Best universities in the USA 2025

The United States is one of the most popular overseas study destinations, with over a million international students pursuing their dreams in a wide variety of universities and colleges.

A number of American institutions are ranked highly by university ranking providers such as QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World University Rankings, achieving high consistency in aspects like research output and stellar contributions to respective industries.

Apart from its excellent higher education offerings, the USA offers an abundance of activities—both city-bound and nature-themed—to satisfy those who wish to explore and immerse themselves in new experiences.

For those who are seeking to pursue your foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate pathways in the USA, university rankings can provide a sense of whether the institution is right for you.

Ranking providers like the 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.

With that, we’ve compiled the top universities in the USA for 2025 below, with data from the latest QS World University Rankings 2025 and THE World University Rankings.

1. QS Top universities in the USA 2025

2. THE Top universities in the USA 2025

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

One of the top universities in the United States of the Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings in recent years must mention the name Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a school founded in 1861 with an existing student population of more than 11,000 people, of which 30% are international students from countries around the world.

Overview:

• Location: In the city of Cambridge, which stretches for about a mile along the north side of the Charles River basin

• Website: https://web.mit.edu/

• Founded: 10 April 1861

Outstanding training disciplines:

• The most prominent majors: Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering...

• Other majors: Architecture, fine arts, music, science

Awards: Looking at the list of prestigious national and international awards in the field of science and technology below by the university's students, you will understand why the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is so highly regarded.

• 85 Nobel laureates

• 58 winners of the National Science Medal

• 29 National Medal Winners for Technology and Innovation

Notable people: The university has 45 Rhodes Scholars, and 38 MacArthur Fellows

2. Harvard University

If you are a fan of Korean movies, surely when it comes to universities in the United States at least once you have heard the name Harvard University. So how is Harvard University ranked? Harvard University is known as one of the world's oldest famous universities, ranked 2nd in the list of schools in the US (QS Ranking 2025) and 4th globally. Harvard was founded in 1636 in the city of Cambridge, in the state of Massachusetts, USA.

Overview:

• Address: Located in the heart of Harvard Yard Cambridge, about 3 miles (5 km) west – northwest of Boston city and extending into the vicinity of Harvard Square.

• Website: www.harvard.edu

• Year founded: 1636

Currently, unlike other universities in the US, Harvard University has about 20,000 students, of which 25% are international students. Engineering, law, business, applied science, information technology, and pharmacy are the most well-known majors at this school.

With a methodical and long-standing training environment, Harvard graduates have achieved great achievements. It is worth mentioning that 158 Nobel laureates, 8 presidents and 62 billionaires...

Did you know that you can study in an American university environment right in Vietnam? You can find out the Top 3 American Universities in Vietnam if you just want to study in the US environment without wanting to be far from Vietnam!

See more: What major should you study in the US? 10+ HOTTEST majors

3. Stanford University

One of the famous universities in the US that many international students want to study is Stanford University. So where is Stanford University ranked in the world? This school is ranked 3rd in the list of universities in the US and 6th worldwide (According to QS Ranking 2025). Stanford was founded in 1885 in California (USA). With about 15,000 students, international students account for 22% of them.

Not only investing in teaching quality, at Stanford, the care and health care of lecturers and students is also focused on by the university. There are 32 sports clubs and 36 sports for lecturers and students to choose from. It can be said that this is an advantage that helps Stanford University be highly appreciated in this ranking.

Overview:

• Address: San Francisco Peninsula, in the northwest of the Santa Clara Valley, about 60 kilometers southeast of San Francisco and about 30 kilometers northwest of San Jose.

• Website: https://www.stanford.edu/

• Year founded: 11 November 1885

Outstanding training majors:

• Most prominent industry: Training courses for entrepreneurs

• Other Disciplines: Computer Science and Engineering, Air and Energy, Biomedical Computing

Outstanding students: One of the most outstanding and successful alumni of this prestigious school has now become a name known to the world - Steve Jobs. He is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.

