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.
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- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,508 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,334 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 27,702
- Setting:
- urban
Philadelphia, PA
Temple University is an urban college in Philadelphia that offers housing to freshman and sophomore students. Center City, a hub of shopping and city life, is less than two miles from campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,676 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,864 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 20,099
- Setting:
- city
Lexington, KY
Located in the city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky offers Division I sports, Greek life, and nearly 350 student organizations. Off campus, Lexington can also be a source of fun for students, who can shop, golf, tour a museum, browse the farmers’ market, or spend a day at the horse track.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,212 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,912 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 24,297
- Setting:
- urban
Salt Lake City, UT
The University of Utah is known to students as the U of U or simply The U. Its campus is located in the state capital, Salt Lake City.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $12,300 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,382 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,763
- Setting:
- rural
Pullman, WA
Washington State University is a public school that is committed to research. In addition to its campus in Pullman, the school has regional locations in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, as well as in Vancouver.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,216 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,180 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,655
- Setting:
- city
Athens, OH
Ohio University is a public school in Athens that operates on the quarter system. Students are required to live on campus for six quarters unless they commute from a parent’s nearby home.
- Tuition and fees:
- $34,750 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,148
- Setting:
- suburban
South Orange, NJ
A private, Catholic school in South Orange, N.J., Seton Hall University is about a 30-minute train ride to New York City. Many students take advantage of the university’s location by interning and job hunting in the nearby city while still enjoying the clubs, Greek life, and Division I sports on campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,525 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,145 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,779
- Setting:
- suburban
Albany, NY
The University at Albany, part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, offers a wide range of academic programs, including many highly ranked graduate degrees such as criminal justice and public affairs. Notable Albany alumni include Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man elected to a major political office in America and the subject of the movie Milk, starring Sean Penn.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,608 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $24,400 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 23,261
- Setting:
- city
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado State University, also known as CSU, is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in the city of Fort Collins. CSU students have opportunities to conduct research with faculty, join one of the hundreds of campus organizations, or cheer on more than 15 Division I sports teams.
- Tuition and fees:
- $32,295 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 16,384
- Setting:
- urban
Chicago, IL
DePaul University is a large institution spread across six campuses in and around Chicago. The university offers a variety of academic programs, including the School for New Learning, which caters exclusively to adult students.
- Tuition and fees:
- $35,450 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 7,183
- Setting:
- suburban
Hempstead, NY
Attending Hofstra University, a school in Long Island, N.Y., means students are in close proximity to the attractions and internships available in New York City. Close to 15 percent of the student body is active in Greek life.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,354 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,362 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 23,977
- Setting:
- urban
Baton Rouge, LA
LSU, or Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge, is a public institution in the southeast region of the state, near the Mississippi River. Students at LSU can explore more than 350 student organizations or visit several free museums and an arboretum.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,554 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,434 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 19,027
- Setting:
- city
Fayetteville, AR
Located in the city of Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas is a public school with many opportunities for students on campus, including several media outlets and events featuring famous speakers and musical acts. Graduate students can choose from several programs, including those in the law school, where Bill and Hillary Clinton taught before they moved to the White House.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,724 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,977 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 58,404
- Setting:
- urban
Tempe, AZ
As one of the largest schools in the country, Arizona State University offers students more than 275 majors, 500 clubs and organizations, and 300 study abroad opportunities. It has four campuses throughout Phoenix.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,620 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,764 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 20,782
- Setting:
- suburban
Fairfax, VA
George Mason University is suburban school not far from Washington, D.C. Despite a large commuter population, the school offers a Weekends at Mason program and events for students who stick around after the school week is complete.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,657 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,123 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 19,385
- Setting:
- city
Manhattan, KS
Kansas State University is located in the northeast region of the state and is home to the Biosecurity Research Institute, where students can train to research infectious diseases, and the Landon Lecture Series, which has hosted many prestigious speakers, including five former U.S. presidents.
- 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
New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1881. The school has 33.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at New Jersey Institute of Technology is 16:1.
- 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
South Carolina State University is a public institution that was founded in 1896. The school has 49.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at South Carolina State University is 17:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $35,520 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,766
- Setting:
- urban
Queens, NY
St. John's University was established in 1870 as a private institution. St. John's University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- 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
Founded in 1948, St. John Fisher College is a private institution. St. John Fisher College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
