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Ranked: The top 100 universities in the USA

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By Craig OCallaghan Updated Jun 17, 2026
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Top universities to study in the United States
Get more information about where to study in the US

The university or college you choose to go to can have a major impact on the rest of your life, so it's probably a good idea to do some research first. To help with the process, we've compiled a ranking of the best 100 US universities and colleges, according to the recently released QS World University Rankings.

Rank
University
Location
1

QS World University Rank

WUR
Cambridge, United States
=2

QS World University Rank

WUR
Stanford, United States
5

QS World University Rank

WUR
Cambridge, United States
7

QS World University Rank

WUR
Pasadena, United States
15

QS World University Rank

WUR
Philadelphia, United States
=16

QS World University Rank

WUR
Ithaca, United States
=16

QS World University Rank

WUR
New Haven, United States
=20

QS World University Rank

WUR
Baltimore, United States
=20

QS World University Rank

WUR
Berkeley, United States
24

QS World University Rank

WUR
Chicago, United States
27

QS World University Rank

WUR
Princeton, United States
=43

QS World University Rank

WUR
New York City, United States
=45

QS World University Rank

WUR
Evanston, United States
49

QS World University Rank

WUR
Los Angeles, United States
51

QS World University Rank

WUR
Ann Arbor, United States
55

QS World University Rank

WUR
Pittsburgh, United States
58

QS World University Rank

WUR
New York City, United States
66

QS World University Rank

WUR
Providence, United States
70

QS World University Rank

WUR
Durham, United States
72

QS World University Rank

WUR
Austin, United States
74

QS World University Rank

WUR
Champaign, United States
81

QS World University Rank

WUR
San Diego, United States
=92

QS World University Rank

WUR
University Park, United States
=92

QS World University Rank

WUR
Seattle, United States
94

QS World University Rank

WUR
Boston, United States
=100

QS World University Rank

WUR
Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette
West Lafayette, United States
122

QS World University Rank

WUR
Houston, United States
=131

QS World University Rank

WUR
Madison, United States
137

QS World University Rank

WUR
Davis, United States
=142

QS World University Rank

WUR
Atlanta, United States
153

QS World University Rank

WUR
Los Angeles, United States
=158

QS World University Rank

WUR
Chapel Hill, United States
=162

QS World University Rank

WUR
St. Louis, United States
169

QS World University Rank

WUR
Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station
College Station, United States
172

QS World University Rank

WUR
Phoenix, United States
173

QS World University Rank

WUR
Santa Barbara, United States
182

QS World University Rank

WUR
East Lansing, United States
183

QS World University Rank

WUR
Atlanta, United States
=201

QS World University Rank

WUR
Columbus, United States
=228

QS World University Rank

WUR
Gainesville, United States
251

QS World University Rank

WUR
Rochester, United States
=252

QS World University Rank

WUR
Irvine, United States
=252

QS World University Rank

WUR
College Park, United States
=255

QS World University Rank

WUR
Minneapolis, United States
260

QS World University Rank

WUR
Amherst, United States
265

QS World University Rank

WUR
Nashville, United States
268

QS World University Rank

WUR
Charlottesville, United States
=270

QS World University Rank

WUR
Hanover, United States
=279

QS World University Rank

WUR
Pittsburgh, United States
=289

QS World University Rank

WUR
Georgetown UniversityWashington D.C.
Washington D.C., United States
=300

QS World University Rank

WUR
Notre Dame, United States
313

QS World University Rank

WUR
Tucson, United States
=314

QS World University Rank

WUR
New Brunswick, United States
=320

QS World University Rank

WUR
Raleigh, United States
=320

QS World University Rank

WUR
Boulder, United States
=326

QS World University Rank

WUR
Cleveland, United States
=338

QS World University Rank

WUR
Medford, United States
=338

QS World University Rank

WUR
Miami, United States
=360

QS World University Rank

WUR
Bloomington, United States
366

QS World University Rank

WUR
Blacksburg, United States
=370

QS World University Rank

WUR
Chicago, United States
=381

QS World University Rank

WUR
Washington D.C., United States
=385

QS World University Rank

WUR
Boston, United States
398

QS World University Rank

WUR
Riverside, United States
=416

QS World University Rank

WUR
Buffalo, United States
=458

QS World University Rank

WUR
Santa Cruz, United States
=458

QS World University Rank

WUR
Storrs, United States
=468

QS World University Rank

WUR
Stony Brook, United States
=510

QS World University Rank

WUR
Pullman, United States
=515

QS World University Rank

WUR
Lawrence, United States
=533

QS World University Rank

WUR
University of UtahSalt Lake City
Salt Lake City, United States
536

QS World University Rank

WUR
Athens, United States
=540

QS World University Rank

WUR
Fort Collins, United States
=540

QS World University Rank

WUR
Ames, United States
=546

QS World University Rank

WUR
Tallahassee, United States
=549

QS World University Rank

WUR
Boston CollegeChestnut Hill
Chestnut Hill, United States
=551

QS World University Rank

WUR
Houston, United States
=575

QS World University Rank

WUR
Golden, United States
=575

QS World University Rank

WUR
Newark, United States
=581

QS World University Rank

WUR
Troy, United States
=597

QS World University Rank

WUR
New Orleans, United States
=597

QS World University Rank

WUR
Iowa City, United States
=620

QS World University Rank

WUR
Chicago, United States
=643

QS World University Rank

WUR
Honolulu, United States
=646

QS World University Rank

WUR
American UniversityWashington D.C.
Washington D.C., United States
=659

QS World University Rank

WUR
Miami, United States
=670

QS World University Rank

WUR
Bethlehem, United States
=675

QS World University Rank

WUR
Hoboken, United States
=677

QS World University Rank

WUR
New York City, United States
=686

QS World University Rank

WUR
Richardson, United States
701-710

QS World University Rank

WUR
Knoxville, United States
711-720

QS World University Rank

WUR
Corvallis, United States
711-720

QS World University Rank

WUR
Eugene, United States
711-720

QS World University Rank

WUR
Columbia, United States
721-730

QS World University Rank

WUR
Columbia, United States
731-740

QS World University Rank

WUR
Syracuse, United States
731-740

QS World University Rank

WUR
Orlando, United States
741-750

QS World University Rank

WUR
Newark, United States
741-750

QS World University Rank

WUR
Cincinnati, United States
751-760

QS World University Rank

WUR
Waltham, United States

Why study in the US?

Studying at one of these top universities in the US will ensure you graduate with a highly respected degree, which can open the door to global job opportunities. Enjoy a range of benefits, such as access to cutting-edge research, diverse academic programmes, and experienced faculty. 

The cultural diversity in the US also allows students to interact with peers from around the globe, fostering cross-cultural understanding and global networking opportunities. The emphasis on innovation and critical thinking encourages students to challenge themselves, preparing them for competitive global careers.

Additionally, US universities often provide extensive support services, including career counselling, internships, and work-study programmes, helping students gain practical experience and enhance their employability. The vibrant campus life, with numerous extracurricular activities, also contributes to a well-rounded education.

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Written by
Craig OCallaghan

As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.

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