The Best Colleges In America 2020 ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews from students and alumni.
The ranking compares more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S. Read more on calculating this ranking.
As the new school will be in September 2020, you want to pick The Best Colleges In America that you will feel comfortable at and be a successful student and graduate with a degree.
Here Are The Best Colleges In America 2020
10. Rice University
Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. It was founded in 1912 and is currently the third-largest university in Texas. Rice has a total enrollment of 6,715 students and a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. The university offers undergraduate and graduates degrees in over 120 areas of study. Rice is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in America.
Acceptance Rate: 16%
SAT Range: 1490 – 1580
ACT Range: 33- 35
9. University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1740 by Benjamin Franklin, the university is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. The University of Pennsylvania was the first institution of higher learning in the United States to award a doctorate to a woman, Jane A. Bouvé, in 1876.
Acceptance Rate: 9%
SAT Range: 1420- 1560
ACT Range: 32- 35
8. Columbia University
Columbia University is considered one of the best colleges in America. Columbia is ranked as the 4th best university in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. The school has a total enrollment of over 27,000 students and offers over 400-degree programs. Columbia also has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 130 countries represented.
The school is known for its strong academics, with top-rated business, law, medicine, and engineering programs. Columbia also has a great campus life, with plenty of extracurricular activities and athletics opportunities.
Acceptance Rate: 7%
SAT Range: 1410- 1570
ACT Range: 31- 34
7. Brown University
Brown University is a private Ivy League research university in Providence, Rhode Island. Founded in 1764 as the College of Rhode Island, Brown is the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the United States. Brown is also one of the nine original Colonial Colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
The university comprises The College, the Graduate School, Alpert Medical School, and the School of Engineering. Brown’s undergraduate program is “need-blind” and “guarantees admission to all applicants from U.S. states with low median family incomes and who are academically talented.”
Acceptance Rate: 8%
SAT Range: 1400- 1570
ACT Range: 31- 35
6. Duke University
Duke University is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in America. In 2020, it was ranked as the 6th best college in America by U.S. News and World Report. Duke has a solid academic curriculum and a wealth of opportunities for students to get involved on campus. Duke also offers several unique majors, including biomedical engineering and environmental policy.
Acceptance Rate: 10%
SAT Range: 1380- 1540
ACT Range: 31- 35
5. Princeton University
Princeton University is one of the best colleges in America, and it has been consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the country. It offers a wide range of majors and degree programs, and it has a strong focus on research and academics. Princeton also has a beautiful campus, and it is located in a great location in Princeton, New Jersey.
SAT Range: 1430- 1570
ACT Range: 31- 35
4. Harvard University
Harvard University is one of the most prestigious schools in the United States. It consistently ranks as one of the best colleges in America. The school offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. Harvard is known for its strong academics and top-notch faculty. The school also has a beautiful campus located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Acceptance Rate: 5%
SAT Range: 1460- 1590
ACT Range: 32- 35
3. Yale University
Yale University Is one of the best colleges in America, and it has been around for a long time. It was founded in 1701 and is one of the oldest universities in the United States. Yale is also one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
It is a member of the Ivy League and has been ranked number one by U.S. News & World Report for six consecutive years. Yale offers a wide variety of majors and minors and unique programs like its Film Studies program and its Jazz Studies program.
The campus is beautiful, and there are plenty of things to do on campus, like playing sports, going to the library, or checking out one of the many performing arts venues. 5. Yale also has a great student life, with plenty of opportunities to participate on campus
Acceptance Rate: 7%
SAT Range: 1460- 1580
ACT Range: 32- 35
2. Stanford University
Stanford University is consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in America. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford has a long history of being a leader in technology and innovation.
The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, and its faculty are some of the most respected in the world. Stanford is also known for its strong community spirit, with students and alumni doing impressive things both on and off-campus.
Acceptance Rate: 5%
SAT Range: 1390- 1540
ACT Range: 32- 35
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is one of the world’s most prestigious universities and is often ranked as the best college in America. MIT has a long history of academic excellence and is known for its rigorous coursework and cutting-edge research. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 100 student clubs and organizations.
Acceptance Rate: 7%
SAT Range: 1490- 1570
ACT Range: 33- 35
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