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Best universities in the USA 2025
The United States is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations, with over a million international students pursuing their dreams at its many world-class universities and colleges. These American institutions are consistently ranked among the top 10 globally and recognised for their high-quality research and significant contributions to various industries.
This focus on academic excellence paves the way for excellent career opportunities. The US boasts a thriving job market with high graduate employability rates. Despite a slight decrease in job openings to 7.6 million in December 2024, the US labour market remains dynamic and full of opportunities, with notable growth in sectors like arts, entertainment, and recreation, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This means that after graduation, you'll have a wide range of exciting career paths to explore.
Beyond academics, the US offers a wealth of experiences to enrich your time abroad. From vibrant cities and historical landmarks to diverse communities and stunning natural landscapes, there's something for everyone to embrace the multiculturalism of American society and broaden their horizons in and outside the classroom.
And while you're studying in the USA, don't miss the chance to travel and explore! With efficient transportation networks connecting different regions, you can easily embark on enriching adventures and experience the country's varied landscapes and cultures.
Starting an academic journey in America
Whether you're drawn to the iconic skyline of New York City, considering the fun opportunities to study in New York — perhaps in fashion design or engineering — or dreaming of the sunny beaches of California and the chance to study in Los Angeles, starting your academic journey at one of the best universities in the USA offers a unique blend of academic excellence and a welcoming, diverse atmosphere.
Globally recognised ranking system
For those looking to pursue a foundation, undergraduate, or postgraduate pathway in the USA, university rankings can give you an idea of whether the institution is right for you.
Ranking providers such as the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World (THE) University Rankings are globally recognised, often used by students as part of their research before applying to study abroad.
Each ranking system uses its own methodology to assess universities worldwide. These typically consider factors such as academic reputation, research output, faculty-student ratio, and internationalisation to provide a comprehensive perspective on the quality of education and research at each institution.
With that in mind, we've rounded up the top universities in the USA for 2025 below, from Ivy League colleges in Massachusetts to leading public institutions in Washington state and California, with data from the QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings.
QS top universities in the USA 2025
The QS World University Rankings assess universities based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, employer reputation, research impact, and the number of students per faculty member. They provide a global perspective on university performance and are considered one of the best resources for students researching their study options in the USA.
Rank | University | Global rank |
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 1 |
2 | Harvard University | 4 |
3 | Stanford University | 6 |
4 | California Institute of Technology | 10 |
5 | University of Pennsylvania | 11 |
6 | University of California, Berkeley | 12 |
7 | Cornell University | 16 |
8 | University of Chicago | 21 |
9 | Princeton University | 22 |
10 | Yale University | 23 |
11 | Johns Hopkins University | 32 |
12 | Columbia University | 34 |
13 | University of California, Los Angeles | 42 |
14 | New York University | 43 |
15 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 44 |
16 | Northwestern University | 50 |
17 | Carnegie Mellon University | 58 |
18 | Duke University | 61 |
19 | University of Texas at Austin | 66 |
20 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | 69 |
THE top universities in the USA in 2025
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings use a different methodology, focusing on teaching, research, international outlook, and industry income. They also consider factors like the impact of research publications and the ratio of faculty to students. These rankings offer a comprehensive view of university excellence and are widely used to identify the top universities in the USA and around the world.
Rank | University | Global rank |
1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 2 |
2 | Harvard University | 3 |
3 | Princeton University | 4 |
4 | Stanford University | 6 |
5 | California Institute of Technology | 7 |
6 | University of California, Berkeley | 8 |
7 | Yale University | 10 |
=8 | The University of Chicago | =14 |
=8 | University of Pennsylvania | =14 |
10 | Johns Hopkins University | 16 |
=11 | Columbia University | =18 |
=11 | University of California, Los Angeles | =18 |
13 | Cornell University | 20 |
14 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 22 |
15 | Carnegie Mellon University | 24 |
16 | University of Washington | 25 |
17 | Duke University | 27 |
18 | Northwestern University | 31 |
19 | New York University | 33 |
20 | University of California, San Diego | 34 |
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