4. University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

The University of California–Berkeley was founded in 1868 in Berkeley, California. It is the leading prestigious public university in the United States, ranked 3rd in the world in terms of the number of Nobel Prizes (110 awards), ranked 22nd in the Top Best National University System in the US in 2020, Top 4 top universities in the world. Along with that are 14 Fields Medals, 25 Turning Awards, 45 MacArthur Scholars, 20 Academy Awards, and 19 Pulitzer Prizes.

Overview:

• Address: Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA

• Website: https://www.ucla.edu/

• Year founded: 1919

With the number of students up to more than 30,800 from more than 90 countries around the world, this school has proven to be extremely attractive.

Outstanding training disciplines:

The University of California–Berkeley has a very diverse education system with many disciplines such as:

• Social Sciences

• Biological and biological sciences

• Multidisciplinary research

• Mathematics and Statistics

• Computer Science and Information and Support Services

• Resources and conservation

• Psychology

• Physical Sciences...

In addition to the advanced education system, the University of California–Berkeley also invests in sports for students, such as Football, Swimming, Golf, Basketball, Women's Volleyball, Tennis, etc.

5. University of Chicago

This is a university that is highly appreciated for the achievements that its alumni bring up to 89 Nobel Prize winners.

Overview:

• Address: 5801 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, United States.

• Website: https://www.uchicago.edu

• Year Founded: 1890

Outstanding training disciplines:

The University of Chicago was founded in 1890 by the American Baptist Education Association with donations from oil billionaire John D. Rockefeller. With 14,000 students, including 3,250 international students. Chicago is an institution that trains a variety of disciplines such as:

• Art

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Economic

• Film and Media Studies

• Environment

• Technology

• Classics

• Computer Science

• School Environment

• International Studies

• Political Science

• Community Policy Research

• Anthropology

• Judaism

• Mathematics

• Linguistics

• Psychology

• Religion and humanities...

In addition to the quality of education, the University of Chicago also built 11 residence halls with 38 separate buildings including many entertainment areas for students thanks to the advantage of having a spacious campus. This is also an advantage that makes the University of Chicago a place that attracts the interest of a large number of students.

Related article:

• Top 10 High Schools in the US and 5 Useful Things for International Students

• American education system: What stands out? How is it divided?

6. University of Pennsylvania

A remarkable point about this school is thanks the influence of its alumni such as US President Donald Trump, former Vice President Joe Biden, billionaire Charles Butt, comedian Tina Fey, actor Will Smith, poet Ezra Pound, singer-songwriter John Legend, etc artist Andy Warhol and scholar Noam Chomsky.

Overview:

• Address: Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.

• Website: https://www.upenn.edu/

• Year Founded: 1740

School Awards:

The University of Pennsylvania, founded in 1855 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the oldest schools in the United States. With great successes such as:

• It is one of 8 universities in the "Ivy League" group – the best universities in the United States

• Ranked 5 out of 248 national universities (2010 ranking)

• Ranked 11th on the QS World University Ranking (2025).

• Ranked 16th on the prestigious university rankings THE World University Ranking (2024).

• Ranked 1st in Nursing on the QS World University Ranking.

Outstanding training disciplines:

Thanks to these achievements, Pennsylvania has attracted up to 10,000 students, including more than 2,000 international students. If you are interested in majors such as Applied science and basic science, education and training, economics, or law... then Pennsylvania is a school worth considering.

In addition, an advantage of being a student of the university is that you can take a combined degree from two of the four colleges (School of Arts and Sciences); School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; School of Nursing; and the Wharton School (for business) offers undergraduate programs, and will receive two Bachelor's degrees.

7. Cornell University

Ranked among the top 7 Ivy League universities (the top 8 universities in the U.S. with the ideal quality of education and attracting the most elite students from all over the globe), Cornell University was founded in 1865 in Ithaca, New York.

