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Q. What is the best engineering college?A.Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings (Doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate.#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAThough the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.more$48,452 Tuition and Fees 4,527 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Stanford University Stanford, CAThe sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.more$47,940 Tuition and Fees 6,999 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 University of California--Berkeley Berkeley, CAOverviewUniversity of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,496, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,509 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,191 (2016-17).The University of California—Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Typically, 95 percent or more of incoming freshmen at Berkeley choose to live on campus. There are more than 1,000 student organizations, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford University.Berkeley has 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools, such as the School of Optometry and the Graduate School of Journalism. Other graduate programs offered include those in the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering and School of Law.Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activism: The Free Speech Movement – a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s ban on political activity – gained widespread attention. Notable alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and actor John Cho, known for his role in the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb as scientific director of the Manhattan Project during World War II, was a professor at Berkeley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at University of California--Berkeley is 17:1, and the school has 59.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--Berkeley include: Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and English Language and Literature/Letters. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$40,191 (out-of-state), $13,509 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,496#4 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAOverviewCalifornia Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,001, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $47,577 (2016-17).Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on the eight student houses, which the school describes as "self-governing living groups." Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but around 80 percent of students remain in their house for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech participates in a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 9%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at California Institute of Technology is 3:1, and the school has 62.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Mathematics and Statistics and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$47,577 Tuition and Fees 1,001 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GAOverviewGeorgia Institute of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,142, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 400 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Georgia Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 34. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,212 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,404 (2016-17).Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the field at home games by the Ramblin' Wreck, a restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe. Georgia Tech has a small but vibrant Greek community. Freshmen are offered housing, but aren't required to live on campus. In addition to its campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia Tech has campuses in France, Ireland, Costa Rica, Singapore and China.Georgia Tech has six colleges. Its highly ranked graduate schools include the College of Engineering and Scheller College of Business. Georgia Tech is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with very high research activity. Famous alumni include Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Walmart; Bobby Jones, founder of The Masters golf tournament; and baseball player Nomar Garciaparra. John Heisman was Georgia Tech’s first full-time football coach, and the Heisman Memorial Trophy was named in his honor. The school's newspaper for faculty and staff, The Whistle, is named for the steam whistle in the Tech Tower that blows every hour and each time the Yellow Jackets score a touchdown.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 32%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Georgia Institute of Technology is 19:1, and the school has 38.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Georgia Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96 percent.$32,404 (out-of-state), $12,212 (in-state) 15,142 Undergraduate Enrollment#6 University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILThe University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school’s Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts the largest Greek system in the world, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,000 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.more$31,320 (out-of-state), $15,698 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,368#6 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIThe University of Michigan boasts one of the best college towns in the country: Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from the city of Detroit. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but are not required to live on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate student body is affiliated with Greek life at Michigan, which contains approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. If Greek life does not sound appealing, there are more than 900 other student organizations from which to choose. The Michigan Wolverines have many traditions: Their colors are maize and blue, their widely known chant is "Go Blue!," their stadium is called the "Big House," and their football program, known for its fierce rivalry with Ohio State, is one of the most storied teams in college football.more$43,476 (out-of-state), $13,856 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,312#8 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PACarnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pa., is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science, and fine arts.more$52,040 Tuition and Fees 6,454 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cornell University Ithaca, NYOverviewCornell University is a private institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,315, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 745 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Cornell University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $50,953 (2016-17).Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus, which range from the Big Red Marching Band to the International Affairs Society. First-year students live together on north campus, and the university has housing options for upperclassmen and graduate students, though many choose to live off campus. Cornell has a thriving Greek life, with more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. Cornell has more than 30 NCAA Division I varsity teams that compete in the Ivy League. The Cornell Big Red are perhaps best known for their successful men's lacrosse team, which won nine consecutive Ivy League titles from 2003 to 2011. Cornell also has a strong hockey program.Each of Cornell's 14 colleges and schools admits its own students and provides its own faculty, even though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. Cornell's two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School and Weill Cornell Medical College. Cornell is also well known for its top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine and the highly esteemed School of Hotel Administration. One of Cornell's oldest traditions is Dragon Day, during which a dragon built by first-year architecture students is paraded through campus. Notable alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author E.B. White and Bill Nye, the "Science Guy."Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Cornell University is 9:1, and the school has 56.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Cornell University include: Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,953 Tuition and Fees 14,315 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Purdue University--West Lafayette West Lafayette, INOverviewPurdue University--West Lafayette is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 29,497, its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University--West Lafayette's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 60. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,002 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,804 (2016-17).Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. Nearly 20 percent of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdueoffers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, four jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.Purdue is made up of 12 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through either of the campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.Selectivity: More selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 59%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Purdue University--West Lafayette is 12:1, and the school has 39.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Purdue University--West Lafayette include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences and Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92 percent.$28,804 (out-of-state), $10,002 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,497#11 Princeton University Princeton, NJThe ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.more$45,320 Tuition and Fees 5,402 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 University of Texas--Austin Austin, TXEverything is bigger in Texas, as the saying goes, and it holds true at the University of Texas—Austin, one of the largest schools in the nation. The school has one of the biggest Greek systems in the country, two of the largest student publications and more than 900 clubs and organizations for students. The UT—Austin sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference, supported by mascot Bevo the Longhorn. The UT Tower, a lofty campus structure, is lit in the school’s burnt orange color after notable sports achievements and glows a ‘#1’ when a team wins a national championship. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, and may choose to live in downtown Austin, situated about a quarter mile away. The vibrant city is known for its music, food, outdoor activities and nightlife, and students can travel for free on the capitol Metro buses with proof of ID.more$34,676 (out-of-state), $9,806 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,619#13 Northwestern University Evanston, ILOverviewNorthwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,314, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 231 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Northwestern University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $50,855 (2016-17).What began as farmland and swampland in the 1850s became the Northwestern campus and the city of Evanston, Ill. Northwestern University is a Division I school in the Big Ten athletic conference. Northwestern's women's lacrosse team has won multiple NCAA national championships. The school has hundreds of campus organizations fulfill students' varied interests. Freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing if requested in their applications. The school's 11 residential colleges offer thematic living quarters for social and academic programming. Northwestern's main campuses are located along Lake Michigan in Evanston and Chicago. In 2008, Northwestern opened a third branch in Doha, Qatar.Of Northwestern’s dozen schools, nine offer undergraduate programs and 10 offer graduate and professional programs. Northwestern’s highly-ranked graduate schools include the Kellogg School of Management, the School of Education and Social Policy, the School of Law, the Feinberg School of Medicine, the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program. Northwestern’s Medill School is known for its strong journalism graduate program. Northwestern’s Dance Marathon, created in 1975, is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country and has raised more than $14 million for Chicago-area charities. Notable alumni include the 55th mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel; retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; actor, writer and director Zach Braff; comedian Stephen Colbert; and Tony Award-winning actress Heather Headley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Northwestern University is 7:1, and the school has 77.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Northwestern University include: Economics, General, Psychology, General, Political Science and Government, General and Biology/Biological Sciences, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,855 Tuition and Fees 8,314#14 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDJohns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore, Maryland, that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at Hopkins compete at the Division III level.more$50,410 Tuition and Fees 6,524#14 University of Wisconsin--Madison Madison, WIThe University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in more than 800 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.more$32,738 (out-of-state), $10,488 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,662#16 Texas A&M University--College Station College Station, TXReady to be an Aggie? All students assume the nickname at Texas A&M, an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas. Once an all-men’s school called the Agricultural and Mechanical College - now shortened to A&M - the university today is coed and has offers a wide variety of majors and activities. Students can choose from more than 800 clubs and organizations, including nearly 60 fraternities and sororities. About 10 percent of students go Greek. More students, about 25 percent, play in Texas A&M intramural sports leagues, one of the largest programs in the country. The school’s varsity sports compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, cheered on by mascot Reveille VIII, a collie. Miss Rev, as the collie is known, is also the highest-ranking member in the school’s Cadet Corps, the largest ROTC program in the nation (not including programs at service academies). First-year students interested in community service can get involved right away through the Freshmen in Service and Hosting program (FISH). All students can give back during The Big Event, the largest single-day, student-run volunteer effort in the country in which more than 15,000 Aggies work to improve the nearby cities of College Station and Bryan. For many students, these communities are also home; freshmen are not required to live on campus and many choose to live in College Station or Bryan.more$28,768 (out-of-state), $10,176 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 48,960#16 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VAAt Virginia Tech, a former military institute with its background in the sciences, students are encouraged to “invent the future.” Students are known as Hokies, a term that was the original rally cry when the school was known as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Sports teams, also known as the Hokies, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, and the school mascot is the HokieBird. Virginia Tech is settled in Blacksburg, a typical college town full of restaurants, bars and clubs. Students account for more than half the total residents in Blacksburg, and they dominate the town's public Blacksburg Transit bus system, which is free for Hokies. On campus, students can go bowling, play pool or try out video games in the BreakZONE. There are also more than 600 clubs and organizations, including a large Greek system of more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus, which puts them in close proximity to the school’s renowned dining facilities. Students can order steak and lobster at Virginia Tech’s West End Market, or grab a meal from on-campus chain restaurants, including Au Bon Pain and Pizza Hut.more$29,371 (out-of-state), $12,852 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,384#18 Columbia University New York, NYColumbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.more$55,056 Tuition and Fees 6,102 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Duke University Durham, NCLocated in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.more$51,265 Tuition and Fees 6,639 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Pennsylvania State University--University Park University Park, PAThere is rarely a dull moment on the Pennsylvania State University—University Park campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around 950 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get involved in campus life. The school mascot is the Nittany Lion, and teams compete in the Division I Big 10 Conference. The football team plays in Beaver Stadium, which is one of the largest arenas in North America with room for more than 107,000 fans. Penn State is home to a thriving Greek system with nearly 90 sororities and fraternities. About 15,000 students volunteer in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students raise money for pediatric cancer research and awareness throughout the year and participate in a 46-hour dance marathon - no sitting or sleeping allowed. Freshmen must live in one of five housing areas on campus. Across the street from campus is State College, a bustling small town with an array of coffee shops, restaurants, shops and bars populated mostly by students. Surrounded by mountains, the school is also close to skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities.more$32,382 (out-of-state), $17,900 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 40,742#18 Rice University Houston, TXOverviewRice University is a private institution that was founded in 1912. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,910, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 285 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Rice University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $43,918 (2016-17).Rice University, located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, offers a dynamic student life in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The Rice Coffeehouse, Valhalla Pub and Willy’s Pub are all student-run institutions offering on-campus food and drink. Before stepping foot on campus, all students are assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, of which they remain members even if they decide to move off campus. The residential colleges provide housing, dining, and academic and social events. The Rice Owls boast 14 varsity NCAA Division I athletic teams and are well known for their strong baseball program. Students receive free tickets to all varsity athletic events.Rice is comprised of eight schools, including the School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and George R. Brown School of Engineering. Rice also has a well-regarded School of Architecture and the Shepherd School of Music. Rice is home to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank, which offers coursework, internships and lectures. When a private detective found Rice’s stolen owl mascot at rival school Texas A&M in 1917, he sent a coded message back to Rice students letting them know that "Sammy" was OK, thus bestowing a name on the school’s mascot.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 16%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and the school has 68.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Rice University include: Biochemistry, Psychology, General, Chemical Engineering, Kinesiology and Exercise Science and Mechanical Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$43,918 Tuition and Fees 3,910 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of California--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe University of California—Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers more than 3,000 courses and more than 130 majors to undergraduate students.more$39,518 (out-of-state), $12,836 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,585 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of Washington Seattle, WALocated in the University District neighborhood (known as the U District) just north of downtown Seattle, the University of Washington is a cutting-edge research university with a long-standing history as one of the oldest public institutions on the West Coast. Students can join one of the school’s 500-plus student organizations, including about 50 sororities and fraternities, or can start a brand new club with at least four other students. University of Washington is known as a commuter school, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. Housing is not guaranteed for any student. For those that do reside in the residence halls, the university stresses “living green” through energy conservation and recycling. On the sports fields, the school’s varsity athletes are competitive in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The football team, in particular, is a traditional league stand-out. The teams are represented by two mascots: one, a costumed student known as Harry the Husky Dawg, and the other, Dubs, a live Alaskan husky. The university gym is free for students seeking a workout.more$34,791 (out-of-state), $10,753 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,063#24 University of California--San Diego La Jolla, CAThe University of California—San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the university hosts a thriving Greek community. All freshmen are eligible for guaranteed on-campus housing for two years, but they are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium and is home to the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which tests structures’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes.more$41,387 (out-of-state), $14,705 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,590#24 University of Maryland--College Park College Park, MDLocated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the University of Maryland offers students a suburban lifestyle within easy reach of big-city experiences. The flagship campus in College Park, which has its own subway stop on the D.C.-area Metro transit system, is often considered a commuter school. Accordingly, freshmen do not have to live on campus. There are more than 800 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 35 fraternities and sororities that involve approximately 15 percent of the student population. Students looking for additional activities can visit the university's "Free Stuff @ Maryland" website, which offers a comprehensive listing of presentations, events and movie screenings with no admission charges. Sports also offer yearlong distractions. The Maryland Terrapins compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The mascot, Testudo, is a Diamondback terrapin — a species of turtle that is the official state reptile. One of several Testudo sculptures on campus sits in front of McKeldin Library, and rubbing its nose is thought to bring good luck, particularly before exams.more$32,045 (out-of-state), $10,181 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,443#24 University of Minnesota--Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNThe University of Minnesota stretches across a major city – or two, to be exact. Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are frequently recognized for sports, cleanliness and volunteerism. The school has a campus in each city, though the Minneapolis site is considered the main campus of the University of Minnesota. