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:
- $7,740 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,730 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,128
- Setting:
- urban
Birmingham, AL
University of Alabama--Birmingham has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,128, with a gender distribution of 41.7 percent male students and 58.3 percent female students. At this school, 20.7 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 79.3 percent of students live off campus.
- 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
University of Texas--Dallas is a public institution that was founded in 1969. The school has 21.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Texas--Dallas is 21:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $29,320 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,021
- Setting:
- suburban
Garden City, NY
Adelphi University was established in 1896 as a private institution. Adelphi University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- 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
University of Hawaii--Manoa has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,402, with a gender distribution of 46.2 percent male students and 53.8 percent female students. At this school, 23.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 75.0 percent of students live off campus.
- 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
A private institution, Maryville University of St. Louis was founded in 1872.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,264 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $15,828 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 16,312
- Setting:
- rural
Mississippi State, MS
At Mississippi State University, students value school traditions by participating in The Drill pep rally, and by cheering with Bully, the live bulldog mascot. Notable MSU alumni include bestselling author John Grisham, who earned a degree in accounting.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,930 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,650 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 15,597
- Setting:
- urban
Louisville, KY
At the University of Louisville in Kentucky, students can participate in Division I sports, Greek life, and more than 250 clubs. The campus is also home to an art museum, planetarium, and Auguste Rodin’s original sculpture of The Thinker.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,764 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,825 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,573
- Setting:
- suburban
Baltimore, MD
University of Maryland— Baltimore County (UMBC) offers more than 40 undergraduate majors and more than 30 graduate programs. Students can have fun outside of academics by participating in about 250 student organizations, pledging with one of the nearly 20 fraternities and sororities, and playing Division I sports
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,076 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,236 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,371
- Setting:
- suburban
San Diego, CA
San Diego State University was established in 1897 as a public institution. San Diego State University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,765 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,155 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 26,063
- Setting:
- city
Lubbock, TX
Texas Tech University is a large public school in the college town of Lubbock. The Red Raiders sports teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference and are particularly well known for football and basketball.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,212 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,000 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 9,586
- Setting:
- rural
Moscow, ID
At University of Idaho in Moscow, students can explore the restaurants and festivals in the city, or get involved with more than 200 clubs and Division I sports on campus. Idaho’s silver-and-gold sports teams are called the Vandals, thanks to an old newspaper account of the 1917 basketball team vandalizing their opponents on the court.
- Tuition and fees:
- $33,350 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,172
- Setting:
- suburban
La Verne, CA
Founded in 1891, University of La Verne is a private institution. University of La Verne follows a 4-1-4-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,090 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,868 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,711
- Setting:
- suburban
Morgantown, WV
A public school in the small city of Morgantown, West Virginia University offers several degrees and is home to the Center for Civic Engagement, which gives class credit for community service. Students can also get involved with Greek life, Division I sports, and more than 300 student organizations.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,852 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,965 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,729
- Setting:
- city
Lowell, MA
University of Massachusetts--Lowell was established in 1894 as a public institution. University of Massachusetts--Lowell follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,254 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,170 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,522
- Setting:
- city
Grand Forks, ND
Located on the eastern edge of the state in the city of Grand Forks, the University of North Dakota (UND) offers nearly 300 academic fields, including a highly ranked rural medicine program. Notable UND alumni include Sally Smith, CEO of the Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant franchise.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,806 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $14,994 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 29,975
- Setting:
- urban
Tampa, FL
The University of South Florida, or USF, is a large public school that is committed to research. The school has a sizeable commuter population and offers bus transportation and a commuter network to accommodate students who don’t live on campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,885 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,300 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 23,754
- Setting:
- urban
Richmond, VA
Virginia Commonwealth University, or VCU, is a public school in Richmond. Cheering on the school’s Division I sports teams, the VCU Rams, is a popular outlet for students.
- Tuition and fees:
- $31,004 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 4,271
- Setting:
- suburban
La Mirada, CA
Biola University is a private institution that was founded in 1908. The school has 45.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Biola University is 14:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $36,504 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,025
- Setting:
- urban
New York, NY
Pace University students can choose from the school’s two campuses: one in the Financial District of New York City, the other in suburban Pleasantville, N.Y. Inside the Actors Studio, a television show on Bravo, is filmed at the school’s urban location.