Overview:

• Address: Ithaca, NY 14850, United States.

• Website: https://www.cornell.edu

• Founded: April 27, 1865

Outstanding training disciplines:

Unlike other universities in the US, after 157 years of operation, Cornell University has achieved remarkable achievements such as: 59 Nobel Prize winners, 55 Olympic medals, 14 billionaires... To date, Cornell has attracted 23,600 students, 23% of whom are international students. With diverse disciplines such as:

• Business Administration

• Mechanical and technology

• Education and Training

• Science and Technology

• Applied Science and Basic Science

• Social Sciences and Communication

• Computer Science

• Architecture

• Law

• Creative arts and design

• Medical and health...

In addition, Cornell University is ranked 10th globally in the Academic Ranking of World Universities in 2018, 14th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities in 2018 and 19th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings in 2019.

With outstanding achievements compared to universities in the US, you can completely put your trust in this school.

8. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Among the universities in the US, it is a private research university in Pasadena, California, USA. California Institute of Technology was founded in 1891 with a current student population of just over 2,200. It can be seen that California Institute of Technology lags far behind other universities in terms of the number of students.

Overview:

• Address: Pasadena, California, about 18 kilometers northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

• Website: www.caltech.edu

• Year founded: September 23, 1891

In terms of training quality, California Institute of Technology is not inferior to any other school. Moreover, it is also favored by everyone to give the name "cradle of technology tycoons", which has trained 39 Nobel Prize winners. It can be said that this is an ideal school for those who are passionate about technology!

9. Yale University

Among universities in the United States, Yale University has more than 12,000 students, of which 20% are international students from 117 countries around the world. Yale is known as a place to train and foster great American politicians such as: Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush (Bush "father") and George W. Bush (Bush "son").

Overview:

• Address: Located in the city of New Haven, CT. New Haven.

• Website: https://www.yale.edu

• Year founded: 1701

As a school with the 3rd oldest history in the United States, Yale University was founded in 1701 in New Haven, Connecticut (USA). Yale University consists of 3 main departments:

• Yale college (undergraduate training)

• College of Arts and Sciences

• Specialized training schools

School Awards:

In its 321 years of operation, Yale University has had many outstanding achievements. As one of 8 Ivy League schools, ranked 3rd in the ranking of the best universities, ranked 2nd in Best Value School, ranked first in curriculum and counseling programs for high school students...

10. Princeton University

Princeton University was founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, USA with the background of the College of New Jersey. In 1756 the school left for Princeton. After 150 years of operation, the university changed its name to Princeton University. In addition to being among the top universities in the US, Princeton is voted one of the most beautiful campuses in the world (according to Travel + Leisure magazine).

Overview:

• Address: Princeton, New Jersey is about an hour's train ride from both New York City and Philadelphia.

• Website: www.princeton.edu

• Founded: October 22, 1746

Outstanding training disciplines:

Princeton University is suitable for those who are oriented to study majors such as: Information Technology, Science and Technology, Social Sciences and Communication, Computer Science, Law, Creative Arts and Design. In addition, Princeton also has famous graduate programs such as: Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, Economics, History, and Psychology.

Being among the top universities in the US, Princeton's achievements are not inferior to other schools. With 42 Nobel Prize winners, 19 national science medals, 7 mathematics medals, 7 Pulitzer Prizes. It can be seen that Princeton University is a university that you should put your full faith in for your future education.

11. Columbia University

One of the best U.S. universities 2024-2025, Columbia University is ranked 2nd among Ivy League schools, 2nd among universities in the U.S. (Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education in 2018), and 13th among U.S. national universities (U.S. News & World Report 2025).

Overview:

• Address: Located on the upper West Side of Manhattan, located on 116th Street and Broadway.