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but the more than 80 percent who choose to can opt to live in traditional residence halls or one of more than two dozen Living Learning communities, such as the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives House and La Casa De Español. Also on campus are more than 600 student organizations, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. The Minnesota Golden Gophers compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and all athletic events are held in the Minneapolis campus's Stadium Village neighborhood. Goldy Gopher, the school mascot, energizes thousands of student fans as they chant "Ski-U-Mah," a rally cry that means "Victory UM." Under the Four-Year Graduation Plan, the university ensures that all necessary classes will be available for students to complete their degrees on time. If courses are not available in an undergraduate's four years of schooling, the university will pay for the extra credits.more$22,210 (out-of-state), $13,790 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 34,071#24 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAFounded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.more$51,464 Tuition and Fees 9,726 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Harvard University Cambridge, MAHarvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.more$47,074 Tuition and Fees 6,699 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Ohio State University--Columbus Columbus, OHLocated in the state capital of Columbus, The Ohio State University is a sprawling school with seemingly endless opportunities for students to get involved. There are more than 1,000 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 65 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big part of campus life, with the Ohio State Buckeyes competing in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The athletic teams are named after the state tree and cheered on by mascot Brutus Buckeye. The football stadium, which was completed in 1922, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All Ohio State freshmen must live in one of the more than 35 residence halls across campus, unless a student is from Central Ohio and can commute from home. The Ohio State First Year Experience offers freshmen orientation, mentors and special programming to ease the transition into college. Freshmen can also go on the school’s community service spring break, a trip to Chicago that is only open to first-year students. Local community service opportunities are easy to find through the school’s Pay It Forward program, which includes an online listing of volunteer events. Students can also study abroad in more than 40 countries through Ohio State.more$28,229 (out-of-state), $10,037 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 45,289#28 University of California--Davis Davis, CAThe University of California—Davis, one of 10 schools in the University of California system, was originally established as a farm school for UC - Berkeley. Located just 15 miles from Sacramento, UC Davis’s campus contains an airport, fire department and a collection of outdoor sculptures called Eggheads. There are more than 500 student organizations on campus in addition to a sizeable Greek community that comprises about 65 fraternity and sorority chapters. All freshmen are guaranteed housing, and after their first year students typically move off campus or live in university apartments. The UC Davis Aggies field more than 20 NCAA Division I teams, and students can join the Aggie Pack, the largest student spirit organization in the country.more$40,728 (out-of-state), $14,046 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,384#28 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAUndergraduates study in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Southern California, a private school based in Los Angeles. The USC Trojans compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference and are particularly competitive in football.more$52,217 Tuition and Fees 18,810 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 North Carolina State University--Raleigh Raleigh, NCNorth Carolina State University, known as NC State for short, is the largest four-year college in the state. Students have more than 100 degree programs and more than 400 clubs and organizations to choose from.more$26,399 (out-of-state), $8,880 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 24,111#32 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYRensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded on the principles of bringing science to everyday life, and that ethos is still prevalent today. About a quarter of students are involved in Greek L.I.F.E., as the fraternity and sorority scene is known at the school, which stresses Leadership, Innovation, Fortitude and Evolution. More students - about three fourths - play sports at the varsity, club or intramural level. True to the school’s mission, the varsity athletes are known as the Engineers, and compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Liberty League. There are also more than 175 student organizations. Freshmen must live on campus, usually in dormitories that only house first-year students. RPI’s campus, in Troy, N.Y., is nestled in an ideal location for nature lovers. The school overlooks the Hudson River, where waterfront activities abound, and is close to Grafton Lakes State Park, Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. For an urban experience, Albany is 9 miles away.more$50,797 Tuition and Fees 5,864 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 University of California--Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CALocated 100 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the University of California—Santa Barbara sits atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Students can get involved in any of the more than 400 clubs and organizations on campus, including a Greek community that comprises about 10 percent of undergraduate students. UCSB provides housing to about 30 percent of students in eight residence halls and several university apartment complexes.The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos compete primarily in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference and are known for their successful women’s basketball and men’s soccer teams. Non-varsity students can join a club team such as cycling, surfing, rugby or ski and snowboard.more$40,704 (out-of-state), $14,022 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,607#32 University of Colorado--Boulder Boulder, COThe University of Colorado Boulder, called CU­--Boulder for short, lays against the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a lively college town with more than 80 miles of biking and walking trails. In the evenings, students can travel anywhere within the city limits for free in CU NightRide shuttles, which run until 1:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 12:15 a.m. all other nights. On campus, there are more than 300 student clubs and organizations and close to 40 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The student athletes, called Buffs for short, are supported by two buffalo mascots: a costumed student called Chip and a live animal named Ralphie V. The university stresses its commitment to volunteer efforts like Better Boulder Better World, a day of community service in the surrounding neighborhoods. For trips off campus, there are 11 ski slopes within 3 hours of campus, and Rocky Mountain National Park is 45 miles away. A bit closer is Denver, the state capital, where students can catch professional sports matches or concerts in the unique outdoor concert hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre.more$35,079 (out-of-state), $11,531 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,010#32 University of Virginia Charlottesville, VAFounded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses. Greek life is prominent at UVA with a membership that includes approximately 30 percent of the student body. The Cavaliers, known unofficially as Wahoos or ‘Hoos, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference and are well known for their consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.more$45,066 (out-of-state), $15,722 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,736#37 Arizona State University--Tempe Tempe, AZArizona State University’s Tempe campus offers more than 200 research-based programs in the arts, business, engineering and more. The campus is located just outside of Phoenix, in the suburb of Tempe, Arizona.more$25,458 (out-of-state), $10,158 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 41,828#37 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHCase Western Reserve University is known for its world class research, but with more than 150 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved outside the classroom, too. The Case Western Spartans varsity teams compete in the Division III University Athletic Association. The Greek system, which stresses a commitment to on-campus and community service, involves about one third of students. The campus is located about 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland, where students have free access to a handful of downtown museums like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. On campus, freshmen live in one of four themed residential communities, which are called Cedar, Juniper, Magnolia and Mistletoe. All students are invited to the annual SpringFest, a collection of music, carnival games and activities that is the largest student-run event on campus.more$46,006 Tuition and Fees 5,121 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Iowa State University Ames, IAIowa State University dwarfs Ames, the small town in which it resides. The large school offers more than 800 student organizations, and sports are a big part of campus life. The Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and share a special rivalry with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the Cyclones moniker, the school mascot is a cardinal named Cy because a cyclone was hard to put into costume form. There are nearly 50 fraternities and sororities at Iowa State, and most chapters have their own houses. Freshmen do not have to live on campus.There are more than 100 undergraduate majors offered at Iowa State, and, through the Soar in 4 initiative, advisers work with students to ensure they graduate in four years. For a study break, students can take a stroll through the roses in Reiman Gardens or check out more than 2,000 works of art around the campus – one of the largest collections at any school in the country. For trips off campus, Des Moines is 30 minutes away.more$21,483 (out-of-state), $7,969 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 30,034#37 University of Florida Gainesville, FLThe University of Florida is about two miles away from downtown Gainesville, a college town bolstered by the school’s nearly 50,000 students. The Florida Gators sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, and are supported by mascots Albert and Alberta the Alligators. The Gator football team, which competes in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — commonly called the "The Swamp" — is particularly notorious. The team became the namesake of popular sports drink Gatorade in 1966, after freshmen Gators experimented with the novel beverage. The annual Gator Growl, held each Homecoming weekend, has been called the largest student-run pep rally in the world. About 15 percent of students are involved in the school’s 60-plus fraternities and sororities. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, though about 80 percent opt to do so. All students can partake in Gator Nights, held every Friday, which offer free late-night entertainment and a free “midnight breakfast.”more$28,666 (out-of-state), $6,389 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 35,043#37 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INThe University of Notre Dame is a private, independent, Catholic institution in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame’s athletic teams, known as the Fighting Irish, play in the NCAA Division I and are particularly competitive on the football field.more$49,685 Tuition and Fees 8,462 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNVanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. More than 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.more$45,610 Tuition and Fees 6,883 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Yale University New Haven, CTYale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 12 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.more$49,480 Tuition and Fees 5,532 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Brown University Providence, RIAt Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 70 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, R.I. is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.more$51,367 Tuition and Fees 6,652 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Colorado School of Mines Golden, COFor students who want to work in the sciences, opportunities abound at the Colorado School of Mines. A public engineering and applied sciences school in Golden, Colorado, Mines has 14 academic departments, including Mechanical Engineering and Geophysics. The school also offers courses in the Liberal Arts & International Studies and Economics & Business departments. When students aren’t studying, the school’s location is ideal for outdoor recreation. Golden is 13 miles from the state capital of Denver and lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where students can bike, hike and climb. The campus also has a climbing wall for students to test their skills before attempting the Rockies. Cold-weather sports fans can partake in the annual Winter Carnival, a student-run affair packed with skiing and snowboarding at a local resort. The Mines sports teams, known as the Orediggers, compete in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which is mostly made up of other teams from Colorado. The school mascot is Blaster the burro, and a giant "M" emblazoned onto nearby Mount Zion signifies the school spirit. There are more than 140 student clubs and organizations, including seven fraternities and three sororities. First-year students are required to live on campus. Even the student newspaper, The Oredigger, is decidedly science based; sections include weekly roundups of new discoveries and a Geek of the Week feature.more$34,828 (out-of-state), $17,383 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,608#44 Dartmouth College Hanover, NHDartmouth College, a private institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, uses quarters, not semesters, to divide the school year. Among more than 300 student organizations at Dartmouth is the Outing Club, the nation's oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind, which offers outdoor activities, expeditions, gear rentals and courses.more$51,438 Tuition and Fees 4,307 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PALehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pa., 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 75 miles west of New York City. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are members of the Patriot League, and compete in 25 NCAA Division I sports. Their biggest athletic rivalry is Lafayette College, located less than 20 miles away. A third of the student body is involved in fraternities and sororities. All freshmen are required to live on campus, and sophomores are also required to live on campus in a residence hall or Greek housing. Lehigh’s main campus is located on the wooded slope of South Mountain, and half of the campus is preserved as open space.more$48,320 Tuition and Fees 5,075 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 University of California--Irvine Irvine, CAOn the sunny campus of the University of California—Irvine, students don't have far to go to decompress after class. The Pacific Ocean is a quick 5-mile trip away, attracting surfers, sailors and sunbathers alike. Seated in Orange County, the bustling campus is home to more than 500 student organizations, including nearly 50 fraternities and sororities. The UC—Irvine Anteaters compete at the Division I level in the Big West Conference, cheered on by non-traditional mascot Peter the Anteater and a group of student fans called Eater Nation. While UC Irvine is known as a commuter school, university officials have tried to combat that status by offering more on-campus residence options. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but more than three-fourths of first-year students choose to do so. Getting around UC Irvine is easy with the school's ZotWheels, a fleet of blue and gold bicycles that students can pick up and ride to four campus locations. Commuters looking to be more energy efficient can carpool to campus with other students through the university's Zimride Rideshare Community.more$39,458 (out-of-state), $14,750 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,256#44 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MOStudents can study architecture, art, arts and sciences, business, and engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, a private research institution in Missouri. Outside of class, about a quarter of the student body is involved in Greek life.more$49,770 Tuition and Fees 7,504 Undergraduate Enrollment#50 Michigan State University East Lansing, MIMichigan State University is a powerhouse institution located in the college town of East Lansing. Downtown, students can choose from dining and nightlife options, and the city is also home to the Great Lakes Folk Festival. Lake Michigan and its beaches are a short trip away, as is the state capital of Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, supported by award-winning mascot Sparty. There are more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including more than 55 fraternities and sororities. Members of the Greek community are active in the local community through events like Safe Halloween, an annual carnival for children in East Lansing. All students can get involved in service-learning and volunteer projects throughout East Lansing like Fill the Bus, an annual campaign to stuff a Spartan-green school bus full of food and school supplies for underprivileged children. The university is home to one of the largest single-campus residence hall systems in the country, and freshmen must live on campus unless they reside with a family member no more than 50 miles from school. To study farther afield, students can take advantage of more than 260 study abroad programs.more$39,090 (out-of-state), $14,070 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,143#50 University of Arizona Tucson, AZThe University of Arizona offers its students a wide variety of ways to get involved, from joining the ZonaZoo cheering section at Wildcats sports games to checking out the burgeoning Greek scene with more than 30 fraternities and sororities.more$30,025 (out-of-state), $10,872 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,732#50 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PALocated in the Oakland neighborhood, Pitt’s campus is a 3-mile trip from bustling downtown Pittsburgh. The city is home to powerhouse professional sports teams, such as the Steelers and Penguins, and dozens of unique cultural centers, like the Andy Warhol Museum and Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Pitt students get free admission to these and other select museums throughout the school year. Because Pittsburgh is bordered by three rivers, kayaking, sailing and fishing opportunities are plentiful. City buses stop every 10 to 15 minutes on campus, and students can ride public transportation into the city for free with school ID. Freshmen do not have to live on campus. Pitt has a sizeable Greek community of about 35 fraternities and sororities. Students in Arts and Sciences majors can earn hands-on credits in internships, research and teaching with the help of the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. The Pittsburgh Panthers sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. Pitt students are notorious for their avid support at sporting events, particularly for forming a riotous cheering section known as the Oakland Zoo at basketball games. Students who attend the most home sporting events get priority purchasing when game tickets are in high demand through the school’s Loyalty Points system.more$29,758 (out-of-state), $18,618 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 18,908Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Rankings (No doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor's or master's.#1 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INRose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Ind., offers a number of activities and organizations to help students get involved on campus. There are more than 80 student clubs, ranging from the EcoCAR challenge team to the Rose-Hulman Drama Club. Other prominent performance groups include the chorus and jazz band. There is a significant Greek system on campus comprising more than 40 percent of the student body. Rose-Hulman fields a number of NCAA Division III athletic teams, including football, basketball, soccer, and cross country. The Sports and Recreation Center, a state-of-the-art athletic facility, serves as a center of student activity and as the summer training camp for the NFL Indianapolis Colts. Rose-Hulman provides housing to all students in its residence halls.more$44,010 Tuition and Fees 2,270 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAOverviewHarvey Mudd College is a private institution that was founded in 1955. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 815, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 33 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Harvey Mudd College's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 21. Its tuition and fees are $52,916 (2016-17).Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, Calif., 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Harvey Mudd is one of the country’s top math, science and engineering undergraduate colleges. The school offers a variety of student organizations on campus, from the break-dancing club to the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club, among others. The college does not recognize national fraternities or sororities on campus. Harvey Mudd competes in a joint intercollegiate athletics program with Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College, fielding NCAA Division III varsity sports for men and women in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. As a residential college, freshmen are required to live on campus, and 99 percent of students remain on campus in one of the eight dormitories.Harvey Mudd College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in math, science and engineering majors. The school is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which includes Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. The school was founded by Harvey S. Mudd, a successful mining engineer. A well-known annual school tradition is Foster’s Run, organized by the Gonzo Unicycle Madness club, during which unicyclists ride to a local donut shop. Notable alumni include astronauts George Nelson and Stan Love, as well as former U.S. diplomat and current Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Richard H. Jones.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Harvey Mudd College is 9:1, and the school has 59.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Harvey Mudd College include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Engineering, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Statistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98 percent.