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!
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,994 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 18,140
- Setting:
- urban
Boston, MA
Boston University was established in 1839 as a private institution. Boston University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $45,240 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,338
- Setting:
- urban
New Orleans, LA
A private institution, Tulane University was founded in 1834. Tulane University offers a Greek system, where 16.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 10.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $42,772 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,474
- Setting:
- suburban
Malibu, CA
Pepperdine University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,474, with a gender distribution of 44.4 percent male students and 55.6 percent female students. At this school, 58.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 42.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,656 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,933 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 32,598
- Setting:
- suburban
Gainesville, FL
Founded in 1853, University of Florida is a public institution. University of Florida follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered most selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,736 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,913
- Setting:
- urban
Boston, MA
Northeastern University is a private institution that was founded in 1898. The school has 63.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Northeastern University is 13:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,037 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,445 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 42,916
- Setting:
- urban
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University--Columbus was established in 1870 as a public institution. Ohio State University--Columbus follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,732 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,427
- Setting:
- urban
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,750 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 6,221
- Setting:
- city
Dallas, TX
Southern Methodist University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,221, with a gender distribution of 48.3 percent male students and 51.7 percent female students. At this school, 33.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 67.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,004 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,671
- Setting:
- city
Syracuse, NY
Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a private institution. Syracuse University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,908 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,287 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,775
- Setting:
- suburban
College Park, MD
University of Maryland--College Park is a public institution that was founded in 1856. The school has 34.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Maryland--College Park is 18:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $16,590 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $26,280 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 18,427
- Setting:
- urban
Pittsburgh, PA
University of Pittsburgh was established in 1787 as a public institution. University of Pittsburgh follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,242 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $29,074 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,815
- Setting:
- rural
Storrs, CT
A public institution, University of Connecticut was founded in 1881. University of Connecticut offers a Greek system, where 11.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 9.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,842 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $28,052 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,373
- Setting:
- city
Athens, GA
University of Georgia has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,373, with a gender distribution of 42.3 percent male students and 57.7 percent female students. At this school, 30.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 70.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,900 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $28,702 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 30,776
- Setting:
- city
West Lafayette, IN
Founded in 1869, Purdue University--West Lafayette is a public institution. Purdue University--West Lafayette follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,505 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,035 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 39,867
- Setting:
- city
College Station, TX
Texas A&M University--College Station is a public institution that was founded in 1876. The school has 19.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Texas A&M University--College Station is 21:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $41,380 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,849
- Setting:
- city
Worcester, MA
Worcester Polytechnic Institute was established in 1865 as a private institution. Worcester Polytechnic Institute follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $4,710 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 30,684
- Setting:
- city
Provo, UT
A private institution, Brigham Young University--Provo was founded in 1875.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $12,674 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $29,600 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,836
- Setting:
- suburban
Clemson, SC
Clemson University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 15,836, with a gender distribution of 54.1 percent male students and 45.9 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.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,073 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $26,393 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 31,268
- Setting:
- urban
Piscataway, NJ
Founded in 1766, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--New Brunswick is a public institution. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey--New Brunswick follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,022 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,022 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 34,812
- Setting:
- urban
Minneapolis, MN
University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is a public institution that was founded in 1851. The school has 40.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Minnesota--Twin Cities is 21:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $12,203 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $31,148 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 36,675
- Setting:
- suburban
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University was established in 1855 as a public institution. Michigan State University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,057 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $26,279 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,564
- Setting:
- city
Iowa City, IA
A public institution, University of Iowa was founded in 1847. University of Iowa offers a Greek system, where 14.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 10.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,930 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,320 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 23,700
- Setting:
- rural
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,700, with a gender distribution of 58.2 percent male students and 41.8 percent female students.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,561 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,427
- Setting:
- city
Hoboken, NJ
Founded in 1870, Stevens Institute of Technology is a private institution. Stevens Institute of Technology follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,192 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $27,462 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 17,120
- Setting:
- suburban
Newark, DE
University of Delaware is a public institution that was founded in 1743. The school has 36.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Delaware is 15:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,499 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 7,212
