National University Rankings
National University Methodology
Schools in the National Universities category, such as Columbia University and Stanford University, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.
To see full rankings, SAT/ACT scores, scholarship and grant information, graduation rates, and more, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass!
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,040 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,068 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,495
- Setting:
- city
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico State University (NMSU) has five locations, with the main campus situated in Las Cruces. NMSU is home to the Chile Pepper Institute, which promotes the state vegetable.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,044 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,510 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,306
- Setting:
- suburban
DeKalb, IL
Students at Northern Illinois University (NIU) can join more than 200 clubs, nearly 40 Greek-letter organizations, and numerous Division I sports teams. Notable NIU alumni include Dan Castellaneta, who voices several characters on the animated television show The Simpsons.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,834 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,570 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 12,674
- Setting:
- urban
Denver, CO
University of Colorado—Denver offers about 130 areas of study, including top-ranked health and medical master’s programs at the Anschutz Medical Campus. In their free time, CU Denver students can get involved in more than 100 campus organizations, as well as student government, ROTC, and volunteer opportunities.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,248 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,844 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,820
- Setting:
- city
Reno, NV
The University of Nevada—Reno is located on the western edge of the state on the border between the Great Basin and the Sierra Nevada. Off campus, Nevada students can visit the nearby Lake Tahoe, check out the museums and festivals of Reno, and drive just a few hours to California’s capital of Sacramento or the San Francisco Bay Area.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,136 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,934 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,660
- Setting:
- city
Greensboro, NC
At the University of North Carolina—Greensboro (UNCG), students can get involved in more than 200 organizations and Division I sports. Notable UNCG alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Claudia Emerson and Tony Award-winning actress Beth Leavel.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,606 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,338 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 20,054
- Setting:
- city
Kalamazoo, MI
Located in Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University offers more than 300 student organizations, nearly 30 fraternities and sororities, and many Division I sports. Off campus, WMU students can check out Kalamazoo’s zoo, theater, and festivals, or drive 40 minutes to the Lake Michigan beaches of South Haven.
- Tuition and fees:
- $36,382 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,347
- Setting:
- city
Chester, PA
At Widener University in Chester, Pa., many students help the community by mentoring local children, building houses, and donating blood. Notable Widener University alumni include esteemed film director Cecil B. DeMille.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,318 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,896 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,589
- Setting:
- city
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University was established in 1907 as a public institution. East Carolina University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,871 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $13,020 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 9,109
- Setting:
- rural
Ruston, LA
A public institution, Louisiana Tech University was founded in 1894. Louisiana Tech University offers a Greek system, where 6.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 5.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,404 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $9,350 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,993
- Setting:
- rural
Brookings, SD
South Dakota State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 10,993, with a gender distribution of 47.8 percent male students and 52.2 percent female students. At this school, 41.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 59.0 percent of students live off campus.