$52,916 Tuition and Fees 815 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Needham, MAFranklin W. Olin College of Engineering is located in Needham, Mass., just 14 miles west of Boston and next to the campus of Babson College. Nearly all students live on campus in either of the two residence halls, which offer housing in traditional doubles or suites. Olin’s "Passionate Pursuits" program enables students to pursue their interests with guidance from a faculty sponsor and funding from the college; some examples include scuba certification, Irish dance, and jazz improvisation. There are also a number of student clubs and organizations ranging from an Anti Gravity Club to the Olin Dance Project. Central to Olin’s community of trust is the Honor Code, which dictates that students must act with honor and integrity.more$47,330 Tuition and Fees370 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 United States Military Academy West Point, NYThe United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is the oldest of the country’s five federal service academies. The public school is located in West Point, N.Y., where graduates earn a bachelor of science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,348 Undergraduate Enrollment#5 California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAJust a 30-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean, California Polytechnic State University is located 200 miles from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Although Cal Poly students can choose from nearly 70 degrees, engineering is the most popular major, with 50 student organizations dedicated specifically to that field.more$20,235 (out-of-state), $9,075 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,049#5 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDThe United States Naval Academy is a public school located in the waterfront town of Annapolis, Maryland. Students, known as midshipmen, are officers in training, and tuition is fully funded by the U.S. Navy in return for active-duty service after graduation.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,525 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PABucknell University, located in the small town of Lewisburg, Pa., is conveniently situated about three hours from New York, Washington and Philadelphia. Nearly 90 percent of undergraduates live on campus in traditional residence halls, substance-free housing or small house communities, among other options. With more than 150 clubs and organizations on campus, students can participate in a wide range of activities. There is sizable Greek community on campus comprising more than half of sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Bucknell Bison, as the school’s athletic teams are called, field more than 25 varsity teams in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Bucknell’s athletic facilities include an Olympic-sized pool, 18-hole golf course and state-of-the-art fitness center.more$51,960 Tuition and Fees 3,569 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COThe United States Air Force Academy, commonly called Air Force, is a military service academy located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., about 60 miles from Denver. Students at Air Force, called cadets, adhere to a strict daily schedule that does not allow for much free time, though there are a number of extracurricular clubs and activities. Incoming cadets attend a five-week training program intended to prepare them for military life. Cadets are required to participate in athletics — either intercollegiate or intramural — and must pass a fitness test every semester. The Fighting Falcons, Air Force’s athletic teams, compete in NCAA’s Division I and are known for their traditional rivalries with fellow service academies Armyand Navy.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,111 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cooper Union New York, NYThe Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to as Cooper Union, is located in New York's East Village neighborhood. Cooper Union has a number of student organizations, ranging from special interest groups, such as the Culinary Society and the Outdoors Club, to religious and performance groups. The one university residence hall is intended to help students transition from living away from home for the first time to renting a private apartment. Cooper Union fields several intercollegiate athletic teams, including men's and women's basketball, soccer and tennis.more$43,850 Tuition and Fees 901 Undergraduate Enrollment#10 Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee School of Engineering, known as MSOE, is located in downtown Milwaukee next to both the historic East Town and the Theater District and just a few blocks from Lake Michigan. Student organizations at MSOE fall into one of seven categories: government, Greek, honors societies, professional, religious, service, and special interest. Intramural sports, including football, volleyball, broomball, and dodgeball, are popular activities among students. MSOE’s varsity athletic teams, the Raiders, compete in NCAA Division III sports. The Kern Center athletic facility houses an ice rink, basketball arena, indoor track, fitness center, and field house. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus in one of the three coed residence halls. Annual campus traditions include Constitution and Citizenship Week, Raider Week for school spirit, and St. Patrick’s Week.more$37,980 Tuition and Fees 2,712 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 California State Polytechnic University--Pomona Pomona, CAThe official motto of California State Polytechnic University—Pomona translates to “Application of Knowledge,” and students have many opportunities to learn by doing outside of the classroom. Notable alumni include Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the first Latina to serve in the U.S. cabinet.more$18,136 (out-of-state), $6,976 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 22,157#12 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CTThe United States Coast Guard Academy is a military service academy located in New London, Connecticut, overlooking the Thames River. Following a practice observed at most U.S. service academies, Coast Guard students are referred to as cadets, indicating their position as military trainees. Incoming cadets are required to participate in Swab Summer, a seven-week military training program. Student life is highly regimented at the Coast Guard Academy, with military training, study periods and athletic activities all built into the daily schedule. The academy's intercollegiate athletic teams compete primarily in NCAA Division III sports. Music groups such as the Glee Club, Gospel Choir and NiteCaps Jazz Band are popular among students.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 898 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 The Citadel Charleston, SCThe Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is situated just a few miles from downtown Charleston. Students who enroll at The Citadel become members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, so much of student life, from the strict rules to the varsity rifle team, has a military feel.more$31,780 (out-of-state), $11,364 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,671#13 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott Prescott, AZFounded in 1926, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott is a private institution.$33,826 Tuition and Fees 2,205 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Kettering University Flint, MIFounded in 1919, Kettering University is a private institution. The school has 57.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Kettering University is 14:1.more$39,790 Tuition and Fees 1,841 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Lafayette College Easton, PANestled in the College Hill neighborhood of Easton, Pa., is Lafayette College, a liberal arts institution. Easton is a small city about 60 miles from Philadelphia and 70 from New York City. One perk of living in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley: in warm months, students can load up on fresh produce each Saturday at the Easton Farmer’s Market, billed as the nation’s oldest continuous open-air market. In the winter, students can go skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Pocono Mountains. The campus has its own indoor rock-climbing wall and on-campus night club called The Spot for year-round fun. There are around 200 student organizations, including a popular Greek system of close to a dozen fraternities and sororities. Each fraternity and sorority has a house on campus for member students. Freshmen must live on campus at the residential college, and so must sophomores, juniors and most seniors. About 70 seniors who apply to move off campus will be approved each year. The Lafayette Leopards compete in the NCAA Division I Patriot League, and the football team has a notorious rival with Lehigh University’s squad. Students kick off the year with the President’s Ball, a formal dance, and end the year with All-College Day, a campus-wide celebration with music and food. Students can grab a bite after, too, when faculty members serve them Midnight Breakfast.more$48,885 Tuition and Fees 2,533 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CALoyola Marymount University—the largest Catholic university on the West Coast—is located in Los Angeles. LMU provides housing to more than 3,000 students in its residence halls, apartments, and houses. There are about 150 student clubs and organizations on campus, including nearly 15 Greek chapters. Students interested in media can join the radio station; The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student newspaper; The Tower, a university yearbook; or ROAR Network, a television channel. The Loyola Marymount Lions field a number of Division I athletic teams and compete in the West Coast Conference. Club sports like the surfing, rugby, and ski and snowboard are also popular among students.more$44,238 Tuition and Fees 6,259 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Smith College Northampton, MASmith College, a private school in Northampton, Mass., is one of the largest liberal arts schools for women in the country. Students live in group houses, not dormitories, at Smith.more$47,904 Tuition and Fees 2,478 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAAbout 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.more$49,104 Tuition and Fees 1,581 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 University of San Diego San Diego, CAThe University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution open to students of all faiths. The school overlooks Mission Bay, and downtown San Diego is about a 15-minute trip away. On campus, there are more than 100 student organizations, including more than 10 fraternities and sororities. Most of the San Diego Torero sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; the football team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Pioneer League. Athletic teams are cheered on by the school's mascot, a costumed bullfighter named Diego Torero. The University Ministry coordinates retreats and immersion trips and hosts daily Mass services, including a special Mass for Peace on Wednesday nights.After class, students can relax at nearby beaches, like La Jolla and Pacific Beach, or explore Balboa Park, the biggest urban cultural park in the country, which is home to 15 museums, the San Diego Zoo and the Old Globe Theatre. Opportunities to kayak, sail, wind surf and more are nearby. Students can join group excursions, led by the school’s Outdoor Adventures program, or rent kayaks, surfboards and snorkel equipment on campus for trips on their own. Freshmen must live on campus, and for students around on the weekends, the school hosts a Friday Night Movies series.more$46,140 Tuition and Fees 5,647 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, INLocated in northwest Indiana, Valparaiso University is a private, Lutheran institution at which students are encouraged to volunteer and serve their community. Valparaiso students can get involved through many campus ministries, Division I sports, and the local Popcorn Festival.more$37,450 Tuition and Fees 3,179 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Gonzaga University Spokane, WAGonzaga University is a private, Roman Catholic institution that is open to students of all faiths. Residing along the Spokane River, it is less than half a mile to downtown Spokane, Wash. On campus, there are more than 95 active clubs for students to choose from. Intramural sports are very popular at Gonzaga, with more than 60 percent of the student body participating. The Bulldogs of Gonzaga are part of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference. The men’s basketball team is the pride and joy of the university, and the team has returned the love by winning more than 90 percent of its games at the school’s McCarthey Athletic Center. At Gonzaga, students are required to live on campus during their first two years, but the university has stated that on-campus housing is not guaranteed for an entire college career. Students interested in outdoor pursuits can journey to the 100-acre Riverfront Park and go ice skating in the winter or check out the sky ride over the falls. They can also explore the Spokane River Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail perfect for walking, running, skating, or biking.more$39,730 Tuition and Fees 5,041 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Rowan University Glassboro, NJFounded in 1923, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University offers a Greek system, where 5 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 4 percent is involved in a fraternity.more$20,978 (out-of-state), $12,864 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 13,169#22 San Jose State University San Jose, CAStudents who attend San Jose State University, or SJSU, are situated in the scenic California Bay Area and booming Silicon Valley. The campus is located in downtown San Jose, and there are a variety of on-campus housing options, including student apartments and suites. Freshmen are not guaranteed university housing, though there is usually enough room for all who apply. There are more than 350 student organizations to check out at SJSU, as well as a Greek system that prides itself on its diversity. Students can also get involved by joining or cheering on the school’s Spartans athletics squads, which compete in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. The San Jose State football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.For graduate students, the school offers programs through the Lucas Graduate School of Business, among other schools. The university also operates unique research centers that study the lives and works of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and legendary composer Beethoven. About three fourths of SJSU alumni stay in the Bay Area after graduation. Some of the school’s most notable graduates include musician Stevie Nicks and author Amy Tan. More than a dozen Olympic medalists have also graduated from SJSU, including runner Lee Evans and boxer Chuck Adkins.more$13,066 (out-of-state), $9,284 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,822#25 Bradley University Peoria, ILLocated in Peoria, Ill., Bradley University gives its students many opportunities to participate in both academic and recreational activities. Career and entrepreneurship centers help students learn, and around 250 student organizations help students have fun.more$32,120 Tuition and Fees 4,439 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYFounded in 1966, SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public institution.$17,740 (out-of-state), $7,890 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,082#25 Trinity University San Antonio, TXTrinity University overlooks downtown San Antonio, home to the Alamo, four professional sports teams including the NBA Spurs, and more than 175 city parks and recreation areas. Not to be ignored: San Antonio has on average 300 days of sunshine per year. Students can get involved in any of the more than 115 campus organizations ranging from the Loon-E Hip-Hop Dance Crew to the Entrepreneurship Club. A thriving Greek community at Trinity represents about a quarter of the undergraduate student body and consists of mainly local chapters. Nearly 80 percent of students live on campus in one of the residence halls, and there are designated areas on campus for freshmen and sophomore housing. The Trinity Tigers compete in Division III and are known for their strong tennis program.more$39,560 Tuition and Fees 2,273 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 Union College Schenectady, NYSchool life is split into three 10 week terms, or trimesters, at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. On the trimester schedule, students take three classes per term and have an extended winter break. All freshmen, who live in residence halls, are randomly assigned to one of seven Minerva Houses, an academic and social community. Upper-class students and faculty can reside in this community. All students can take classes and participate in extracurricular activities in the houses. Each house has its own kitchen for students who want to cook their own meals. There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations, including more than 15 fraternities and sororities. Most Union sports teams, called Dutchmen, compete in the NCAA Division III Liberty League. The Union men’s and women’s ice hockey teams compete in the Division I ECAC Conference Hockey League. The school mascot is a costumed man known as Dutch. Students can volunteer in the revitalizations efforts going on in downtown Schenectady. New York is about 150 miles away, and more than 60 percent of students travel abroad before graduation. Union College’s global offerings include year programs, trimester stays and three-week trips known as mini-breaks. Each year, students celebrate the changing seasons at Springfest, a day of concerts by famous performers like Sean Kingston and Matt Nathanson.more$51,696 Tuition and Fees 2,269 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NYThe United States Merchant Marine Academy, also called USMMA or Kings Point, is located in Kings Point, New York, about 20 miles east of New York City. It is one of the five U.S. service academies. Incoming students, known as plebes, undergo a two-week indoctrination program known as "Indoc," which prepares them for the Merchant Marine Academy lifestyle. Upon entering the academy after Indoc, midshipmen can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Trident Scuba Diving Club, Glee Club, Regimental Band and Hear This, the student newspaper. USMMA fields a number of men's and women's NCAA Division III athletic teams, and all students are expected to participate either in varsity, club or intramural sports.moreN/A (out-of-state), $2,214 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 904#25 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VALocated in Lexington, Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state-supported military college in the United States. Students admitted to the college are known as military cadets and are required to participate in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Unlike the federal service academies, Virginia Military Institute cadets are not required to serve in the military upon graduation. Cadets have about 80 academic, professional and social clubs and organizations to choose from upon entering the college.Freshmen admitted to VMI are immediately exposed to the Rat Line, which is a system designed to create equality among all cadets and prepare them mentally and physically for their career in the Corps. This is done through a series of team-building exercises and stringent regulations. The housing situation is very different from most universities' campuses. In the Barracks, cadets live modestly, with limited space and multiple other occupants, and are expected to maintain cleanliness and order at all times. The Virginia Military Institute Keydets participate in 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs and are members of the Southern Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.more$41,801 (out-of-state), $17,492 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 1,717#31 LeTourneau University Longview, TXFounded in 1946, LeTourneau University is a private institution. LeTourneau University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.more$28,480 Tuition and Fees 2,286 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Miami University--Oxford Oxford, OHMiami University students make up nearly half the population of the approximately 7-square-mile town of Oxford, Ohio. Freshmen must live on campus, which is also home to more than 500 student organizations. The Greek system constitutes a large part of campus life, with about a third of the student body involved in more than 50 fraternities and sororities. In fact, the school often gets the moniker “Mother of Fraternities” because the Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Chi organizations were founded at Miami University. The school is also known as the "Cradle of Coaches" for the number of professional and collegiate coaches who once competed for Miami. The RedHawks, who compete in the Division I Mid-American Conference, were known as the Redskins until 1997. The name was changed after years of controversy and a request from the Miami Indian Tribe. (The tribe is the namesake of the university.) To help ease the transition into freshman year, older students often create a guide to life at Miami University, called the "M Book." Student couples who marry are known as "Miami Mergers" and are reminded of their alma mater each Valentine's Day, when the admissions office sends cards to congratulate former students on finding love at school.more$31,592 (out-of-state), $14,288 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,387#31 Ohio Northern University Ada, OHLocated in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a private school with small classes and many student organizations. Examples of ONU clubs include several fraternities and sororities and a committee that plans events for the rest of the student body.more$29,820 Tuition and Fees 2,401 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Seattle University Seattle, WASeattle University is a private institution that has a strong focus on its Jesuit mission. Most Seattle students volunteer through programs such as the Children’s Literacy Project, which allows them to tutor children in local schools.more$41,265 Tuition and Fees 4,711 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 Brigham Young University--Idaho Rexburg, IDBrigham Young University--Idaho is a private institution.$3,830 Tuition and Fees N/A Undergraduate Enrollment#35 California State University--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe California State University—Los Angeles, also known as Cal State LA or CSULA, operates on a quarter system. The campus is close to public transportation stops, making it convenient for commuters.more$17,505 (out-of-state), $6,345 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 23,439#35 Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORLocated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the Oregon Institute of Technology is a public school with strong engineering programs and a focus on sustainable, renewable energy. Students can take advantage of OIT's scenery and enjoy outdoor activities such as snowboarding, deep-sea fishing and skydiving.more$27,326 (out-of-state), $9,625 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,730#35 University of Minnesota--Duluth Duluth, MNFounded in 1947, University of Minnesota--Duluth is a public institution. The school has 34.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Duluth is 17:1.more$17,032 (out-of-state), $13,082 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 9,837#35 University of Portland Portland, ORA private, Catholic school in northwest Oregon, the University of Portland offers many attractions both on and off campus. Students can check out university clubs and sports or venture to the nearby Portland Art Museum, Oregon Zoo or Alberta Arts District.more$42,014 Tuition and Fees 3,770 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 University of St. Thomas St. Paul, MNFounded in 1885, University of St. Thomas is a private institution. University of St. Thomas follows a 4-1-4-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.more$39,594 Tuition and Fees 6,240 Undergraduate Enrollment

