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Top US Universities by State 2013/2014
By Laura Tucker
Updated March 18, 2021 Updated March 18, 2021**For the latest list of top universities in the US by state, based on the most recent QS World University Rankings 2016/17, click here. Read on for the 2013/14 results.
The US is home to many of the world’s top universities, with no other country in the world coming close to rivaling its presence in international university rankings. With so many top US universities to choose from, the task of choosing just one or a few to apply to can certainly be pretty daunting.
To help, here’s an overview of the top US universities according to the QS World University Rankings® 2013/14, broken down by state. We’ve even included a few fun facts about each state to help you get oriented. You’re very welcome!
Top Universities in Alabama
Top Universities in Arizona
Top Universities in Arkansas
Top Universities in California
The most populous and third-largest US state, California is situated on the west coast and has leading industries in agriculture, technology and education. Universities in California include two ranked within the world’s top 10, and nine within the 50 top US universities.
Top Universities in Colorado
Top Universities in Connecticut
Top Universities in Delaware
Located on the east coast in the Delmarva Peninsula, Delaware is the second smallest state and is known as ‘The First State’ as it was the first state to give its consent to the Constitution of the United States.
Top Universities in Florida
Top Universities in Georgia
Top Universities in Hawaii
The only US state made up entirely of islands, Hawaii is known for its tropical climate, natural scenery and abundance of beaches. It is the most recent joiner of the US states and has strong North American and Asian cultural influences.
Top Universities in Illinois
Top Universities in Indiana
Top Universities in Iowa
Bordered by both the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the Midwestern region, Iowa was once a part of the French colony of New France. Boasting a diverse economy rooted in agriculture, Iowa has been listed as one of the safest states to live in.
Top Universities in Kansas
Top Universities in Kentucky
Kentucky, located in the eastern south-central region, boasts the largest system of caves in the US as well as the highest numbers of deer and turkey per capita. It is also known for its Bourbon distilleries and Bluegrass music.
Top Universities in Louisiana
Top Universities in Maryland
One of the smallest states but also one of the most densely populated, Maryland, due to the high rates of household income, is the wealthiest state in the US.
Top Universities in Massachusetts
Top Universities in Michigan
Top Universities in Minnesota
Known as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’, Minnesota is known as one of the healthiest states as well as the most literate. Many of the residents are of Scandinavian and German descent and over 60% of the population lives in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, which is home to an internationally recognized arts community.
Top Universities in Mississippi
Named after the famous river that flows along its western border, Mississippi is a southern state known for catfish farming. Its capital and largest city is Jackson.
Top Universities in Missouri
Top Universities in Nebraska
Nebraska is situated in the Great Plains region in the Midwest and is characterized by treeless prairies, fundamental to the state’s farming industry. The weather is known to fluctuate heavily. The capital city is Lincoln and the largest city is Omaha.
Top Universities in New Hampshire
Top Universities in New Jersey
Top Universities in New Mexico
One of the Mountain States, New Mexico is located in the south and is the fifth largest US state. New Mexico has strong Hispanic and Native American influences, making its culture highly unique. The state is actually named after the Mexica (Aztec) Empire, and not, as it is often believed, after the nation of Mexico.
Top Universities in New York
Top Universities in North Carolina
Top Universities in Ohio
Top Universities in Oklahoma
One of the southern states, Oklahoma derives from the Choctaw language, meaning ‘red people’. More than 25 Native American languages are spoken here, second only to California. The region consists of small mountain ranges, prairies, mesas and forests and is prone to severe weather.
Top Universities in Oregon
Top Universities in Pennsylvania
Top Universities in Rhode Island
Part of the New England region, Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US, and the second most densely populated. It is nicknamed ‘The Ocean State’, due to its bays and coves.
Top Universities in South Carolina
Top Universities in Tennessee
Top Universities in Texas
Top Universities in Utah
Top Universities in Vermont
Part of the New England group, Vermont is the second least populous of the US states. It is the leading producer of Maple Syrup in the US, its capital is Montpelier and its largest city is Burlington.
Top Universities in Virginia
Top Universities in Washington
Located in the far north-western region, Washington is on the Pacific coast and borders the Canadian province of British Columbia. The state is nicknamed ‘The Evergreen State’ as it is home to the Olympic Mountains, which are covered in temperate rainforest. Its biggest city is Seattle and its capital is Olympia.
Top Universities in Washington DC
Top Universities in Wisconsin
This article was originally published in November 2013 . It was last updated in March 2021
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Laura is a former staff writer for TopUniversities.com, providing advice and guidance for students on a range of topics helping them to choose where to study, get admitted and find funding and scholarships. A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Laura also blogs about student life.
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