- Setting:
- suburban
Washington, DC
American University was established in 1893 as a private institution. American University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $33,916 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,575
- Setting:
- city
Waco, TX
A private institution, Baylor University was founded in 1845. Baylor University offers a Greek system, where 21.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 13.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $15,654 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $30,684 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,946
- Setting:
- suburban
Golden, CO
Colorado School of Mines has a total undergraduate enrollment of 3,946, with a gender distribution of 74.1 percent male students and 25.9 percent female students. At this school, 39.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 61.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,570 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $15,820 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,744
- Setting:
- city
Syracuse, NY
Founded in 1911, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry is a public institution. SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,200 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,950 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,234
- Setting:
- city
Tuscaloosa, AL
University of Alabama is a public institution that was founded in 1831. The school has 45.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Alabama is 19:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,416 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $36,294 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,945
- Setting:
- suburban
Santa Cruz, CA
University of California--Santa Cruz was established in 1965 as a public institution. University of California--Santa Cruz follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $38,450 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,311
- Setting:
- city
- Tuition and fees:
- $36,090 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,899
- Setting:
- urban
Philadelphia, PA
Drexel University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,899, with a gender distribution of 55.6 percent male students and 44.4 percent female students. At this school, 28.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 72.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,033 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $31,483 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 32,543
- Setting:
- city
Bloomington, IN
Founded in 1820, Indiana University--Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University--Bloomington follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $33,244 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,387
- Setting:
- urban
Milwaukee, WI
Marquette University is a private institution that was founded in 1881. The school has 38.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Marquette University is 15:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,177 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,453
- Setting:
- urban
Denver, CO
University of Denver was established in 1864 as a private institution. University of Denver follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $31,198 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 3,004
- Setting:
- city
Tulsa, OK
A private institution, University of Tulsa was founded in 1894. University of Tulsa offers a Greek system, where 23.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 21.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,446 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $25,190 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 20,446
- Setting:
- suburban
Auburn University, AL
Auburn University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 20,446, with a gender distribution of 51.0 percent male students and 49.0 percent female students. At this school, 20.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 80.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,613 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,761 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,861
- Setting:
- suburban
Binghamton, NY
Founded in 1946, Binghamton University--SUNY is a public institution. Binghamton University--SUNY follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,595 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $29,158 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,936
- Setting:
- rural
Oxford, OH
Miami University--Oxford is a public institution that was founded in 1809. The school has 30.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Miami University--Oxford is 17:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $35,246 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,670
- Setting:
- urban
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis University was established in 1818 as a private institution. St. Louis University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,514 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,134 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,926
- Setting:
- suburban
Stony Brook, NY
A public institution, Stony Brook University--SUNY was founded in 1957. Stony Brook University--SUNY offers a Greek system, where 3.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 2.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- Tuition and fees:
- $34,590 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,229
- Setting:
- suburban
Fort Worth, TX
Texas Christian University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,229, with a gender distribution of 40.9 percent male students and 59.1 percent female students. At this school, 49.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 51.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $39,970 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,493
- Setting:
- urban
San Diego, CA
Founded in 1949, University of San Diego is a private institution. University of San Diego follows a 4-1-4-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $15,254 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $35,582 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,482
- Setting:
- city
Burlington, VT
University of Vermont is a public institution that was founded in 1791. The school has 47.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Vermont is 17:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,825 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,992 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 32,201
- Setting:
- city
Tallahassee, FL
At Florida State University, a public school in Tallahassee, students have more than 550 organizations to consider joining. The Florida State Seminoles sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I and are especially known for baseball and football.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,482 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $31,378 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,325
- Setting:
- city
Boulder, CO
A public institution, University of Colorado--Boulder was founded in 1876. University of Colorado--Boulder offers a Greek system, where 16.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 14.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $13,230 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $26,645 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 21,812
- Setting:
- suburban
Amherst, MA
Students at the University of Massachusetts—Amherst can choose from about 90 majors or can design their own. The school’s University Without Walls program offers flexible course schedules for adult students.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,257 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,366 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,024
- Setting:
- city
Columbia, MO
Founded in 1839, University of Missouri is a public institution. University of Missouri follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered more selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,726 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,838 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 24,343
- Setting:
- city
Ames, IA
Iowa State University is a public institution that was founded in 1858. The school has 30.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Iowa State University is 18:1.
