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:
- $14,740 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,140 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 6,604
- Setting:
- urban
Newark, NJ
A public institution, New Jersey Institute of Technology was founded in 1881. New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a Greek system, where 3.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 5.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,442 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,457 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 19,009
- Setting:
- city
Stillwater, OK
Oklahoma State University is a large public institution in Stillwater. The OSU Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,082 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,212 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 20,621
- Setting:
- suburban
Corvallis, OR
Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University (OSU) is about 90 minutes south of Portland and an hour drive from the Pacific coast. OSU students can get involved in hundreds of clubs and Greek life and attend events such as the “Civil War” football game against University of Oregon.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,566 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,939
- Setting:
- urban
Brooklyn, NY
The Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU—Poly) emphasizes research, innovation, and a combination of academic and professional experience. The school is affiliated with New York University.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,784 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,816 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,878
- Setting:
- urban
Cincinnati, OH
Students at the University of Cincinnati (UC) can explore more than 300 campus organizations, join Greek life, or play Division I sports. Notable UC alumni include Joseph Strauss, who designed the Golden Gate Bridge, and Abe Bookman, who invented the Magic 8-ball toy.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,258 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,170 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 3,744
- Setting:
- city
Orangeburg, SC
A public institution, South Carolina State University was founded in 1896. South Carolina State University offers a Greek system, where 32.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 38.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $35,520 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,766
- Setting:
- urban
Queens, NY
St. John's University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,766, with a gender distribution of 45.6 percent male students and 54.4 percent female students. At this school, 31.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 69.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,050 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,440 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 16,925
- Setting:
- urban
Chicago, IL
The University of Illinois—Chicago, also known as UIC, is a large, public research institution. About one in every 20 Chicago residents attended UIC.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,366 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,454 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 13,219
- Setting:
- rural
Kingston, RI
Located in the village of Kingston, the University of Rhode Island (URI) has clubs and Division I sports on campus and nearby beaches off campus. Notable URI alumni include oceanographer Robert Ballard, who discovered the sunken Titanic.
- Tuition and fees:
- $27,370 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,871
- Setting:
- suburban
Rochester, NY
St. John Fisher College was established in 1948 as a private institution. St. John Fisher College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,740 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,730 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,128
- Setting:
- urban
Birmingham, AL
A public institution, University of Alabama--Birmingham was founded in 1969. University of Alabama--Birmingham offers a Greek system, where 2.9 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 2.4 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,282 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,266 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,346
- Setting:
- rural
University, MS
The University of Mississippi, better known as Ole Miss, is a large public institution in the college town of Oxford. About 35 percent of the student body is active in Greek life.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,168 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $28,194 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,760
- Setting:
- suburban
Richardson, TX
Founded in 1969, University of Texas--Dallas is a public institution. University of Texas--Dallas follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $29,320 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,021
- Setting:
- suburban
Garden City, NY
Adelphi University is a private institution that was founded in 1896. The school has 48.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Adelphi University is 13:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $12,726 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,016 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 18,594
- Setting:
- city
Normal, IL
Located about 130 miles southwest of Chicago, the Illinois State University campus is in the town of Normal. First year students at ISU can take the Learning in Communities seminar, allowing them to attend one of their first college courses in small groups with their peers and learn about each other and the university.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,404 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,652 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,402
- Setting:
- urban
Honolulu, HI
A public institution, University of Hawaii--Manoa was founded in 1907. University of Hawaii--Manoa offers a Greek system, where 1.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 1.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,594 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,454 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,911
- Setting:
- rural
Orono, ME
At the University of Maine, students participate in annual events such as Maine Day, when the school hosts a parade, and then together, everyone helps clean the campus. Notable UMaine alumni include bestselling horror author Stephen King, who wrote Carrie, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $4,278 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $13,428 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,163
- Setting:
- suburban
Laramie, WY
At the University of Wyoming, students can study in nearly 200 programs, including those in the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Through this program, students can explore many interesting places and activities in courses such as Alaska Mountaineering, Himalaya Backpacking, and Baja Sea Kayaking.
- Tuition and fees:
- $34,710 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,724
- Setting:
- city
Melbourne, FL
The Florida Institute of Technology originally started as a training facility for space industry professionals and now offers a wide range of degree programs to undergraduates. About half of the student body enrolls in the school’s College of Business.
- Tuition and fees:
- $23,746 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,035
- Setting:
- suburban
St Louis, MO
Maryville University of St. Louis was established in 1872 as a private institution. Maryville University of St. Louis follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
