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:
- $11,407 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,451 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,866
- Setting:
- urban
Boston, MA
University of Massachusetts--Boston is a public institution that was founded in 1964. The school has 33.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Massachusetts--Boston is 16:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $7,276 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $15,340 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,966
- Setting:
- urban
Memphis, TN
University of Memphis was established in 1912 as a public institution. University of Memphis follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,314 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,883 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 13,159
- Setting:
- urban
St. Louis, MO
University of Missouri—St. Louis (UMSL) offers more than 120 organizations, about six fraternities and sororities, and student government. UMSL students can also explore campus media opportunities by becoming a DJ or writing for the student newspaper.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,510 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,520 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 11,964
- Setting:
- suburban
Omaha, NE
University of Nebraska--Omaha has a total undergraduate enrollment of 11,964, with a gender distribution of 48.2 percent male students and 51.8 percent female students. At this school, 13.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 87.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,585 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $20,495 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 22,138
- Setting:
- urban
Las Vegas, NV
At the University of Nevada—Las Vegas, students can get involved in research projects at the Center for Gaming Research, the Center for Popular Music, and more. The UNLV Rebels are Division I competitors.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $5,257 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,781 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 8,263
- Setting:
- urban
New Orleans, LA
Freshmen at the University of New Orleans (UNO) can transition smoothly from high school by taking the University Success 1001 course, which introduces them to college life. Off campus, UNO students can take in the excitement of New Orleans, including the famous Mardi Gras festival.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,514 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $17,788 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,231
- Setting:
- suburban
Greeley, CO
Located about 50 miles northeast of Denver, the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) campus is located in the city of Greeley. UNC is home to the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center, which supports Latino and Hispanic students.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,078 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,608 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 28,325
- Setting:
- city
Denton, TX
Among the academic offerings at the University of North Texas is the acclaimed College of Music. The College’s jazz studies major was the first of its kind in the country, and the school’s music group, the One O’Clock Lab Band, has been nominated for a Grammy.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,204 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $12,108 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 11,578
- Setting:
- suburban
Mobile, AL
The University of South Alabama is located in the city of Mobile, in the upper Gulf Coast. Students at University of South Alabama can get involved in campus activities such as comedy shows, concerts, poetry slams, and movie screenings.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,336 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $14,448 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 13,618
- Setting:
- city
Hattiesburg, MS
The University of Southern Mississippi has two campuses: a main location in Hattiesburg and a complex in Long Beach. About 10 percent of students join Greek life.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,878 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,268 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 25,419
- Setting:
- urban
Arlington, TX
University of Texas--Arlington is a public institution that was founded in 1895. The school has 23.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at University of Texas--Arlington is 23:1.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,869 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,259 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 18,975
- Setting:
- urban
El Paso, TX
University of Texas--El Paso was established in 1913 as a public institution. University of Texas--El Paso follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered less selective.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,419 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,949 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 26,268
- Setting:
- suburban
San Antonio, TX
A public institution, University of Texas--San Antonio was founded in 1969. University of Texas--San Antonio offers a Greek system, where 3.0 percent of the student body is involved in a sorority and 3.0 percent is involved in a fraternity.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,054 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,174 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 17,844
- Setting:
- urban
Toledo, OH
University of Toledo has a total undergraduate enrollment of 17,844, with a gender distribution of 50.2 percent male students and 49.8 percent female students. At this school, 21.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 79.0 percent of students live off campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,060 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $18,960 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 9,826
- Setting:
- city
Pensacola, FL
The University of West Florida is a state school about 10 miles from downtown Pensacola. The university also has several coastal locations, including the Fort Walton Beach Campus.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $9,380 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $19,088 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 24,639
- Setting:
- urban
Milwaukee, WI
At the University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee (UWM), students can get involved by joining more than 300 clubs on campus, or by visiting the museums, theaters, and zoo in the city. Notable UWM alumni include Golda Meir, who founded the state of Israel, and Jim Rygiel, who won three Oscars for digital effects of the Lord of the Rings movies.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $10,560 (2011-12)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $22,712 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 20,589
- Setting:
- urban
Detroit, MI
Located in Midtown Detroit, Wayne State University offers more than 400 academic programs, 200 student organizations, Division II sports, and many city attractions. Notable Wayne State graduates include the first African-American woman elected to the Senate.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $6,408 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $14,442 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 12,243
- Setting:
- urban
Wichita, KS
Students at Wichita State University (WSU), which is located in Kansas, are called Shockers because students used to earn money by harvesting or “shocking” wheat. Today, WSU students spend time playing Division I sports and participating in more than 200 campus organizations.
- In-state tuition and fees:
- $8,354 (2012-13)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees:
- $16,182 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 14,408
- Setting:
- suburban
Dayton, OH
Wright State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,408, with a gender distribution of 46.0 percent male students and 54.0 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.
- Tuition and fees:
- $16,810 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 411
- Setting:
- suburban
San Diego, CA
Founded in 1969, Alliant International University is a private institution. Alliant International University follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $20,400 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Chicago, IL
Argosy University--Chicago is a proprietary institution.
- Tuition and fees:
- $23,010 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 79
- Setting:
- urban
San Francisco, CA
California Institute of Integral Studies was established as a private institution. California Institute of Integral Studies follows a semester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $11,700 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 7,487
- Setting:
- urban
Minneapolis, MN
A proprietary institution, Capella University was founded in 1993.
- Tuition and fees:
- $10,665 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- city
Colorado Springs, CO
Founded in 1965, Colorado Technical University is a proprietary institution. Colorado Technical University follows a quarter-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $43,747 (2012-13)
- Enrollment:
- 10,406
- Setting:
- urban
Washington, DC
George Washington University is a private institution that was founded in 1821. The school has 53.9 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students, and the student-faculty ratio at George Washington University is 14:1.
- Tuition and fees:
- $11,010 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- suburban
Prescott Valley, AZ
Northcentral University was established in 1996 as a proprietary institution. Northcentral University follows a continuous-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $6,120 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Cypress, CA
Trident University International was founded as a proprietary institution.
- Tuition and fees:
- $14,190 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 1,162
- Setting:
- urban
Cincinnati, OH
Union Institute and University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,162, with a gender distribution of 45.4 percent male students and 54.6 percent female students. 100.0 percent of students live off campus.
- Tuition and fees:
- $18,525 (2011-12)
- Setting:
- urban
Phoenix, AZ
University of Phoenix is a proprietary institution. University of Phoenix admissions are considered selective.
- Tuition and fees:
- $12,810 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 8,741
- Setting:
- urban
- Tuition and fees:
- $9,470 (2011-12)
- Enrollment:
- 7,381
- Setting:
- suburban
New Castle, DE
Wilmington University was established in 1967 as a private institution. Wilmington University follows a trimester-based academic calendar and its admissions are considered selective.