- Tuition and fees:
- $28,320 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 2,061
- Setting:
- city
Winona, MN
A private institution, St. Mary's University of Minnesota was founded in 1912. St. Mary's University of Minnesota offers a Greek system, where 3.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 4.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,584 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,063 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 49,900
- Setting:
- suburban
Orlando, FL
The University of Central Florida is based in Orlando and has regional campuses throughout the middle of the state. The school has more than 350 clubs and organizations for students to consider joining.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,931 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,078 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 23,279
- Setting:
- city
Logan, UT
Founded in 1888, Utah State University is a public institution. Utah State University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $31,076 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 5,998
- Setting:
- suburban
Azusa, CA
Azusa Pacific University is a private institution that was founded in 1899. The school has 68.6 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Azusa Pacific University is 13:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $23,740 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,951
- Setting:
- city
Madison, WI
Edgewood College was established in 1927 as a private institution. Edgewood College follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $11,153 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,844 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,000
- Setting:
- rural
Carbondale, IL
A public institution, Southern Illinois University--Carbondale was founded in 1869. Southern Illinois University--Carbondale offers a Greek system, where 7.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 8.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,220 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $21,754 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,134
- Setting:
- urban
Kansas City, MO
At the University of Missouri—Kansas City (UMKC), students can explore more than 175 clubs and about 15 Greek-letter organizations. Former President Harry Truman attended the law school at UMKC for two years and later received the school’s first honorary degree.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,809 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,919 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 22,643
- Setting:
- urban
Albuquerque, NM
Founded in 1889, University of New Mexico is a public institution. University of New Mexico follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,980 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $23,650 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,627
- Setting:
- suburban
Muncie, IN
At Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., undergraduate students can choose from about 180 majors, including the highly ranked entrepreneurship program. Notable alumni include late-night talk show host David Letterman, who created a scholarship for creative Ball State media students with average grades.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,520 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,828 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 15,059
- Setting:
- rural
Bowling Green, OH
Located about 85 miles south of Detroit in northern Ohio, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) offers more than 300 student clubs, about 40 Greek organizations, and an anonymous, masked spirit crew. Notable alumni include Academy Award-winning actress Eva Marie Saint.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,233 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,478 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,911
- Setting:
- city
Fargo, ND
Located in the city of Fargo, North Dakota State University (NDSU) offers more than 100 academic majors and Division I sports. Notable NDSU alumni include Alf Clausen, Emmy Award-winning music director for The Simpsons television show.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,094 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,424 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 5,935
- Setting:
- city
Huntsville, AL
Students at University of Alabama—Huntsville can choose from more than 60 academic majors. UAHuntsville history majors with good academic merit may be eligible for a scholarship established by alumnus John Hendricks, founder and chair of Discovery Communications.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,211 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,601 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 31,764
- Setting:
- urban
Houston, TX
With its campus situated in one of the largest cities in the country, the University of Houston puts its students in an ideal location to find internships and research opportunities. Options exist on campus, too, with about 40 research centers.
- Tuition and fees:
- $24,478 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 1,929
- Setting:
- rural
Berrien Springs, MI
Andrews University is a private institution that was founded in 1874. The school has 61.7 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at Andrews University is 11:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $28,582 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- rural
Ashland, OH
Ashland University is a private school in Ohio affiliated with the Brethren Church. Ashland students have about 70 undergraduate major programs to choose from.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,749 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,018 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,188
- Setting:
- city
Bozeman, MT
Montana State University is home to many unique research facilities, such as the Plant Growth Center of nearly 30 greenhouses, and the Center for Bison and Wildlife Health. Notable alumni include Jan Stenerud, one of the few Pro Football Hall of Fame placekickers.
- 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 is a public institution that was founded in 1907. The school has 34.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at East Carolina University is 18:1.
- 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
Louisiana Tech University was established in 1894 as a public institution. Louisiana Tech University follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- 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
A public institution, South Dakota State University was founded in 1881. South Dakota State University offers a Greek system, where 2.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 3.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