Q. What is better Caltech, Cornell, Berkeley, Rice, Purdue, Northwestern, UCSD, UCLA, UCSB, USC, Harvey Mudd, Illinois U, UWash or GTech for Engineering?I am choosing my undergraduate school in the next weeks. I am admitted in the Engineering schools (when applicable) and my interest is in Materials Science and Nano.A. I am not an engineer. The following are the US News rankings of undergraduate engineering programs for schools offering doctorate and for those that do not. Of the schools on your list, Harvey Mudd is the only one not offering doctorates. These schools are ranked not specific to Materials Science and Nanotechnology.Caltech #4, Cornell #9, Berkeley #3, Rice #18, Purdue #9, Northwestern #13, UCSD #24, UCLA #18, UCSB #32, USC #28, Harvey Mudd #2 non-doctorate, Illinois U #6, UWash #18 or GTech #4Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs Rankings (Doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate.#1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAThough the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.more$48,452 Tuition and Fees 4,527 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Stanford University Stanford, CAThe sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.more$47,940 Tuition and Fees 6,999 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 University of California--Berkeley Berkeley, CAOverviewUniversity of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,496, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,509 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,191 (2016-17).The University of California—Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Typically, 95 percent or more of incoming freshmen at Berkeley choose to live on campus. There are more than 1,000 student organizations, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with dozens of fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford University.Berkeley has 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools, such as the School of Optometry and the Graduate School of Journalism. Other graduate programs offered include those in the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering and School of Law.Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activism: The Free Speech Movement – a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s ban on political activity – gained widespread attention. Notable alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and actor John Cho, known for his role in the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, who worked on the development of the atomic bomb as scientific director of the Manhattan Project during World War II, was a professor at Berkeley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at University of California--Berkeley is 17:1, and the school has 59.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--Berkeley include: Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and English Language and Literature/Letters. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$40,191 (out-of-state), $13,509 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,496#4 California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAOverviewCalifornia Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,001, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $47,577 (2016-17).Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, California, approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on the eight student houses, which the school describes as "self-governing living groups." Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but around 80 percent of students remain in their house for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech participates in a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 9%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at California Institute of Technology is 3:1, and the school has 62.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Mathematics and Statistics and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$47,577 Tuition and Fees 1,001 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GAOverviewGeorgia Institute of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,142, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 400 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Georgia Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 34. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,212 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $32,404 (2016-17).Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the field at home games by the Ramblin' Wreck, a restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe. Georgia Tech has a small but vibrant Greek community. Freshmen are offered housing, but aren't required to live on campus. In addition to its campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia Tech has campuses in France, Ireland, Costa Rica, Singapore and China.Georgia Tech has six colleges. Its highly ranked graduate schools include the College of Engineering and Scheller College of Business. Georgia Tech is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with very high research activity. Famous alumni include Mike Duke, former president and CEO of Walmart; Bobby Jones, founder of The Masters golf tournament; and baseball player Nomar Garciaparra. John Heisman was Georgia Tech’s first full-time football coach, and the Heisman Memorial Trophy was named in his honor. The school's newspaper for faculty and staff, The Whistle, is named for the steam whistle in the Tech Tower that blows every hour and each time the Yellow Jackets score a touchdown.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 32%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Georgia Institute of Technology is 19:1, and the school has 38.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Georgia Institute of Technology include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 96 percent.$32,404 (out-of-state), $12,212 (in-state) 15,142 Undergraduate Enrollment#6 University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign Champaign, ILThe University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school’s Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts the largest Greek system in the world, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,000 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.more$31,320 (out-of-state), $15,698 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,368#6 University of Michigan--Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIThe University of Michigan boasts one of the best college towns in the country: Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from the city of Detroit. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but are not required to live on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate student body is affiliated with Greek life at Michigan, which contains approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. If Greek life does not sound appealing, there are more than 900 other student organizations from which to choose. The Michigan Wolverines have many traditions: Their colors are maize and blue, their widely known chant is "Go Blue!," their stadium is called the "Big House," and their football program, known for its fierce rivalry with Ohio State, is one of the most storied teams in college football.more$43,476 (out-of-state), $13,856 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,312#8 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PACarnegie Mellon University, a private institution in Pittsburgh, Pa., is the country’s only school founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The school specializes in academic areas including engineering, business, computer science, and fine arts.more$52,040 Tuition and Fees 6,454 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cornell University Ithaca, NYOverviewCornell University is a private institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,315, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 745 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Cornell University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $50,953 (2016-17).Cornell University, located in Ithaca, New York, has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus, which range from the Big Red Marching Band to the International Affairs Society. First-year students live together on north campus, and the university has housing options for upperclassmen and graduate students, though many choose to live off campus. Cornell has a thriving Greek life, with more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. Cornell has more than 30 NCAA Division I varsity teams that compete in the Ivy League. The Cornell Big Red are perhaps best known for their successful men's lacrosse team, which won nine consecutive Ivy League titles from 2003 to 2011. Cornell also has a strong hockey program.Each of Cornell's 14 colleges and schools admits its own students and provides its own faculty, even though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. Cornell's two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School and Weill Cornell Medical College. Cornell is also well known for its top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine and the highly esteemed School of Hotel Administration. One of Cornell's oldest traditions is Dragon Day, during which a dragon built by first-year architecture students is paraded through campus. Notable alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author E.B. White and Bill Nye, the "Science Guy."Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 15%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Cornell University is 9:1, and the school has 56.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Cornell University include: Engineering, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services and Social Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,953 Tuition and Fees 14,315 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Purdue University--West Lafayette West Lafayette, INOverviewPurdue University--West Lafayette is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 29,497, its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University--West Lafayette's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 60. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,002 (2016-17); out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,804 (2016-17).Purdue University's West Lafayette, Indiana, campus is the main campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. Nearly 20 percent of students are affiliated with Greek life, and Purdue offers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, four jazz bands and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.Purdue is made up of 12 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education and College of Pharmacy. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through either of the campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.Selectivity: More selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 59%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Purdue University--West Lafayette is 12:1, and the school has 39.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Purdue University--West Lafayette include: Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences and Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92 percent.$28,804 (out-of-state), $10,002 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,497#11 Princeton University Princeton, NJThe ivy-covered campus of Princeton University, a private institution, is located in the quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton was the first university to offer a "no loan" policy to financially needy students, giving grants instead of loans to accepted students who need help paying tuition.more$45,320 Tuition and Fees 5,402 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 University of Texas--Austin Austin, TXEverything is bigger in Texas, as the saying goes, and it holds true at the University of Texas—Austin, one of the largest schools in the nation. The school has one of the biggest Greek systems in the country, two of the largest student publications and more than 900 clubs and organizations for students. The UT—Austin sports teams are notorious competitors in the Division I Big 12 Conference, supported by mascot Bevo the Longhorn. The UT Tower, a lofty campus structure, is lit in the school’s burnt orange color after notable sports achievements and glows a ‘#1’ when a team wins a national championship. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, and may choose to live in downtown Austin, situated about a quarter mile away. The vibrant city is known for its music, food, outdoor activities and nightlife, and students can travel for free on the capitol Metro buses with proof of ID.more$34,676 (out-of-state), $9,806 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,619#13 Northwestern University Evanston, ILOverviewNorthwestern University is a private institution that was founded in 1851. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,314, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 231 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Northwestern University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 12. Its tuition and fees are $50,855 (2016-17).What began as farmland and swampland in the 1850s became the Northwestern campus and the city of Evanston, Ill. Northwestern University is a Division I school in the Big Ten athletic conference. Northwestern's women's lacrosse team has won multiple NCAA national championships. The school has hundreds of campus organizations fulfill students' varied interests. Freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing if requested in their applications. The school's 11 residential colleges offer thematic living quarters for social and academic programming. Northwestern's main campuses are located along Lake Michigan in Evanston and Chicago. In 2008, Northwestern opened a third branch in Doha, Qatar.Of Northwestern’s dozen schools, nine offer undergraduate programs and 10 offer graduate and professional programs. Northwestern’s highly-ranked graduate schools include the Kellogg School of Management, the School of Education and Social Policy, the School of Law, the Feinberg School of Medicine, the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Interdepartmental Biological Sciences Program. Northwestern’s Medill School is known for its strong journalism graduate program. Northwestern’s Dance Marathon, created in 1975, is one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the country and has raised more than $14 million for Chicago-area charities. Notable alumni include the 55th mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel; retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens; actor, writer and director Zach Braff; comedian Stephen Colbert; and Tony Award-winning actress Heather Headley.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Northwestern University is 7:1, and the school has 77.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Northwestern University include: Economics, General, Psychology, General, Political Science and Government, General and Biology/Biological Sciences, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$50,855 Tuition and Fees 8,314#14 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDJohns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore, Maryland, that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at Hopkins compete at the Division III level.more$50,410 Tuition and Fees 6,524#14 University of Wisconsin--Madison Madison, WIThe University of Wisconsin—Madison lies along the southern shore of Lake Mendota in the city of Madison. The Wisconsin Badgers compete in more than 20 NCAA Division I sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. Students can get involved in more than 800 organizations on campus. There is also an active Greek life and social scene on campus, evident in Wisconsin’s reputation as one of the top party schools in the country. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but many choose to do so. Students can opt to live in one of several residential communities where they learn and live with other students and faculty.more$32,738 (out-of-state), $10,488 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,662#16 Texas A&M University--College Station College Station, TXReady to be an Aggie? All students assume the nickname at Texas A&M, an academic and athletic powerhouse in central Texas. Once an all-men’s school called the Agricultural and Mechanical College - now shortened to A&M - the university today is coed and has offers a wide variety of majors and activities. Students can choose from more than 800 clubs and organizations, including nearly 60 fraternities and sororities. About 10 percent of students go Greek. More students, about 25 percent, play in Texas A&M intramural sports leagues, one of the largest programs in the country. The school’s varsity sports compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, cheered on by mascot Reveille VIII, a collie. Miss Rev, as the collie is known, is also the highest-ranking member in the school’s Cadet Corps, the largest ROTC program in the nation (not including programs at service academies). First-year students interested in community service can get involved right away through the Freshmen in Service and Hosting program (FISH). All students can give back during The Big Event, the largest single-day, student-run volunteer effort in the country in which more than 15,000 Aggies work to improve the nearby cities of College Station and Bryan. For many students, these communities are also home; freshmen are not required to live on campus and many choose to live in College Station or Bryan.more$28,768 (out-of-state), $10,176 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 48,960#16 Virginia Tech Blacksburg, VAAt Virginia Tech, a former military institute with its background in the sciences, students are encouraged to “invent the future.” Students are known as Hokies, a term that was the original rally cry when the school was known as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. Sports teams, also known as the Hokies, compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference, and the school mascot is the HokieBird. Virginia Tech is settled in Blacksburg, a typical college town full of restaurants, bars and clubs. Students account for more than half the total residents in Blacksburg, and they dominate the town's public Blacksburg Transit bus system, which is free for Hokies. On campus, students can go bowling, play pool or try out video games in the BreakZONE. There are also more than 600 clubs and organizations, including a large Greek system of more than 50 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus, which puts them in close proximity to the school’s renowned dining facilities. Students can order steak and lobster at Virginia Tech’s West End Market, or grab a meal from on-campus chain restaurants, including Au Bon Pain and Pizza Hut.more$29,371 (out-of-state), $12,852 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,384#18 Columbia University New York, NYColumbia University has three undergraduate schools: Columbia College, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and the School of General Studies. This Ivy League, private school guarantees students housing for all four years on campus in Manhattan’s Morningside Heights neighborhood in New York City.more$55,056 Tuition and Fees 6,102 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Duke University Durham, NCLocated in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.more$51,265 Tuition and Fees 6,639 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 Pennsylvania State University--University Park University Park, PAThere is rarely a dull moment on the Pennsylvania State University—University Park campus, also known as Happy Valley. With around 950 clubs and organizations, there are broad opportunities to get involved in campus life. The school mascot is the Nittany Lion, and teams compete in the Division I Big 10 Conference. The football team plays in Beaver Stadium, which is one of the largest arenas in North America with room for more than 107,000 fans. Penn State is home to a thriving Greek system with nearly 90 sororities and fraternities. About 15,000 students volunteer in THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Students raise money for pediatric cancer research and awareness throughout the year and participate in a 46-hour dance marathon - no sitting or sleeping allowed. Freshmen must live in one of five housing areas on campus. Across the street from campus is State College, a bustling small town with an array of coffee shops, restaurants, shops and bars populated mostly by students. Surrounded by mountains, the school is also close to skiing, snowboarding and hiking opportunities.more$32,382 (out-of-state), $17,900 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 40,742#18 Rice University Houston, TXOverviewRice University is a private institution that was founded in 1912. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,910, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 285 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Rice University's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 15. Its tuition and fees are $43,918 (2016-17).Rice University, located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, offers a dynamic student life in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The Rice Coffeehouse, Valhalla Pub and Willy’s Pub are all student-run institutions offering on-campus food and drink. Before stepping foot on campus, all students are assigned to one of 11 residential colleges, of which they remain members even if they decide to move off campus. The residential colleges provide housing, dining, and academic and social events. The Rice Owls boast 14 varsity NCAA Division I athletic teams and are well known for their strong baseball program. Students receive free tickets to all varsity athletic events.Rice is comprised of eight schools, including the School of Social Sciences, School of Humanities and Wiess School of Natural Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business and George R. Brown School of Engineering. Rice also has a well-regarded School of Architecture and the Shepherd School of Music. Rice is home to the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, a nonpartisan think tank, which offers coursework, internships and lectures. When a private detective found Rice’s stolen owl mascot at rival school Texas A&M in 1917, he sent a coded message back to Rice students letting them know that "Sammy" was OK, thus bestowing a name on the school’s mascot.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 16%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Rice University is 6:1, and the school has 68.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Rice University include: Biochemistry, Psychology, General, Chemical Engineering, Kinesiology and Exercise Science and Mechanical Engineering. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 97 percent.$43,918 Tuition and Fees 3,910 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of California--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe University of California—Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers more than 3,000 courses and more than 130 majors to undergraduate students.more$39,518 (out-of-state), $12,836 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 29,585 Undergraduate Enrollment#18 University of Washington Seattle, WALocated in the University District neighborhood (known as the U District) just north of downtown Seattle, the University of Washington is a cutting-edge research university with a long-standing history as one of the oldest public institutions on the West Coast. Students can join one of the school’s 500-plus student organizations, including about 50 sororities and fraternities, or can start a brand new club with at least four other students. University of Washington is known as a commuter school, and freshmen are not required to live on campus. Housing is not guaranteed for any student. For those that do reside in the residence halls, the university stresses “living green” through energy conservation and recycling. On the sports fields, the school’s varsity athletes are competitive in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The football team, in particular, is a traditional league stand-out. The teams are represented by two mascots: one, a costumed student known as Harry the Husky Dawg, and the other, Dubs, a live Alaskan husky. The university gym is free for students seeking a workout.more$34,791 (out-of-state), $10,753 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 31,063#24 University of California--San Diego La Jolla, CAThe University of California—San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in more than 20 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has hundreds of student organizations, and the university hosts a thriving Greek community. All freshmen are eligible for guaranteed on-campus housing for two years, but they are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium and is home to the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which tests structures’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes.more$41,387 (out-of-state), $14,705 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,590#24 University of Maryland--College Park College Park, MDLocated between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, the University of Maryland offers students a suburban lifestyle within easy reach of big-city experiences. The flagship campus in College Park, which has its own subway stop on the D.C.