The 30 top colleges in the US, and how much you might be earning 6 years after graduating
- School-ranking website Niche ranks the best colleges in America in 2020 based on factors ranging from acceptance rates to median income six years after graduation.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is at the top of the list. Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and Princeton occupy other top spots.
- Colleges across the US went remote during the spring semester to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
- In the fall, several schools are considering continuing remote coursework, and some students are unsure if it's worth it to start or continue their college education without the full college experience.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
30. Emory University — Atlanta, Georgia
Acceptance rate: 19%
Undergraduate students: 7,086
Net cost of tuition: $26,804
Most popular majors: Business, Nursing, Biology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $66,000
According to a student: "Although online learning is definitely not ideal, my professors made sure that we were all accommodated and definitely modified their classes to make them easier for remote learning. Many of my professors scheduled calls with their students just to check up and say "hi," which really went to show how much they care about the well-being of their students. I really appreciated my professors' effort to help us out during the COVID-19 pandemic."
29. University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia
Acceptance rate: 26%
Undergraduate students: 16,777
Net cost of tuition: $17,845
Most popular majors: Liberal Arts and Humanities, Economics, Business
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $61,200
According to a student: "During COVID-19, I took all of my classes online. They went better than expected, and since I am a government major, not much was changed in terms of assignments. However, I feel like being so removed from classmates and the teacher makes it more challenging to motivate yourself and stay focused."
28. Carnegie Mellon University — Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate: 17%
Undergraduate students: 6,589
Net cost of tuition: $30,847
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Statistics
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $83,600
According to a student: "While I did not take classes at CMU online, there were some lectures that took place online. For instance, both my biology and elementary computer science course had some lessons on the Online Learning Initiative (OLI). These were quite useful and interactive. And made excellent study material as well for the finals."
27. Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, Maryland
Acceptance rate: 11%
Undergraduate students: 6,064
Net cost of tuition: $27,868
Most popular majors: Public Health, Neuroscience and Neurobiology, Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $73,200
According to a student: "My online learning experience has been great with little or no disruption from my in-person coursework. The professors, TA's and Hopkins administration have been wonderful, understanding, compassionate, and patient due to COVID-19. Being at Hopkins online and in-person have both been a great experience!"
26. University of California in Los Angeles — Los Angeles, California
Acceptance rate: 14%
Undergraduate students: 31,577
Net cost of tuition: $15,002
Most popular majors: Economics, Political Science and Government, Sociology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $60,700
According to a student: "Because of COVID-19, all my classes were online this quarter. Though it was challenging, professors and TAs were extremely understanding and made it clear that they still wanted us to excel."
25. Tufts University — Medford, Massachusetts
Acceptance rate: 15%
Undergraduate students: 5,643
Net cost of tuition: $26,825
Most popular majors: Economics, Biology, Computer Science
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $75,800
According to a student: "This past semester was online and my professors were flexible in making things work. The experience was challenging because academics at Tufts are notoriously rigorous. However, finding a balance between academic requirements and online learning is something that we'll only be able to master with time."
24. Georgetown University — Washington, DC
Acceptance rate: 15%
Undergraduate students: 7,459
Net cost of tuition: $28,509
Most popular majors: Political Science and Government, International Relations, Finance
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $93,500
According to a student: "Georgetown was such a great experience for me personally — I found the professors to truly care about their students and most of the student body was driven, intelligent, and genuine."
23. University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan
Acceptance rate: 23%
Undergraduate students: 30,318
Net cost of tuition: $16,856
Most popular majors: Information Science, Business, Economics
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $63,400
According to a student: "The University of Michigan has really turned into my home. The atmosphere of the school as well as the challenging but also supportive academic environment were the two things that I was really looking for in a school and Michigan does it so well. You really need to take initiative to succeed here, but if you do it's great."
22. Amherst College — Amherst, Massachusetts
Acceptance rate: 13%
Undergraduate students: 1,855
Net cost of tuition: $19,275
Most popular majors: Mathematics, Economics, English
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $65,000
According to a student: "I've grown intellectually more than I could have imagined during my time at Amherst. The student body is amazing from top to bottom, which allows classes to move at a very fast pace. Much material is covered, very quickly, each semester. Plenty to do on campus, in town and in the surrounding area, the Pioneer Valley is beautiful."