-area Metro transit system, is often considered a commuter school. Accordingly, freshmen do not have to live on campus. There are more than 800 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 35 fraternities and sororities that involve approximately 15 percent of the student population. Students looking for additional activities can visit the university's "Free Stuff @ Maryland" website, which offers a comprehensive listing of presentations, events and movie screenings with no admission charges. Sports also offer yearlong distractions. The Maryland Terrapins compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The mascot, Testudo, is a Diamondback terrapin — a species of turtle that is the official state reptile. One of several Testudo sculptures on campus sits in front of McKeldin Library, and rubbing its nose is thought to bring good luck, particularly before exams.more$32,045 (out-of-state), $10,181 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,443#24 University of Minnesota--Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNThe University of Minnesota stretches across a major city – or two, to be exact. Minneapolis and St. Paul, known as the Twin Cities, are frequently recognized for sports, cleanliness and volunteerism. The school has a campus in each city, though the Minneapolis site is considered the main campus of the University of Minnesota. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, but the more than 80 percent who choose to can opt to live in traditional residence halls or one of more than two dozen Living Learning communities, such as the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives House and La Casa De Español. Also on campus are more than 600 student organizations, including more than 30 fraternities and sororities. The Minnesota Golden Gophers compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, and all athletic events are held in the Minneapolis campus's Stadium Village neighborhood. Goldy Gopher, the school mascot, energizes thousands of student fans as they chant "Ski-U-Mah," a rally cry that means "Victory UM." Under the Four-Year Graduation Plan, the university ensures that all necessary classes will be available for students to complete their degrees on time. If courses are not available in an undergraduate's four years of schooling, the university will pay for the extra credits.more$22,210 (out-of-state), $13,790 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 34,071#24 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAFounded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.more$51,464 Tuition and Fees 9,726 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Harvard University Cambridge, MAHarvard University is a private institution in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston. This Ivy League school is the oldest higher education institution in the country and has the largest endowment of any school in the world.more$47,074 Tuition and Fees 6,699 Undergraduate Enrollment#28 Ohio State University--Columbus Columbus, OHLocated in the state capital of Columbus, The Ohio State University is a sprawling school with seemingly endless opportunities for students to get involved. There are more than 1,000 clubs and organizations on campus, including about 65 fraternities and sororities. Sports are another big part of campus life, with the Ohio State Buckeyes competing in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference. The athletic teams are named after the state tree and cheered on by mascot Brutus Buckeye. The football stadium, which was completed in 1922, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. All Ohio State freshmen must live in one of the more than 35 residence halls across campus, unless a student is from Central Ohio and can commute from home. The Ohio State First Year Experience offers freshmen orientation, mentors and special programming to ease the transition into college. Freshmen can also go on the school’s community service spring break, a trip to Chicago that is only open to first-year students. Local community service opportunities are easy to find through the school’s Pay It Forward program, which includes an online listing of volunteer events. Students can also study abroad in more than 40 countries through Ohio State.more$28,229 (out-of-state), $10,037 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 45,289#28 University of California--Davis Davis, CAThe University of California—Davis, one of 10 schools in the University of California system, was originally established as a farm school for UC - Berkeley. Located just 15 miles from Sacramento, UC Davis’s campus contains an airport, fire department and a collection of outdoor sculptures called Eggheads. There are more than 500 student organizations on campus in addition to a sizeable Greek community that comprises about 65 fraternity and sorority chapters. All freshmen are guaranteed housing, and after their first year students typically move off campus or live in university apartments. The UC Davis Aggies field more than 20 NCAA Division I teams, and students can join the Aggie Pack, the largest student spirit organization in the country.more$40,728 (out-of-state), $14,046 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 28,384#28 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAUndergraduates study in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences at the University of Southern California, a private school based in Los Angeles. The USC Trojans compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference and are particularly competitive in football.more$52,217 Tuition and Fees 18,810 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 North Carolina State University--Raleigh Raleigh, NCNorth Carolina State University, known as NC State for short, is the largest four-year college in the state. Students have more than 100 degree programs and more than 400 clubs and organizations to choose from.more$26,399 (out-of-state), $8,880 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 24,111#32 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, NYRensselaer Polytechnic Institute was founded on the principles of bringing science to everyday life, and that ethos is still prevalent today. About a quarter of students are involved in Greek L.I.F.E., as the fraternity and sorority scene is known at the school, which stresses Leadership, Innovation, Fortitude and Evolution. More students - about three fourths - play sports at the varsity, club or intramural level. True to the school’s mission, the varsity athletes are known as the Engineers, and compete in the Eastern College Athletic Conference and the Liberty League. There are also more than 175 student organizations. Freshmen must live on campus, usually in dormitories that only house first-year students. RPI’s campus, in Troy, N.Y., is nestled in an ideal location for nature lovers. The school overlooks the Hudson River, where waterfront activities abound, and is close to Grafton Lakes State Park, Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains. For an urban experience, Albany is 9 miles away.more$50,797 Tuition and Fees 5,864 Undergraduate Enrollment#32 University of California--Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CALocated 100 miles up the coast from Los Angeles, the University of California—Santa Barbara sits atop cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Students can get involved in any of the more than 400 clubs and organizations on campus, including a Greek community that comprises about 10 percent of undergraduate students. UCSB provides housing to about 30 percent of students in eight residence halls and several university apartment complexes.The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos compete primarily in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference and are known for their successful women’s basketball and men’s soccer teams. Non-varsity students can join a club team such as cycling, surfing, rugby or ski and snowboard.more$40,704 (out-of-state), $14,022 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,607#32 University of Colorado--Boulder Boulder, COThe University of Colorado Boulder, called CU­--Boulder for short, lays against the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Boulder is a lively college town with more than 80 miles of biking and walking trails. In the evenings, students can travel anywhere within the city limits for free in CU NightRide shuttles, which run until 1:15 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 12:15 a.m. all other nights. On campus, there are more than 300 student clubs and organizations and close to 40 fraternities and sororities. Freshmen must live on campus. The Colorado Buffaloes compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. The student athletes, called Buffs for short, are supported by two buffalo mascots: a costumed student called Chip and a live animal named Ralphie V. The university stresses its commitment to volunteer efforts like Better Boulder Better World, a day of community service in the surrounding neighborhoods. For trips off campus, there are 11 ski slopes within 3 hours of campus, and Rocky Mountain National Park is 45 miles away. A bit closer is Denver, the state capital, where students can catch professional sports matches or concerts in the unique outdoor concert hall, Red Rocks Amphitheatre.more$35,079 (out-of-state), $11,531 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 27,010#32 University of Virginia Charlottesville, VAFounded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is located in Charlottesville. It’s referred to among insiders as Mr. Jefferson’s University or simply The University. Only first-year students are required to live on campus, and many upperclassmen live in off-campus apartments or fraternity and sorority houses. Greek life is prominent at UVA with a membership that includes approximately 30 percent of the student body. The Cavaliers, known unofficially as Wahoos or ‘Hoos, are members of the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference and are well known for their consistently dominant men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.more$45,066 (out-of-state), $15,722 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,736#37 Arizona State University--Tempe Tempe, AZArizona State University’s Tempe campus offers more than 200 research-based programs in the arts, business, engineering and more. The campus is located just outside of Phoenix, in the suburb of Tempe, Arizona.more$25,458 (out-of-state), $10,158 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 41,828#37 Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHCase Western Reserve University is known for its world class research, but with more than 150 student organizations, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved outside the classroom, too. The Case Western Spartans varsity teams compete in the Division III University Athletic Association. The Greek system, which stresses a commitment to on-campus and community service, involves about one third of students. The campus is located about 20 minutes from downtown Cleveland, where students have free access to a handful of downtown museums like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center. On campus, freshmen live in one of four themed residential communities, which are called Cedar, Juniper, Magnolia and Mistletoe. All students are invited to the annual SpringFest, a collection of music, carnival games and activities that is the largest student-run event on campus.more$46,006 Tuition and Fees 5,121 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Iowa State University Ames, IAIowa State University dwarfs Ames, the small town in which it resides. The large school offers more than 800 student organizations, and sports are a big part of campus life. The Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and share a special rivalry with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the Cyclones moniker, the school mascot is a cardinal named Cy because a cyclone was hard to put into costume form. There are nearly 50 fraternities and sororities at Iowa State, and most chapters have their own houses. Freshmen do not have to live on campus.There are more than 100 undergraduate majors offered at Iowa State, and, through the Soar in 4 initiative, advisers work with students to ensure they graduate in four years. For a study break, students can take a stroll through the roses in Reiman Gardens or check out more than 2,000 works of art around the campus – one of the largest collections at any school in the country. For trips off campus, Des Moines is 30 minutes away.more$21,483 (out-of-state), $7,969 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 30,034#37 University of Florida Gainesville, FLThe University of Florida is about two miles away from downtown Gainesville, a college town bolstered by the school’s nearly 50,000 students. The Florida Gators sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference, and are supported by mascots Albert and Alberta the Alligators. The Gator football team, which competes in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — commonly called the "The Swamp" — is particularly notorious. The team became the namesake of popular sports drink Gatorade in 1966, after freshmen Gators experimented with the novel beverage. The annual Gator Growl, held each Homecoming weekend, has been called the largest student-run pep rally in the world. About 15 percent of students are involved in the school’s 60-plus fraternities and sororities. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, though about 80 percent opt to do so. All students can partake in Gator Nights, held every Friday, which offer free late-night entertainment and a free “midnight breakfast.”more$28,666 (out-of-state), $6,389 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 35,043#37 University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INThe University of Notre Dame is a private, independent, Catholic institution in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame’s athletic teams, known as the Fighting Irish, play in the NCAA Division I and are particularly competitive on the football field.more$49,685 Tuition and Fees 8,462 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNVanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. More than 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.more$45,610 Tuition and Fees 6,883 Undergraduate Enrollment#37 Yale University New Haven, CTYale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 12 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.more$49,480 Tuition and Fees 5,532 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Brown University Providence, RIAt Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 70 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, R.I. is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.more$51,367 Tuition and Fees 6,652 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Colorado School of Mines Golden, COFor students who want to work in the sciences, opportunities abound at the Colorado School of Mines. A public engineering and applied sciences school in Golden, Colorado, Mines has 14 academic departments, including Mechanical Engineering and Geophysics. The school also offers courses in the Liberal Arts & International Studies and Economics & Business departments. When students aren’t studying, the school’s location is ideal for outdoor recreation. Golden is 13 miles from the state capital of Denver and lies in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, where students can bike, hike and climb. The campus also has a climbing wall for students to test their skills before attempting the Rockies. Cold-weather sports fans can partake in the annual Winter Carnival, a student-run affair packed with skiing and snowboarding at a local resort. The Mines sports teams, known as the Orediggers, compete in the NCAA Division II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, which is mostly made up of other teams from Colorado. The school mascot is Blaster the burro, and a giant "M" emblazoned onto nearby Mount Zion signifies the school spirit. There are more than 140 student clubs and organizations, including seven fraternities and three sororities. First-year students are required to live on campus. Even the student newspaper, The Oredigger, is decidedly science based; sections include weekly roundups of new discoveries and a Geek of the Week feature.more$34,828 (out-of-state), $17,383 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,608#44 Dartmouth College Hanover, NHDartmouth College, a private institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, uses quarters, not semesters, to divide the school year. Among more than 300 student organizations at Dartmouth is the Outing Club, the nation's oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind, which offers outdoor activities, expeditions, gear rentals and courses.more$51,438 Tuition and Fees 4,307 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 Lehigh University Bethlehem, PALehigh University is located in Bethlehem, Pa., 50 miles north of Philadelphia and 75 miles west of New York City. The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are members of the Patriot League, and compete in 25 NCAA Division I sports. Their biggest athletic rivalry is Lafayette College, located less than 20 miles away. A third of the student body is involved in fraternities and sororities. All freshmen are required to live on campus, and sophomores are also required to live on campus in a residence hall or Greek housing. Lehigh’s main campus is located on the wooded slope of South Mountain, and half of the campus is preserved as open space.more$48,320 Tuition and Fees 5,075 Undergraduate Enrollment#44 University of California--Irvine Irvine, CAOn the sunny campus of the University of California—Irvine, students don't have far to go to decompress after class. The Pacific Ocean is a quick 5-mile trip away, attracting surfers, sailors and sunbathers alike. Seated in Orange County, the bustling campus is home to more than 500 student organizations, including nearly 50 fraternities and sororities. The UC—Irvine Anteaters compete at the Division I level in the Big West Conference, cheered on by non-traditional mascot Peter the Anteater and a group of student fans called Eater Nation. While UC Irvine is known as a commuter school, university officials have tried to combat that status by offering more on-campus residence options. Freshmen are not required to live on campus, but more than three-fourths of first-year students choose to do so. Getting around UC Irvine is easy with the school's ZotWheels, a fleet of blue and gold bicycles that students can pick up and ride to four campus locations. Commuters looking to be more energy efficient can carpool to campus with other students through the university's Zimride Rideshare Community.more$39,458 (out-of-state), $14,750 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 25,256#44 Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MOStudents can study architecture, art, arts and sciences, business, and engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, a private research institution in Missouri. Outside of class, about a quarter of the student body is involved in Greek life.more$49,770 Tuition and Fees 7,504 Undergraduate Enrollment#50 Michigan State University East Lansing, MIMichigan State University is a powerhouse institution located in the college town of East Lansing. Downtown, students can choose from dining and nightlife options, and the city is also home to the Great Lakes Folk Festival. Lake Michigan and its beaches are a short trip away, as is the state capital of Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, supported by award-winning mascot Sparty. There are more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including more than 55 fraternities and sororities. Members of the Greek community are active in the local community through events like Safe Halloween, an annual carnival for children in East Lansing. All students can get involved in service-learning and volunteer projects throughout East Lansing like Fill the Bus, an annual campaign to stuff a Spartan-green school bus full of food and school supplies for underprivileged children. The university is home to one of the largest single-campus residence hall systems in the country, and freshmen must live on campus unless they reside with a family member no more than 50 miles from school. To study farther afield, students can take advantage of more than 260 study abroad programs.more$39,090 (out-of-state), $14,070 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 39,143#50 University of Arizona Tucson, AZThe University of Arizona offers its students a wide variety of ways to get involved, from joining the ZonaZoo cheering section at Wildcats sports games to checking out the burgeoning Greek scene with more than 30 fraternities and sororities.more$30,025 (out-of-state), $10,872 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 33,732#50 University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PALocated in the Oakland neighborhood, Pitt’s campus is a 3-mile trip from bustling downtown Pittsburgh. The city is home to powerhouse professional sports teams, such as the Steelers and Penguins, and dozens of unique cultural centers, like the Andy Warhol Museum and Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Pitt students get free admission to these and other select museums throughout the school year. Because Pittsburgh is bordered by three rivers, kayaking, sailing and fishing opportunities are plentiful. City buses stop every 10 to 15 minutes on campus, and students can ride public transportation into the city for free with school ID. Freshmen do not have to live on campus. Pitt has a sizeable Greek community of about 35 fraternities and sororities. Students in Arts and Sciences majors can earn hands-on credits in internships, research and teaching with the help of the university’s Office of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity. The Pittsburgh Panthers sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Atlantic Coast Conference. Pitt students are notorious for their avid support at sporting events, particularly for forming a riotous cheering section known as the Oakland Zoo at basketball games. Students who attend the most home sporting events get priority purchasing when game tickets are in high demand through the school’s Loyalty Points system.more$29,758 (out-of-state), $18,618 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 18,908Best Undergraduate Engineering Program Rankings (No doctorate)The undergraduate engineering program rankings were based solely on peer assessment surveys. To appear on an undergraduate engineering survey, a school must have an undergraduate engineering program accredited by ABET. The programs below are schools whose highest engineering degree offered is a bachelor's or master's.#1 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Terre Haute, INRose-Hulman Institute of Technology, located in Terre Haute, Ind., offers a number of activities and organizations to help students get involved on campus. There are more than 80 student clubs, ranging from the EcoCAR challenge team to the Rose-Hulman Drama Club. Other prominent performance groups include the chorus and jazz band. There is a significant Greek system on campus comprising more than 40 percent of the student body. Rose-Hulman fields a number of NCAA Division III athletic teams, including football, basketball, soccer, and cross country. The Sports and Recreation Center, a state-of-the-art athletic facility, serves as a center of student activity and as the summer training camp for the NFL Indianapolis Colts. Rose-Hulman provides housing to all students in its residence halls.more$44,010 Tuition and Fees 2,270 Undergraduate Enrollment#2 Harvey Mudd College Claremont, CAOverviewHarvey Mudd College is a private institution that was founded in 1955. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 815, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 33 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Harvey Mudd College's ranking in the 2017 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 21. Its tuition and fees are $52,916 (2016-17).Harvey Mudd College is located in Claremont, Calif., 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Harvey Mudd is one of the country’s top math, science and engineering undergraduate colleges. The school offers a variety of student organizations on campus, from the break-dancing club to the Harvey Wallbangers Climbing Club, among others. The college does not recognize national fraternities or sororities on campus. Harvey Mudd competes in a joint intercollegiate athletics program with Claremont McKenna College and Scripps College, fielding NCAA Division III varsity sports for men and women in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. As a residential college, freshmen are required to live on campus, and 99 percent of students remain on campus in one of the eight dormitories.Harvey Mudd College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in math, science and engineering majors. The school is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium, which includes Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Pomona College, Pitzer College, Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences. The school was founded by Harvey S. Mudd, a successful mining engineer. A well-known annual school tradition is Foster’s Run, organized by the Gonzo Unicycle Madness club, during which unicyclists ride to a local donut shop. Notable alumni include astronauts George Nelson and Stan Love, as well as former U.S. diplomat and current Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency Richard H. Jones.Selectivity: Most selectiveFall 2015 acceptance rate: 13%Academic LifeThe student-faculty ratio at Harvey Mudd College is 9:1, and the school has 59.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Harvey Mudd College include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Engineering, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Physical Sciences and Mathematics and Statistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 98 percent.$52,916 Tuition and Fees 815 Undergraduate Enrollment#3 Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering Needham, MAFranklin W. Olin College of Engineering is located in Needham, Mass., just 14 miles west of Boston and next to the campus of Babson College. Nearly all students live on campus in either of the two residence halls, which offer housing in traditional doubles or suites. Olin’s "Passionate Pursuits" program enables students to pursue their interests with guidance from a faculty sponsor and funding from the college; some examples include scuba certification, Irish dance, and jazz improvisation. There are also a number of student clubs and organizations ranging from an Anti Gravity Club to the Olin Dance Project. Central to Olin’s community of trust is the Honor Code, which dictates that students must act with honor and integrity.more$47,330 Tuition and Fees370 Undergraduate Enrollment#4 United States Military Academy West Point, NYThe United States Military Academy, also known as West Point, is the oldest of the country’s five federal service academies. The public school is located in West Point, N.Y., where graduates earn a bachelor of science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,348 Undergraduate Enrollment#5 California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CAJust a 30-minute drive from the Pacific Ocean, California Polytechnic State University is located 200 miles from both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Although Cal Poly students can choose from nearly 70 degrees, engineering is the most popular major, with 50 student organizations dedicated specifically to that field.more$20,235 (out-of-state), $9,075 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 20,049#5 United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDThe United States Naval Academy is a public school located in the waterfront town of Annapolis, Maryland. Students, known as midshipmen, are officers in training, and tuition is fully funded by the U.S. Navy in return for active-duty service after graduation.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,525 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 Bucknell University Lewisburg, PABucknell University, located in the small town of Lewisburg, Pa., is conveniently situated about three hours from New York, Washington and Philadelphia. Nearly 90 percent of undergraduates live on campus in traditional residence halls, substance-free housing or small house communities, among other options. With more than 150 clubs and organizations on campus, students can participate in a wide range of activities. There is sizable Greek community on campus comprising more than half of sophomores, juniors and seniors. The Bucknell Bison, as the school’s athletic teams are called, field more than 25 varsity teams in the NCAA Division I Patriot League. Bucknell’s athletic facilities include an Olympic-sized pool, 18-hole golf course and state-of-the-art fitness center.more$51,960 Tuition and Fees 3,569 Undergraduate Enrollment#7 United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COThe United States Air Force Academy, commonly called Air Force, is a military service academy located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., about 60 miles from Denver. Students at Air Force, called cadets, adhere to a strict daily schedule that does not allow for much free time, though there are a number of extracurricular clubs and activities. Incoming cadets attend a five-week training program intended to prepare them for military life. Cadets are required to participate in athletics — either intercollegiate or intramural — and must pass a fitness test every semester. The Fighting Falcons, Air Force’s athletic teams, compete in NCAA’s Division I and are known for their traditional rivalries with fellow service academies Army and Navy.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,111 Undergraduate Enrollment#9 Cooper Union New York, NYThe Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to as Cooper Union, is located in New York's East Village neighborhood. Cooper Union has a number of student organizations, ranging from special interest groups, such as the Culinary Society and the Outdoors Club, to religious and performance groups. The one university residence hall is intended to help students transition from living away from home for the first time to renting a private apartment. Cooper Union fields several intercollegiate athletic teams, including men's and women's basketball, soccer and tennis.more$43,850 Tuition and Fees 901 Undergraduate Enrollment#10 Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WIMilwaukee School of Engineering, known as MSOE, is located in downtown Milwaukee next to both the historic East Town and the Theater District and just a few blocks from Lake Michigan. Student organizations at MSOE fall into one of seven categories: government, Greek, honors societies, professional, religious, service, and special interest. Intramural sports, including football, volleyball, broomball, and dodgeball, are popular activities among students. MSOE’s varsity athletic teams, the Raiders, compete in NCAA Division III sports. The Kern Center athletic facility houses an ice rink, basketball arena, indoor track, fitness center, and field house. Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus in one of the three coed residence halls. Annual campus traditions include Constitution and Citizenship Week, Raider Week for school spirit, and St. Patrick’s Week.more$37,980 Tuition and Fees 2,712 Undergraduate Enrollment#11 California State Polytechnic University--Pomona Pomona, CAThe official motto of California State Polytechnic University—Pomona translates to “Application of Knowledge,” and students have many opportunities to learn by doing outside of the classroom. Notable alumni include Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the first Latina to serve in the U.S. cabinet.more$18,136 (out-of-state), $6,976 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 22,157#12 United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CTThe United States Coast Guard Academy is a military service academy located in New London, Connecticut, overlooking the Thames River. Following a practice observed at most U.S. service academies, Coast Guard students are referred to as cadets, indicating their position as military trainees. Incoming cadets are required to participate in Swab Summer, a seven-week military training program. Student life is highly regimented at the Coast Guard Academy, with military training, study periods and athletic activities all built into the daily schedule. The academy's intercollegiate athletic teams compete primarily in NCAA Division III sports. Music groups such as the Glee Club, Gospel Choir and NiteCaps Jazz Band are popular among students.moreN/A (out-of-state), N/A (in-state) Tuition and Fees 898 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 The Citadel Charleston, SCThe Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, is situated just a few miles from downtown Charleston. Students who enroll at The Citadel become members of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, so much of student life, from the strict rules to the varsity rifle team, has a military feel.more$31,780 (out-of-state), $11,364 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,671#13 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott Prescott, AZFounded in 1926, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University--Prescott is a private institution.$33,826 Tuition and Fees 2,205 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Kettering University Flint, MIFounded in 1919, Kettering University is a private institution. The school has 57.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Kettering University is 14:1.more$39,790 Tuition and Fees 1,841 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Lafayette College Easton, PANestled in the College Hill neighborhood of Easton, Pa., is Lafayette College, a liberal arts institution. Easton is a small city about 60 miles from Philadelphia and 70 from New York City. One perk of living in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley: in warm months, students can load up on fresh produce each Saturday at the Easton Farmer’s Market, billed as the nation’s oldest continuous open-air market. In the winter, students can go skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Pocono Mountains. The campus has its own indoor rock-climbing wall and on-campus night club called The Spot for year-round fun. There are around 200 student organizations, including a popular Greek system of close to a dozen fraternities and sororities. Each fraternity and sorority has a house on campus for member students. Freshmen must live on campus at the residential college, and so must sophomores, juniors and most seniors. About 70 seniors who apply to move off campus will be approved each year. The Lafayette Leopards compete in the NCAA Division I Patriot League, and the football team has a notorious rival with Lehigh University’s squad. Students kick off the year with the President’s Ball, a formal dance, and end the year with All-College Day, a campus-wide celebration with music and food. Students can grab a bite after, too, when faculty members serve them Midnight Breakfast.more$48,885 Tuition and Fees 2,533 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CALoyola Marymount University—the largest Catholic university on the West Coast—is located in Los Angeles. LMU provides housing to more than 3,000 students in its residence halls, apartments, and houses. There are about 150 student clubs and organizations on campus, including nearly 15 Greek chapters. Students interested in media can join the radio station; The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student newspaper; The Tower, a university yearbook; or ROAR Network, a television channel. The Loyola Marymount Lions field a number of Division I athletic teams and compete in the West Coast Conference. Club sports like the surfing, rugby, and ski and snowboard are also popular among students.more$44,238 Tuition and Fees 6,259 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Smith College Northampton, MASmith College, a private school in Northampton, Mass., is one of the largest liberal arts schools for women in the country. Students live in group houses, not dormitories, at Smith.more$47,904 Tuition and Fees 2,478 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PAAbout 10 miles outside of Philadelphia is Swarthmore College, a private liberal arts institution that also offers a unique engineering degree program. Because Swarthmore is part of the Tri-College Consortium, students can also take courses at nearby Bryn Mawr College and Haverford College.more$49,104 Tuition and Fees 1,581 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 University of San Diego San Diego, CAThe University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution open to students of all faiths. The school overlooks Mission Bay, and downtown San Diego is about a 15-minute trip away. On campus, there are more than 100 student organizations, including more than 10 fraternities and sororities. Most of the San Diego Torero sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; the football team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Pioneer League. Athletic teams are cheered on by the school's mascot, a costumed bullfighter named Diego Torero. The University Ministry coordinates retreats and immersion trips and hosts daily Mass services, including a special Mass for Peace on Wednesday nights.After class, students can relax at nearby beaches, like La Jolla and Pacific Beach, or explore Balboa Park, the biggest urban cultural park in the country, which is home to 15 museums, the San Diego Zoo and the Old Globe Theatre. Opportunities to kayak, sail, wind surf and more are nearby. Students can join group excursions, led by the school’s Outdoor Adventures program, or rent kayaks, surfboards and snorkel equipment on campus for trips on their own. Freshmen must live on campus, and for students around on the weekends, the school hosts a Friday Night Movies series.more$46,140 Tuition and Fees 5,647 Undergraduate Enrollment#13 Valparaiso University Valparaiso, INLocated in northwest Indiana, Valparaiso University is a private, Lutheran institution at which students are encouraged to volunteer and serve their community. Valparaiso students can get involved through many campus ministries, Division I sports, and the local Popcorn Festival.more$37,450 Tuition and Fees 3,179 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Gonzaga University Spokane, WAGonzaga University is a private, Roman Catholic institution that is open to students of all faiths. Residing along the Spokane River, it is less than half a mile to downtown Spokane, Wash. On campus, there are more than 95 active clubs for students to choose from. Intramural sports are very popular at Gonzaga, with more than 60 percent of the student body participating. The Bulldogs of Gonzaga are part of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference. The men’s basketball team is the pride and joy of the university, and the team has returned the love by winning more than 90 percent of its games at the school’s McCarthey Athletic Center. At Gonzaga, students are required to live on campus during their first two years, but the university has stated that on-campus housing is not guaranteed for an entire college career. Students interested in outdoor pursuits can journey to the 100-acre Riverfront Park and go ice skating in the winter or check out the sky ride over the falls. They can also explore the Spokane River Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved trail perfect for walking, running, skating, or biking.more$39,730 Tuition and Fees 5,041 Undergraduate Enrollment#22 Rowan University Glassboro, NJFounded in 1923, Rowan University is a public institution. Rowan University offers a Greek system, where 5 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 4 percent is involved in a fraternity.more$20,978 (out-of-state), $12,864 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 13,169#22 San Jose State University San Jose, CAStudents who attend San Jose State University, or SJSU, are situated in the scenic California Bay Area and booming Silicon Valley. The campus is located in downtown San Jose, and there are a variety of on-campus housing options, including student apartments and suites. Freshmen are not guaranteed university housing, though there is usually enough room for all who apply. There are more than 350 student organizations to check out at SJSU, as well as a Greek system that prides itself on its diversity. Students can also get involved by joining or cheering on the school’s Spartans athletics squads, which compete in the NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference. The San Jose State football team competed in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.For graduate students, the school offers programs through the Lucas Graduate School of Business, among other schools. The university also operates unique research centers that study the lives and works of Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck and legendary composer Beethoven. About three fourths of SJSU alumni stay in the Bay Area after graduation. Some of the school’s most notable graduates include musician Stevie Nicks and author Amy Tan. More than a dozen Olympic medalists have also graduated from SJSU, including runner Lee Evans and boxer Chuck Adkins.more$13,066 (out-of-state), $9,284 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 26,822#25 Bradley University Peoria, ILLocated in Peoria, Ill., Bradley University gives its students many opportunities to participate in both academic and recreational activities. Career and entrepreneurship centers help students learn, and around 250 student organizations help students have fun.more$32,120 Tuition and Fees 4,439 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NYFounded in 1966, SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public institution.$17,740 (out-of-state), $7,890 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 2,082#25 Trinity University San Antonio, TXTrinity University overlooks downtown San Antonio, home to the Alamo, four professional sports teams including the NBA Spurs, and more than 175 city parks and recreation areas. Not to be ignored: San Antonio has on average 300 days of sunshine per year. Students can get involved in any of the more than 115 campus organizations ranging from the Loon-E Hip-Hop Dance Crew to the Entrepreneurship Club. A thriving Greek community at Trinity represents about a quarter of the undergraduate student body and consists of mainly local chapters. Nearly 80 percent of students live on campus in one of the residence halls, and there are designated areas on campus for freshmen and sophomore housing. The Trinity Tigers compete in Division III and are known for their strong tennis program.more$39,560 Tuition and Fees 2,273 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 Union College Schenectady, NYSchool life is split into three 10 week terms, or trimesters, at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y. On the trimester schedule, students take three classes per term and have an extended winter break. All freshmen, who live in residence halls, are randomly assigned to one of seven Minerva Houses, an academic and social community. Upper-class students and faculty can reside in this community. All students can take classes and participate in extracurricular activities in the houses. Each house has its own kitchen for students who want to cook their own meals. There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations, including more than 15 fraternities and sororities. Most Union sports teams, called Dutchmen, compete in the NCAA Division III Liberty League. The Union men’s and women’s ice hockey teams compete in the Division I ECAC Conference Hockey League. The school mascot is a costumed man known as Dutch. Students can volunteer in the revitalizations efforts going on in downtown Schenectady. New York is about 150 miles away, and more than 60 percent of students travel abroad before graduation. Union College’s global offerings include year programs, trimester stays and three-week trips known as mini-breaks. Each year, students celebrate the changing seasons at Springfest, a day of concerts by famous performers like Sean Kingston and Matt Nathanson.more$51,696 Tuition and Fees 2,269 Undergraduate Enrollment#25 United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NYThe United States Merchant Marine Academy, also called USMMA or Kings Point, is located in Kings Point, New York, about 20 miles east of New York City. It is one of the five U.S. service academies. Incoming students, known as plebes, undergo a two-week indoctrination program known as "Indoc," which prepares them for the Merchant Marine Academy lifestyle. Upon entering the academy after Indoc, midshipmen can participate in a variety of clubs and organizations, including the Trident Scuba Diving Club, Glee Club, Regimental Band and Hear This, the student newspaper. USMMA fields a number of men's and women's NCAA Division III athletic teams, and all students are expected to participate either in varsity, club or intramural sports.moreN/A (out-of-state), $2,214 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 904#25 Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VALocated in Lexington, Virginia, the Virginia Military Institute is the oldest state-supported military college in the United States. Students admitted to the college are known as military cadets and are required to participate in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Unlike the federal service academies, Virginia Military Institute cadets are not required to serve in the military upon graduation. Cadets have about 80 academic, professional and social clubs and organizations to choose from upon entering the college.Freshmen admitted to VMI are immediately exposed to the Rat Line, which is a system designed to create equality among all cadets and prepare them mentally and physically for their career in the Corps. This is done through a series of team-building exercises and stringent regulations. The housing situation is very different from most universities' campuses. In the Barracks, cadets live modestly, with limited space and multiple other occupants, and are expected to maintain cleanliness and order at all times. The Virginia Military Institute Keydets participate in 18 NCAA Division I athletic programs and are members of the Southern Conference and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.more$41,801 (out-of-state), $17,492 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 1,717#31 LeTourneau University Longview, TXFounded in 1946, LeTourneau University is a private institution. LeTourneau University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.more$28,480 Tuition and Fees 2,286 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Miami University--Oxford Oxford, OHMiami University students make up nearly half the population of the approximately 7-square-mile town of Oxford, Ohio. Freshmen must live on campus, which is also home to more than 500 student organizations. The Greek system constitutes a large part of campus life, with about a third of the student body involved in more than 50 fraternities and sororities. In fact, the school often gets the moniker “Mother of Fraternities” because the Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau and Sigma Chi organizations were founded at Miami University. The school is also known as the "Cradle of Coaches" for the number of professional and collegiate coaches who once competed for Miami. The RedHawks, who compete in the Division I Mid-American Conference, were known as the Redskins until 1997. The name was changed after years of controversy and a request from the Miami Indian Tribe. (The tribe is the namesake of the university.) To help ease the transition into freshman year, older students often create a guide to life at Miami University, called the "M Book." Student couples who marry are known as "Miami Mergers" and are reminded of their alma mater each Valentine's Day, when the admissions office sends cards to congratulate former students on finding love at school.more$31,592 (out-of-state), $14,288 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 16,387#31 Ohio Northern University Ada, OHLocated in the town of Ada, Ohio Northern University is a private school with small classes and many student organizations. Examples of ONU clubs include several fraternities and sororities and a committee that plans events for the rest of the student body.more$29,820 Tuition and Fees 2,401 Undergraduate Enrollment#31 Seattle University Seattle, WASeattle University is a private institution that has a strong focus on its Jesuit mission. Most Seattle students volunteer through programs such as the Children’s Literacy Project, which allows them to tutor children in local schools.more$41,265 Tuition and Fees 4,711 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 Brigham Young University--Idaho Rexburg, IDBrigham Young University--Idaho is a private institution.$3,830 Tuition and Fees N/A Undergraduate Enrollment#35 California State University--Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAThe California State University—Los Angeles, also known as Cal State LA or CSULA, operates on a quarter system. The campus is close to public transportation stops, making it convenient for commuters.more$17,505 (out-of-state), $6,345 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 23,439#35 Oregon Institute of Technology Klamath Falls, ORLocated in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the Oregon Institute of Technology is a public school with strong engineering programs and a focus on sustainable, renewable energy. Students can take advantage of OIT's scenery and enjoy outdoor activities such as snowboarding, deep-sea fishing and skydiving.more$27,326 (out-of-state), $9,625 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 4,730#35 University of Minnesota--Duluth Duluth, MNFounded in 1947, University of Minnesota--Duluth is a public institution. The school has 34.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Duluth is 17:1.more$17,032 (out-of-state), $13,082 (in-state) Tuition and Fees 9,837#35 University of Portland Portland, ORA private, Catholic school in northwest Oregon, the University of Portland offers many attractions both on and off campus. Students can check out university clubs and sports or venture to the nearby Portland Art Museum, Oregon Zoo or Alberta Arts District.more$42,014 Tuition and Fees 3,770 Undergraduate Enrollment#35 University of St. Thomas St. Paul, MNFounded in 1885, University of St. Thomas is a private institution. University of St. Thomas follows a 4-1-4-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.more$39,594 Tuition and Fees 6,240 Undergraduate Enrollment

Q. What is the best rated university for film education?USC - THR Ranks the Top 25 American Film Schools 6:30 AM 8/18/2016Illustrations by Rami NiemiLearning to become a filmmaker used to be much simpler: All you needed was a 16mm camera, a few scraps of film stock and an inspirational teacher. But these days, film schools are considered useless unless they offer state-of-the-art augmented reality labs, high-end digital Steadicams and at least one course taught by James Franco — all of which makes applying to these institutions more confusing than ever before.To help, THR presents its sixth annual ranking of the 25 best U.S. film schools (and a list of 15 of the best foreign film schools). As always, the magazine assembled the list by consulting with academic experts, industry professionals and scores of film school alumni.Reporting by Ashley Cullins, Rebecca Ford, Mia Galuppo, Borys Kit, Kendal McAlpin, Pamela McClintock, Brian Porreca, Tatiana Siegel and Rebecca Sun.25 Yale University Film and Media Studies ProgramTuition: $45,800 (undergrad)If classes like World Cinema — which explores the "coexistence of globalization and the persistence of national identities" — are your cup of tea, then Yale is the school for you. Its film program also boasts impressive partnerships: You can study abroad at the Czech Republic's FAMU. And while James Franco doesn't teach any courses, he plans to get his Ph.D. here.NOTABLE ALUMNI New York magazine film critic Bilge Ebiri, The New York Times film critic Wesley Morris24 FSU's College of Motion Picture ArtsTuition: $3,880-$7,760 (in-state undergrad); $12,980-$25,960 (out-of-state undergrad); $14,380-$21,589 (in-state grad); $33,321-$49,982 (out-of-state grad)Tucked away in Tallahassee, Fla., FSU recently unveiled a 5,000-square-foot visual effects lab and will launch a VR storytelling curriculum in 2017. Some alumni feel the school's greatest asset is its remoteness. "You're out of New York or Los Angeles, so you have pure instruction and pure filmmaking," says Spotlight exec producer Jonathan King ('92). "Florida State is a conservatory. You get away and create."NOTABLE ALUMNI The Maze Runner director Wes Ball, It Follows director David Robert Mitchell23 Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing ArtsTuition: $43,440Upstate New York's other film school also focuses on international filmmaking, with exchange programs in Bosnia, Peru and Italy (where students get to work with the great Bernardo Bertolucci). It also has a strong presence on the festival circuit, sending students for internships at Cannes and Sundance.Says alum and Princess and the Frog screenwriter Rob Edwards, “Barely a day goes by when I don't think about the principles I learned as a film student at Syracuse. Many schools focus on theory but Syracuse puts it into action. I made 6 films during my Freshman year and the practical experiences made me fearless and eager to take on the challenges of the hyper-competitive Entertainment Industry.”NOTABLE ALUMNI Pixar's Jim Morris, producer Thom Oliphant, Coraline director Henry Selick22 Cal State University, NorthridgeTuition: $6,582 (in-state undergrad); $7,848 (in-state grad), $15,510 (out-of-state undergrad), $15,660 (out-of-state grad)A $2 million grant from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association is helping spruce up this San Fernando Valley campus — half the money is being used to update equipment and facilities. The school also is fighting the good fight for diversity, devoting the other half to scholarships for students from underrepresented populations.NOTABLE ALUMNI Actress Joan Chen, My Cousin Vinny writer Dale Launer, Screen Gems production president Glenn Gainor21 San Francisco State UniversityTuition: $6,476 (in-state undergrad); $18,380 (out-of-state undergrad); $7,742 (in-state grad); $19,646 (out-of-state grad)In 2014, it had 800 undergrad and graduate students; this year, enrollment has ballooned to 1,200. But its masters programs remain exclusive: Only 15 students are admitted each year for MFAs and only 10 for MAs. "My favorite experience at SFSU was walking around the city with a 16mm Bolex and only a loose idea of what I wanted to film," recalls Ethan Van der Ryn ('85), who went on to become sound editor for the Transformers and The Lord of the Rings franchises.NOTABLE ALUMNI Steve Zaillian, producer Jonas Rivera (Inside Out)20 Art Center College of Design, PasadenaTuition: $40,046 (undergrad); $42,324 (grad)Courtesy of “Under” director, Javier Barcala(Pictured: Students at Pasadena's ArtCenter College of Design set up a shot.)It's one of the few schools that lets students retain rights to the work they make on campus. "The school doesn't baby you," says filmmaker Saman Kesh ('11), attached to direct Cube at Lionsgate and Controller at Fox. "It's like a mini-industry when you're there." ArtCenter recently signed a partnership with China's Huace Group for a $300,000 scholarship fund, and it's adding augmented reality facilities to a new Immersive Media Lab in spring 2017.NOTABLE ALUMNI Michael Bay, Pulp Fiction co-writer Roger Avary, The Vow director Michael Sucsy19 Rhode Island School of DesignTuition: $46,800It's an arts school — arguably the arts school — so it's hardly surprising that half of the film program's students focus on animation. A partnership with Laika, the Oregon studio that made the Oscar-nominated film Coraline, has turned the school into a pipeline to Hollywood animation studios.NOTABLE ALUMNI Seth MacFarlane, Gus Van Sant, Martha Coolidge18 Ithaca College ArtTuition: $41,776Come to upstate New York and see the world. Ithaca offers students more semester-abroad options than just about anybody — you can study in London, New York, Los Angeles and now Cuba. Three students are in Brazil, assisting NBC Sports as it broadcasts the Rio Olympics. Back on campus, the new Innovation Lab, filled with 3D printers and eye-tracking devices, is set to open in the fall. "My best friends in L.A. are IC grads," says TLC president Nancy Daniels ('94). "They've become my West Coast family."NOTABLE ALUMNI Bob Iger, David Boreanaz, producer Bill D'Elia17 Savannah College of Art and DesignTuition: $35,190 (undergrad); $36,045 (grad)The only school on this list that produces its own streaming sitcom; every quarter a new episode of The Buzz — about a bunch of college grads hanging out in a coffee shop — gets produced, directed, edited by a different set of students and streamed on the school's website. The show is produced at SCAD's new 22,000-square-foot filmmaking complex, but the school also has a digital media center in Atlanta. "It had such a rounded curriculum — you could just bounce around," says video editor Alex Hammer ('06). "It was an entire visual effects program."NOTABLE ALUMNI Sicario associate producer Emma McGill, Zootopia animator Zach Parrish16 Ringling College of Art & DesignTuition: $39,510 (undergrad)The youngest film school on this list — the 48-acre Sarasota, Fla., campus launched its film program in 2007 — it will open in December a 30,000-square-foot soundstage and postproduction complex, the Gulf Coast's first such professional film facility. And Ringling's Studio Lab program, a partnership with Semkhor Networks, continues to lure talent, collaborating with directors like Kevin Smith, who will shoot his next film on location there in November.NOTABLE ALUMNI Oscar-winning animator Patrick Osborne, YouTube star Michelle Phan15 Columbia College of ChicagoTuition: $24,590 (undergrad); $28,950 (grad)The largest film school in the U.S., offering about 200 specialized courses, is located 2,000 miles from Hollywood. But that's a plus, according to Eric Freedman, the new dean of Columbia's School of Media Arts. "Our students engage with and learn from one of the nation's most dynamic media ecosystems — Chicago." A few other pluses: There's a $100,000 annual fund for student films, a partnership with the Beijing Film Academy and — in Hollywood — a five-week studio immersion program.NOTABLE ALUMNI Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts, The Lego Movie editor Chris McKay, Barbershop producer George Tillman Jr.14 University of North Carolina School of the ArtsTuition: $8,930 (in-state undergrad); $24,400 (out-of-state undergrad); $10,556 (in-state grad); $23,963 (out-of-state grad)This small school in a picturesque patch of Winston-Salem is transforming into a cutting-edge tech hub. This fall, it's offering a new track in immersive entertainment and augmented reality as students create a VR movie with help from Jacquie Barnbrook, producer of The Martian VR Experience. In 2015, the school completed its 30,000-square-foot digital media building, housing state-of-the-art equipment for digital design, gaming, animation and effects. Enrollment has skyrocketed, up nearly 37 percent compared with 2015.NOTABLE ALUMNI Vice Principals creators (and UNCSA classmates) David Gordon Green, Jody Hill and Danny McBride13 Boston UniversityTuition: $49,176 (undergrad); $49,176 (grad)The film program got new digs this year: It has taken over a 3,000-square-foot space on Babcock Street that used to store dorm-room mini-fridges and transformed it into a production beehive for cinematography and directing classes. The university picked up the bill for the renovations, and Chinese venture capitalist Hugo Shong provided cash for a slew of state-of-the-art cameras and other equipment.BU also is known for its outpost in L.A., on Wilshire Boulevard, where 200 students come to learn from industry pros. "BU is about finding yourself as a filmmaker," says director Henry Hughes ('06), who got an Oscar nomination for his 2015 short Day One.NOTABLE ALUMNI Lauren Shuler Donner, Bonnie Arnold, Joe Roth, Nina Tassler12 Stanford UniversityTuition: $47,331 (grad)This MFA program focuses on documentaries and only documentaries. And now, thanks to the new $85 million McMurtry Building — home to the Department of Art & Art History, where the program resides — every student gets his or her own editing room. Not such a tight squeeze, considering only eight MFA applicants are accepted to the program each year.The intimacy tends to keep students bonded for life. "Six years after graduating, I still work closely with my classmates," says Jason Sussberg ('10), co-director of the upcoming The Bill Nye Film.NOTABLE ALUMNI Leah Wolchok (Very Semi-Serious), Mike Attie and Meghan O'Hara (In Country), Mark Becker (Art and Craft, Pressure Cooker)11 University of Texas at AustinTuition: $4,977 (in-state undergrad); $17,621 (out-of-state undergrad); $6,362 (in-state grad); $12,436 (out-of-state grad)Where else can you learn at the feet of Matthew McConaughey? "In the Script to Screen class, students get to follow the journey of a film I'm working on through a semester," says the Oscar-winning actor ('93), who delivers lectures on campus and through recorded videos. "Students become privy to the choices and changes we make during the process."Aspiring writers participate in a writers room workshop, with their scripts shopped around to network and cable outlets. Plus there's the Austin Film Festival. All right, all right, all right!NOTABLE ALUMNI Director-producers Mark and Jay Duplass, DreamWorks Animation's Jennifer Howell, Sony Pictures Classics' Michael Barker10 Emerson College, Visual & Media Arts SchoolTuition: $42,144 (undergrad); $1,251 per credit (grad)For a school in Boston, it has great industry connections. Its internship program is super-aggressive, placing students with Hollywood producers, networks and studios. New Regency production president Pamela Abdy ('95) did her internship at Jersey Films then landed a gig as the company's receptionist."The internship program gave me access to Hollywood," she says. "And honestly, being from New Jersey, I had no Hollywood connections whatsoever." Emerson also has a satellite campus in Hollywood, which recently upgraded to cool digs on Sunset Boulevard. But back in Back Bay, the college that graduated Jay Leno and Norman Lear launched a BFA program in comedic arts in 2015.NOTABLE ALUMNI DreamWorks' Holly Bario, Sony's Andrea Giannetti, Viacom's Doug Herzog9 Wesleyan UniversityTuition: $50,312 (undergrad)Wesleyan's College of Film and the Moving Image is a liberal arts college as much as it is a film school, meaning students are not only educated in the practical side of filmmaking but also steeped in critical and historical analysis. Beloved faculty icon Jeanine Basinger all but invented the discipline of film studies — and we mean discipline. "We were not allowed to be late — if you were late for her class, she locked the door," recalls The Purge franchise producer Brad Fuller ('87). Adds Chuck & Buck director Miguel Arteta ('89), "Jeanine puts into your mind that your own greatest weapon is the screwy way you see the world." Other teachers at the Middletown, Conn., school include The New York Times film critic A.O. Scott and A24 executive David Laub.NOTABLE ALUMNI Michael Bay, Akiva Goldsman, Alex Kurtzman, Matthew Weiner, D.B. Weiss, Paul Weitz, Joss Whedon8 Loyola Marymount University School of Film and TelevisionTuition: $43,526 (undergrad); $20,916 (grad)Producer Effie Brown ('93) couldn't get in to LMU's School of Film and Television, so she enrolled as a theater major but then cornered the film dean and begged him to let her switch."He said, 'You had me when you started talking about your heart,' " recalls the Project Greenlight star. The school, based in Westchester, Calif., remains smallish — 12 students per teacher — but its curriculum continues to grow. It's launching a facility in neighboring Silicon Beach and new certificate programs in documentary and digital storytelling and media.NOTABLE ALUMNI Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Parts 1 and 2 director Francis Lawrence, American Horror Story producer James Wong, Bond producer Barbara Broccoli7 Chapman University's Dodge College of Film & Media ArtsTuition: $24,155 (undergrad); $24,180 (grad)There's a reason Ted Sarandos, Steve Mosko, AMC's Ed Carroll and even Hugh Hefner have sent their children to this school — and it's not only because the Orange County campus is close to home. Chapman's Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is equipped with a $42 million, 76,000-square-foot facility designed by Bastien and Associates, the same firm that has built soundstages for Paramount, DreamWorks, Universal and Warner Bros. Say Matt and Ross Duffer ('07), who recently hit it big with the Netflix horror series Stranger Things: "The kids are smart and passionate. And it's not too pretentious — our senior thesis was about a shape-shifting cannibal, and the students and faculty loved it."NOTABLE ALUMNI Dear White People director Justin Simien, BoJack Horseman staff writer Kelly Galuska6 California Institute of the ArtsTuition: $45,030Naturally, the school Walt Disney built in Valencia, Calif. — he introduced it to the public in 1964 by screening a short during the premiere of Mary Poppins — is famous for producing top-notch animators. In February, Pete Docter ('90) became the latest to pick up an Oscar, for Inside Out.But cartoonists aren't the only ones who go there: Zackary Drucker ('07) and Rhys Ernst ('11), co-producers on Amazon's Emmy-winning series Transparent, are CalArtians (yes, that's what they call themselves). "I wish I could go back," muses Jorge R. Gutierrez ('98), the Mexico-born director of animated movie The Book of Life. "To be surrounded by such diverse and incredible talent was inspiring." This fall, students can be inspired by One Act to Cinematic Event, a class James Franco has taught at CalArts for about five years.NOTABLE ALUMNI John Lasseter, Brad Bird, Kirby Dick, Tim Burton, Brenda Chapman (co-director of Brave and the first woman to win an Oscar for an animated feature)5 Columbia University School of the ArtsTuition: $52,478 (undergrad); $57,296 (grad)Without Columbia's MFA program, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2016, Making a Murderer would not have happened. The crime doc series was hatched a decade ago when two graduate students — Moira Demos ('08) and Laura Ricciardi ('07) — began tracking the Steven Avery case.When they went on to make the show for Netflix in spring 2015, they chose one of their former professors, film program chair Maureen Ryan, to serve as production adviser. "Columbia is so focused on story, character and narrative — it played a major role in helping us turn thousands of hours of footage into something a layperson could follow," says Demos. Other faculty moonlight for Netflix as well, including Frank Pugliese, who in February was promoted to co-showrunner on House of Cards.NOTABLE ALUMNI Nicole Holofcener, James Mangold, James Ponsoldt4 UCLA School of Theater, Film and TelevisionTuition: $15,457 (in-state undergrad); $16,405-$26,917 (in-state grad); $42,139 (out-of-state undergrad); $31,507-$39,162 (out-of-state grad)There was grumbling when the undergraduate film program shifted from a two-year to a four-year program in 2014, but UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television remains the first choice for a huge number of aspiring filmmakers (only 2 percent of undergraduate applicants are accepted). Part of the reason is its free-spirited approach to filmmaking, encouraging students — and graduates — to experiment.When Francis Ford Coppola ('67) recently came up with his Live Cinema concept — a combination of live theater, film and TV performed in front of an audience — he tested it at his alma mater, with 75 students as his crew. And when Courtney Marsh ('09) came up with the idea of "traveling to a foreign country and filming a documentary in a language I didn't speak" — that would be her 2015 Oscar-nominated short Chau, Beyond the Lines, about a 16-year-old Vietnamese boy disabled by Agent Orange — UCLA guided her as she planned her trip."They even helped me in getting the funds," she says. When not lecturing at USC or NYU, James Franco sometimes teaches here as well.NOTABLE ALUMNI Frank Marshall, Justin Lin, Dustin Lance Black, George Takei3 New York University Tisch School of the ArtsTuition: $53,882 (undergrad); $56,804 (grad)NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, the best, most prestigious American film school east of the Hudson River, is alma mater to such cinematic heavyweights as Martin Scorsese, Oliver Stone and M. Night Shyamalan. Ang Lee ('82), after studying drama at the University of Illinois, arrived on the NYC campus barely speaking English but discovered the universal language of 16mm."Making movies was easier than every other thing I did in America. It's just sight and sound; I could speak broken English and make it work," says the director, who in November will release his experimental 120-frames-per-second film Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. NYU students create more than 5,000 movies a year — some on old-school celluloid — and can pick the brains of David Fincher, Sofia Coppola and scores of other A-list filmmakers as part of the recently launched Chair's Workshops series. James Franco not only sometimes teaches here, it's also where he got his MFA.NOTABLE ALUMNI Spike Lee, Jim Jarmusch, Cary Fukunaga, Joel Coen, Colin Trevorrow2 American Film InstituteTuition: $47,030 (first year); $58,216 (second year)AFI made history at this year's Student Academy Awards, becoming the first school to sweep the medals — gold, silver and bronze — in the narrative category. It can add those to the pile of trophies its alumni have collected during the past year, including prizes at the Cannes and Venice film festivals, and display them in the school's newly renovated library on its woodsy campus overlooking Hollywood.AFI's efforts toward gender equality also are awards-worthy: In 2015, for the first time, the incoming class for the directors program included more female students than male. The school's editing track is getting a boost with the hiring of Oscar nominee Matt Chesse, and students' thesis films are guaranteed distribution through American Film Institute, where they are available for rental or purchase. "The biggest lesson I learned at AFI was the challenge of executing a vision that you have to defend and get other people to collaborate on," says Patty Jenkins ('00), director of Warner Bros.' upcoming Wonder Woman. Jenkins' AFI thesis, by the way? A female superhero movie.NOTABLE ALUMNI Darren Aronofsky, David Lynch, Terrence Malick1 University of Southern California School of Cinematic ArtsTuition: $51,442 (undergrad); $46,454 (grad)USC's School of Cinematic Arts has been around since 1929, but THR's No. 1 film school — for a fourth consecutive year — always is one step ahead of its time. These days USC is betting big on virtual and augmented reality, with VR content company Jaunt announcing in January that it would fund a VR incubator at the school. The Jaunt Cinematic Virtual Reality Lab, under construction next door to the Zemeckis Center, will be home to courses like Directing in the Virtual World (taught by Oscar-winning visual effects artist Michael Fink).But the school is ahead of the curve in other ways as well, pushing Hollywood toward diversity: In October it received a $10 million endowment, partly from alum George Lucas ('67), earmarked for financial support for students from underrepresented communities. Says The Birth of a Nation