21. Bowdoin College — Brunswick, Maine
Acceptance rate: 10%
Undergraduate students: 1,828
Net cost of tuition: $24,831
Most popular majors: Political Science and Government, Economics, Mathematics
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $65,500
According to a student: "So glad I chose to come to Bowdoin! A very close community where people treat each other with kindness and are excited to learn from their peers. Quality of life is great, with great dorms, food, and the surrounding area. Classes are challenging but there is very little competitiveness and lots of support for students academically. For a small liberal arts school, there is a very healthy and fun social life."
20. Cornell University — Ithaca, New York
Acceptance rate: 11%
Undergraduate students: 15,182
Net cost of tuition: $28,890
Most popular majors: Biology, Computer Science, Business
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $77,200
According to a student: "Cornell has such a great and welcoming community. The campus is absolutely beautiful, from the antique buildings to the nature surrounding them."
19. University of Southern California — Los Angeles, California
Acceptance rate: 13%
Undergraduate students: 19,907
Net cost of tuition: $36,161
Most popular majors: Business, Communications, Biology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $74,000
According to a student: "There are many resources available before and after graduation. The professors all care about the students and the students are all helpful to each other as well. The connections are unmatched by any other school. Even after you graduate, the networking is unparalleled."
18. University of Chicago — Chicago, Illinois
Acceptance rate: 7%
Undergraduate students: 6,632
Net cost of tuition: $33,003
Most popular majors: Economics, Mathematics, Biology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $68,100
According to a student: "A great experience! Definitely rigorous and not for the faint of heart. Academically excellent, fantastic research opportunities, diverse, professors are amazing. I participate in varsity sports and it's a great community."
17. University of Notre Dame — Notre Dame, Indiana
Acceptance rate: 18%
Undergraduate students: 8,617
Net cost of tuition: $30,229
Most popular majors: Finance, Economics, Mechanical Engineering
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $78,400
According to a student: "Notre Dame has the academic rigor and challenging discourse of a top US university. What surprised me instead is the kindness and understanding among the students and faculty I encountered during my first year; I wouldn't have expected such a competitive environment to foster such charity in its community."
16. California Institute of Technology — Pasadena, California
Acceptance rate: 7%
Undergraduate students: 948
Net cost of tuition: $26,361
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Physics, Electrical Engineering
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $85,900
According to a student: "The best school in the country, period. Great research opportunities, faculty and resources make up Caltech. But it is the incredible people around that make it such a worthwhile experience."
15. Dartmouth College — Hanover, New Hampshire
Acceptance rate: 9%
Undergraduate students: 4,418
Net cost of tuition: $23,394
Most popular majors: Economics, Political Science and Government, Computer Science
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $75,500
According to a student: "I think in the end, I look back and love the time I've spent at this school, because I've grown so much as a person compared to when I first got here: emotionally, socially, and academically. The school has given me many gifts of friendship and maturity, along with many challenges in the classroom and lab that have made me think about myself and my future goals."
14. Washington University in St. Louis — Saint Louis, Missouri
Acceptance rate: 15%
Undergraduate students: 7,751
Net cost of tuition: $27,931
Most popular majors: Finance, Computer Science, Research and Experimental Psychology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $70,100
According to a student: "WashU is an amazing school full of kind people and staff that truly want you to succeed. There are so many resources to help students in any area, and campus has a friendly atmosphere rather than a competitive one. Campus is so beautiful and dorms are some of the best in the country."
13. Pomona College — Claremont, California
Acceptance rate: 8%
Undergraduate students: 1,573
Net cost of tuition: $16,988
Most popular majors: Economics, Mathematics, Computer Science
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $58,100
According to a student: "I had a great time at Pomona. The class sizes were small so I was able to build close relationships with my professors. Professors were generally available and happy to talk to students during office hours about the lectures as well as life in general. I also loved being surrounded by brilliant peers who inspired and pushed me during my time at Pomona."
12. Vanderbilt University — Nashville, Tennessee
Acceptance rate: 10%
Undergraduate students: 6,861
Net cost of tuition: $23,596
Most popular majors: Economics, Liberal Arts and Humanities, Social Science Research Methods
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $69,000
According to a student: "Vanderbilt is full of bright kids, and everyone is insanely welcoming. This is truly a community-based university, with everyone trying to help out the underclassmen, and the professors always being receptive."
11. Northwestern University — Evanston, Illinois
Acceptance rate: 8%
Undergraduate students: 8,642
Net cost of tuition: $27,540
Most popular majors: Economics, Psychology, Journalism
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $69,000
According to a student: "Northwestern University taught me an incredible amount about myself as a person through its academic rigor. I was honored to work alongside and with very talented and gifted peers and professors who challenged me and made me a better student and young adult."
10. Rice University — Houston, Texas
Acceptance rate: 11%
Undergraduate students: 3,992
Net cost of tuition: $23,202
Most popular majors: Economics, Information Science, Chemical Engineering
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $65,400
According to a student: "Rice gives you so many opportunities to challenge the way you think, approach, and solve different issues in society. Whether you are a STEM major or a humanities major, there are lots of interdisciplinary classes/organizations so that you are able to view things from different perspectives."
9. University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Acceptance rate: 8%
Undergraduate students: 11,851
Net cost of tuition: $26,266
Most popular majors: Finance, Economics, Nursing
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $85,900
According to a student: "I love the history of the university and the diversity of the education. One of my favorite things is being able to easily take classes from all four undergraduate schools and be able to interact with students from all different interests and backgrounds."
8. Columbia University — New York, NY
Acceptance rate: 6%
Undergraduate students: 8,216
Net cost of tuition: $21,220
Most popular majors: Economics, Computer Science, Political Science and Government
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $83,300
According to a student: "For the past two semesters, my experience has been nothing but eye-opening. I came in as a transfer student from Bronx Community College and the transition into a 4-year top-tier college was incredible. Columbia is a type of environment with an air of excellence which elevated my mindset into knowing that I am cut out to succeed."
7. Brown University — Providence, Rhode Island
Acceptance rate: 8%
Undergraduate students: 7,043
Net cost of tuition: $27,238
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Economics, Biology
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $67,500
According to a student: "Brown is more than just an elite institution, it's a community of people who are all so amazingly brilliant in their own unique ways and I often catch myself surprised by how impressive everyone is."
6. Duke University — Durham, North Carolina
Acceptance rate: 9%
Undergraduate students: 6,682
Net cost of tuition: $19,785
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy Analysis
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $84,400
According to a student: "Duke is an amazing place to live, eat, learn, and cultivate who you want to be when you grow up (as cliché as that sounds). I was a student-athlete, and my experience with the student body and professors could not have been better. I love having all the support in the world from people in the Duke community."
5. Princeton University — Princeton, New Jersey
Acceptance rate: 5%
Undergraduate students: 5,428
Net cost of tuition: $16,192
Most popular majors: Computer Hardware Engineering, Economics, Public Policy Analysis
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $74,700
According to a student: "Having just completed my first year as an undergrad, I can truly say that attending this university is the best choice I've ever made. Not only are the professors incredible and the resources abundant, but I've made an incredible network of close friends. And, as a low-income student, I have never wanted for anything due to Princeton's generous financial aid."
4. Harvard University — Cambridge, Massachusetts
Acceptance rate: 5%
Undergraduate students: 9,950
Net cost of tuition: $17,590
Most popular majors: Economics, Computer Science, Political Science, and Government
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $89,700
According to a student: "Harvard was an incredible experience unlike any other. I instantly felt connected as a global citizen like never before, meeting some of the most intelligent and unique people I am likely to come across in my life. The institution prides itself on maintaining high standards, and one leaves its gates understanding not 'what' to think but 'how' to think — the most valuable skill set of all."
3. Yale University — New Haven, CT
Acceptance rate: 6%
Undergraduate students: 5,964
Net cost of tuition: $18,748
Most popular majors: Economics, History, Political Science, and Government
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $83,200
According to a student: "An amazing school with so many different positive qualities about it! There's also a lot of balance — Greek life doesn't dominate but it's still there and pretty open to most people. Academics are challenging/rigorous but so captivating that you're motivated to work hard. There is a variety of social, political, economic, religious views represented on campus and yet almost everyone is respectful and open about getting to know about why you think the way you do. To cut a long story short — best college in the world, and I couldn't be happier."
2. Stanford University — Stanford, California
Acceptance rate: 4%
Undergraduate students: 7,087
Net cost of tuition: $17,271
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Biology, Engineering
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $94,000
According to a student: "Stanford is the greatest place on earth. I feel so at home here and love everything about the campus and life here. The weather is amazing (no snow! or freezing temperatures), people are happier than many other schools, and you have the freedom and flexibility to study anything and switch your major around."
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate: 7%
Undergraduate students: 4,602
Net cost of tuition: $18,971
Most popular majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics
Median annual earnings six years after graduation: $104,700
According to a student: "MIT is an outstanding university with numerous and diverse opportunities in research and academics. Classes at MIT are indeed difficult, with homework and associated studying consuming a large chunk of time. The beauty of this is that it pushes students to go above and beyond their previous understanding of what they believed themselves to be capable of."