producer Jason Michael Berman ('06), who teaches a course, "Filmmakers from diverse backgrounds have really incredible and important stories to tell, so to be able to offer those students these scholarships is going to be amazing and so important." USC's location — in Exposition Park — also keeps the school on top, providing easy access to many of the best brains in the business … and James Franco, who teaches one of his far-flung film courses here.NOTABLE ALUMNI Judd Apatow, John August, Susan Downey, Kevin Feige, Doug Liman, Shonda Rhimes, Bryan Singer, John Wells10 Best Film Schools in America of 2017 | TheBestColleges.org(Image Source)What is it that makes one film school superior to another? The process of creating a film, regardless of whether it is art, cinema, documentary or an event, or regardless of where it is filmed – Wyoming, Wisconsin, West Virginia – requires knowledge in a variety of areas. Camera operators must understand the theory behind film, the technology necessary to capture events on film and the knowledge to produce a meaningful series of images which convey the intended meaning behind the film. A good film school will teach students the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the functions required to accomplish this. An excellent film school will produce graduates who have developed an inherent understanding of what must be done, the creativity to produce unique projects and the ability to successfully implement their ideas. Developing a curriculum which matures each student’s natural abilities and cultivates an advanced understanding of what makes great film is essential to significant success in the commercial or private film industry.Camera operators will need to understand the foundational premises of a number of subject matters. Attaining an understanding of the areas of journalism, communications, marketing, graphic design, computers and photography are all valuable. Each field provides knowledge essential to the production of meaningful films. Students may need to develop a more in depth understanding of certain areas based on the type of film in which they intend to work. Certain schools may provide a general overview of the field but may concentrate more in one area than another. Schools which offer strong degree programs in film will provide sufficient training in each area to ensure graduates are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of the entire industry, not just small segments which barely cover the vital areas. By encompassing all of the subjects relevant to the film industry as a whole, students will be given the opportunity to explore the various areas of focus and make an informed decision as to where their strengths lie and which specialty is most relevant to their abilities.With the high level of competition expected for individuals vying for positions in the film industry, choosing the right school will be important. Graduates entering the film industry will need to rely substantially on the reputation of the school where the degree is earned to provide an advantage over other applicants applying for the same position. A limited number of entry level positions are expected to be available over the next several years. Competition for the available positions will be fierce. With limited practical experience, the quality of the education received by a candidate will be the factor employers will consider most when making a decision. Selecting a school ranked among the top in the nation will provide the advantage needed.1. Vanderbilt UniversityVanderbilt University was established in 1873 as a small private institution with ties to the church. Throughout the next century, Vanderbilt University grew exponentially in geographical size, student enrollment and in academic regard. Vanderbilt University has earned membership to the Association of American Universities and has placed among the top twenty private universities in the nation. The private research university possesses numerous degree programs which consistently rank among the top ten in the country. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, students are in close proximity to one of the main a cultural hubs in the nation. The flexible curriculum affords students the opportunity to tailor the degree programs to their educational goals. Alumni of the university boast leadership positions in the industries for which they studied. The University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.The interdisciplinary film studies degree programs provides a comprehensive education in the cinema arts. Students learn about the cultural, historical, theoretical and aesthetic aspects of the field. The students learn through academic exploration and practical experience and training. Required courses for the program include film studies, film theory, communication, culture and consciousness, cultural rhetoric of film, culture and society, history of art, America on Film. In addition to the major specific courses, students will be expected to complete general studies courses in communications studies, philosophy, psychology, Asian studies, art, and European studies. In addition to the curriculum, students have the opportunity to participate in the film festivals and contests hosted by the University where they have the opportunity to compete and showcase their work.2. University of ChicagoThe University of Chicago is a renowned research institution with a highly regarded curriculum. Considered a pioneer in education and research, the University of Chicago is credited with developing programs which have been duplicated across the nation. The college boasts more than 80 Nobel Prize winners among its faculty members and students as well as a Pulitzer Prize winner. University of Chicago has a history in film dating back to the late 1800’s when the institution provided one of the first public viewings of motion pictures. Since these early beginnings, the established Department of Cinema and Media Studies has evolved into a leader in the field. The challenging, interdisciplinary curriculum encompasses the central areas of theory, history and criticism, but also placing emphasis on video production and performance studies. The University of Chicago houses the oldest and most prominent student film society in the nation.The degree programs offered at the University of Chicago include both undergraduate and graduate programs. The degree programs examine the various cinematic forms and techniques and how cinema is affected by production. Students also analyze the method by which cinema conveys a story. The cinema studies courses will explore the aesthetic perspective of films, film culture and the styles of film. Additionally, the curriculum will include studies in narrative contexts, racial and national identity, transnational media production and circulation, commercial and leisure entertainment forms and consumer culture. Students will concentrate on American films with some examination of European, Russian and East Asian films. The curriculum requires students to complete coursework in general studies as well as cinema. Students take courses in Anthropology, art history, music, history, philosophy, English and Comparative Literature. Students will also be expected to complete a research paper3. University of Southern CaliforniaThe University of Southern California has earned its reputation as one of the top ranked film programs due to its high caliber degree program, central location, extensive resources and expert instructors. The university is dedicated to developing the creative and leadership abilities and skills in students through the study of film and interactive media. The concentration on experiential learning provides ample opportunity for students to gain practical experience. Students create their own short films; assuming the role of camera operators, writers, directors, scriptwriters and exploring the various other critical function of the film industry. The school is located in the cinema capital of the world, Los Angeles; in close proximity to motion picture and television companies. The University of Southern California offers unparalleled state of the art facilities which include sound stages, animation facilities, mixing theaters, digital classrooms, screening rooms, and post-production suites. The award faculty members are working professionals in the field; comprised of directors, screenwriters and a number of other professionals.The School of Cinematic Arts offers interdisciplinary undergraduate, graduate and doctorate degree programs in the creative field of film. The school is composed of six divisions and includes two research units. Students study the theory and practices of the film industry as well as fields with creative and cultural relevance. The curriculum provides exposure to all aspects of the various mediums of moving video including film, television and interactive video. Students, regardless of their area of focus, study all aspects of the field to develop an inherent understanding of the importance and impact of each and to expand their abilities into other areas. Students are provided with consistent opportunity to implement theory with substantial practice. Concentration areas include critical studies centering on the processes behind creating film and he effect of film on culture and social, political and economic facets of society; film and television production where students concentrate on scriptwriting and storytelling, editing, sound design, producing an directing; animation and digital arts, interactive media, producing program and media arts and practice.4. New York UniversityThe department of Cinema Studies at New York University was one of the earliest departments dedicated to the film discipline. Film studies at NYU concentrate on the traditional areas of history, theory and film aesthetics through interdisciplinary study. The impact of the international and cultural influences on film as well as the technologies and central mediums utilized to produce the finished results are also analyzed. The study of film at New York University isn’t limited to only the traditional scopes though; instead including the areas of video art, online projects and broadcast television. The program is consistently updated to include the various evolving aspects of the discipline, taking into consideration the changing nature of film. The 300 plus instructors within the department are professional artists with extensive experience in the profession. New York University offers an extensive library of videos for the use of its students. The weekly cinematic provides opportunities to participate in film screenings. Located in New York City, NYU provides substantial opportunities for cultural enrichment.New York University offers a number of degree options in the film major. Students are required to compile and submit a portfolio for admission into some of the major programs. Degree programs include the Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in cinema studies, a double major option with the second major in humanities, social sciences or arts, the Master of Arts in cinema studies or in moving image archiving and preservation and the PhD in cinema studies. Three areas of study are required for the major; core curriculum, small lecture courses in cinema studies and large lecture courses in film aesthetics, directors and genres. The curriculum includes an intensive expository writing requirement, courses in language, literature, dramatic literature, theater history, world through art, foreign language, world cultures and social science courses including journalism and linguistics and a quantitative reasoning and natural science course. The special programs offered at the school to enhance the experience include a study abroad option in places such as London, Prague, Shanghai and Dublin and summer internship opportunities.5. Cornell UniversityCornell University, labeled as one of the elite Ivy League schools, offers a long history of excellence in quality education, research and alumni success. The department of Theatre, Film and Dance at Cornell provides flexible degree options with an extensive range of opportunities. Students are afforded the opportunity to take courses in film without committing to the major. The major can be declared in the sophomore year, permitting students the time to decide which course of study they prefer to pursue. The interdisciplinary film studies programs encourage students to explore courses in many other related disciplines including history, romance studies, psychology, anthropology history, German studies and Asian studies. The Cornell Cinema Exhibition is an opportunity for students to explore and to screen a range of film samplings and participate in film workshops. Guest filmmakers come to the campus to participate in the events. Students are able to joint film making clubs where they can organize screenings of their work and receive funding for equipment and various projects.The students pursuing a film major at Cornell University are afforded exceptional flexibility in developing their degree programs. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered in film studies. Students can choose to complete a double major with another discipline or to create their own major developed from the film studies curriculum. Students can pursue a program in film studies or film production. Film studies centers on the history, theory and criticism of film. Students examine the various genres of film, the cultural contexts and the artistic and creative aspects. Film production concentrates on creating and developing ideas and learning the various techniques of filming including audio editing, using software tools and video editing. Students study the various genres of film; documentary, animation, narrative and take courses in directing, play writing, screenwriting and acting. All students are required to complete a senior project which provides the opportunity to create and experiment with their own film. The study abroad program allows students to spend their junior year in Paris at the Center for Film and Critical Studies.6. Columbia UniversityIn addition to being regarded as one of the top ranked national universities, Columbia University is considered one of the premier film schools in the country. At Columbia, the various forms of art, including film, are researched as vigorously as other disciplines. Students together with expert faculty members collaborate on intense and innovative research projects to create and discover new processes and techniques while still adhering to the curriculum studying the traditional concepts of history, theory and criticism. Columbia University adheres to a distinctive perspective of the study; endeavoring to develop unique methodologies from which to view the field. Students learn to and are encouraged to develop their own style and creativity through studying and analyzing the experts from the past and present, learning the history of the field and exploring related disciplines and how they impact and affect the discipline. The intellectual aspects of the field are emphasized as much as the creative.Students are able to pursue both undergraduate and graduate degree programs in film studies. The curriculum permits students to explore the discipline from varying perspectives. Students can choose a program which focuses on art, technology or even cultural significance. The program includes coursework in the arts and humanities. Students will create a program with the assistance of an adviser comprised of twelve required courses. Courses include introduction to the study and theory of film, auteur studies, genre studies, national cinemas, film theory, lab in fiction film making, script analysis, narrative strategies in screen writing and non fiction film making. Intense concentration on writing, seminars in screenwriting and film making are also part of the curriculum. Internship opportunities with film companies are offered to students. Other opportunities to participate in film projects can be found with the student run film organization.7. University of California – BerkeleyThe University of California Berkeley campus is a part of the renowned California University system. Film studies at Berkeley encompass the traditional, historical forms of moving-image as well as the most recent, cutting edge developments in the industry. The degree programs emphasize theoretical and historical analysis of films in humanitarian and interdisciplinary studies context. Students are able to attend the Pacific Film Archive, a highly regarded internationally recognized cinematheque where film makers are able to visit the campus to screen films. Located in one of the cultural hubs of the world, the University of California provides extensive opportunities for students to explore the various aspects and settings of the film industry. The advisers help students develop a plan to ensure all requirements are met and to answer any questions concerning courses and internships.The students majoring in film studies at the University of California Berkeley have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Students are also offered the option of pursuing a double major. Students will complete courses including history of silent and sound film, documentary and the avant-garde film, film theory, film genres, introductory film and video production, screenwriting, and a variety of courses centering on specific film makers and various national cinemas. The curriculum develops the student’s skills in analytical thinking, critical thinking, communications and visual literacy. Students also study political science, anthropology, ethnic studies, women’s studies, comparative literature and foreign languages. Hands on production opportunities are sometimes offered as are internship opportunities with local film and video production companies and the Pacific Film Archive and journal Film Quarterly.8. University of PennsylvaniaAs one of the top ranked Universities in the nation, the University of Pennsylvania is a premier institute of higher learning. The university offers superior degree programs, expert faculty instructors and an advantageous location in the cultural center of Philadelphia. The university has a pioneering history in cinema studies, beginning with controversial performances in the late 1800’s. Cinema studies at the University of Pennsylvania center on the essential areas of history, theory and criticism, but also encompass the vital aspects of production and screenwriting. The University of Pennsylvania boasts among its alumni DreamWorks CEO, former presidents of CBS and Warner Home Video, current president of Columbia Pictures and directors from the renowned Sundance Film Festival; evidence of the quality of its cinema program. The University of Pennsylvania possesses extensive film library within the department from which students are allowed to borrow. Students are offered the opportunity to participate in the study abroad programs which enables them to attend festival screenings or experience the preservation and archiving of the National Film Archive.Cinema degree programs at the University of Pennsylvania are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students are also offered the option of pursuing the field as either a major or minor course of study and of pursuing a certificate program in graduate studies. Studies incorporate a traditional humanities program framework; studying theory, history and aesthetics. Students will analyze national cinemas, international film movements, legal and political forces governing film industry practices, various film makers and film and media theory. The curriculum for the cinema studies degree programs are interdisciplinary; drawing substantially on a variety of methodological approaches from varying subjects for studying the discipline. Students will evaluate the relationship between film and other various forms of art. Coursework can include such diverse courses as languages and literature, women studies, romance languages, fine arts, communications, anthropology, English and history. Other required and elective courses will include world film history, introduction to film theory, Soviet montage theory, French auteur theory, and a range of enema courses in various cultural areas.9. Yale UniversityYale University is ranked among the top universities in the nation and has earned international recognition for the superior quality of its degree programs. The Film Studies programs offered at Yale University are no exception. Film studies are considered as an artistic expression with significant cultural and social import. The programs concentrate on the history, theory and criticism of film. Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered in film studies. Students are offered the opportunity to create films or videos as part of the curriculum and possibly gain admission to either the fiction or documentary film workshops. Students are encouraged to develop a collaborative relationship with other departments; utilizing resources which are relevant to film studies and completing course within the department which will complement the area of interest which they want to pursue. The lecture series offered at Yale University in Film Studies provides opportunities to hear renowned experts discuss various aspects of the film industry.The interdisciplinary degree programs in film studies encompass all of the essential elements of the discipline. Students are permitted to develop a curriculum tailored to their interests, pending approval by a committee within the department. Students are expected to complete certain prerequisite courses including introduction to film studies. Other required courses include Close Analysis of Film, Film Theory and Aesthetics, Issues in Contemporary Film Theory and studies in international, cultural films. The production seminar courses, theater studies, creative writing and art concentrate on the creative aspect of the film process. An area of concentration is expected to be chosen by each student in history of art, literature, philosophy, social sciences, film theory, productions, race and gender, photography, or national or regional cultures and their cinemas. All students are required to complete a senior essay or project which incorporates all of the knowledge and skills gained throughout the student’s years in the film degree program.10. University of California – Los AngelesThe University of at Los Angeles has long been regarded as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the nation. The School of Theater, Film and Television within UCLA maintains that reputation continuing with the tradition through rigorous and dynamic degree programs, award winning faculty members and advisors and extensive resources and network connections. The curriculum concentrates on the traditional areas of theory, practice and criticism; with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, analytical thinking and creative development. UCLA prepares the future leaders of the industry by encouraging innovation and risk taking. Students enrolled at UCLA have access the school’s renowned film and television archive; the largest of its type in the world. UCLA hosts workshops credited with developing exceptional skills in various areas of the field of cinema. UCLA also offers summer programs for high school students, college students and professionals. The online film program offers the opportunity to complete courses at the convenience of the student.The University of California at Los Angeles offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the field. Students intending to enroll in the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television will only be able to do so in the last two years of their undergraduate program. The first two years of the program will be dedicated to general educational studies. Coursework include foundational arts and humanities, society and culture, scientific inquiry, writing, foreign language, literature, American history and institutions. The curriculum provides a comprehensive overview of the field. Students learn all of the relevant areas of the field; the conceptual areas of history and theory as well as the technical and creative aspects. Storytelling is a main focus of the field as it is considered the central element of film. Additional areas meant to expound the students abilities and understanding include special effects for film and television, digital library research and archival restoration, computer animation, interactive television and web based media arts.