• Website: columbia.edu

• Year founded: May 25, 1754

Founded in 1754, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. Located in a prime location in the United States, Columbia University attracts more than 26,000 students, 32% of whom are international students. Over the past 268 years of dedication to education, Columbia University has achieved admirable achievements: 5 Founding Fathers of the United States, 4 Presidents of the United States, 9 Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 97 Nobel Prize winners, 25 out of 30 Academy Award winners and a series of prestigious awards in many fields.

Outstanding training majors: If you are interested in majors such as statistical science, advanced architectural design, natural sciences, social sciences, business administration, journalism, law, social work, dentistry, health, choosing Columbia University is the right place to put your trust. Because all of the above majors are the strength of the school.

12. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. The university was founded in 1876 with more than 24,000 students (undergraduate and postgraduate), of which more than 20% are international students from more than 120 countries around the world.

Overview:

• Address: Baltimore, Maryland, United States.

• Website: johnshopkins.edu

• Year founded: February 22, 1876

Among the top universities in the US, this is the first research university in the US, Johns Hopkins University is always in the Top 15 universities globally. With its dedication, Johns Hopkins University has brought back admirable achievements such as: 37 Nobel Prize winners, 1 Fields Medal, ranked 5th among universities in the world according to the ranking of the SCImago Organization, ranked 1st among medical schools receiving extracurricular awards from the National Institutes of Health...

Outstanding training disciplines: Johns Hopkins University has strengths in training disciplines such as: Neuroscience, Bioengineering - Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, International Relations and Issues, Chemical Engineering, Economics, etc.

In addition, issues such as the dormitory system, library system, security, and entertainment area for students are also given special attention by the university and are always the top priority of Johns Hopkins University.

13. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

In 1919 the University of California, Los Angeles was founded as the southern campus of the University of California. By 1951 the university was officially recognized as equal to the University of California.

Overview:

• Address: Westwood, Los Angeles, California

• Website: https://www.ucla.edu/

• Year founded: May 23, 1919

School Awards:

California, Los Angeles is a highly rated university in global university rankings:

• Ranked 9th in the ranking of world-renowned higher education institutions

• Ranked 11th in the academic rankings of universities in the world (by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy)

For national rankings, the University of California, Los Angeles ranks No. 1 among public U.S. universities, and No. 15 among national universities. Ranked 16th in the best undergraduate engineering training schools.

The University of California, Los Angeles has many world-renowned faculty and professors, teaching in 230 undergraduate and graduate majors with more than 5,000 courses annually. With the above admirable achievements, the University of California, Los Angeles has attracted 43,000 students, of which about 8% are international students from countries around the world.

Outstanding training disciplines:

Here it trains popular disciplines such as:

• Mechanical and technology

• Social Sciences and Communication

• Construction and planning

• Biology

• Business Economics

• Psychology

• Economics and psychophysiology...

With levels such as Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time depending on their wishes.

Above is a list of universities in the US in the top 15 universities in the US 2025. We understand how much your choices affect your future. Therefore, IDP will always accompany you on the path of finding and determining the right and most suitable direction for you. If you need help, contact us, our professional and experienced consultants will do their best to help you get started and have the best experience.

14. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Founded in 1817 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a public university with more than 43,874 students, including more than 7,750 international students from 128 countries around the world. As one of the universities in the United States that attracts a large number of students, Michigan's admission quality is not low (the average GPA is 3.88 on the American 4.0 scale).

Overview:

• Address: 500 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States.

• Website: https://umich.edu

• Year founded: August 26, 1817

Awards: The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ranks first among universities in the U.S. for public studies, is in the top 3 universities to invest in, in the top 4 best public schools in the United States, in the top 4 universities with the best bachelor's degree in startup business, and in the top 21 best universities in the world.

Outstanding Disciplines: Michigan is a top university that offers top education in fields such as: Art and Design, Business, Education, Engineering, Information, Environment and Stability, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Music, Acting and Dance, Public Health and Social Work Industries, Science.

15. New York University

When it comes to universities in the United States, one of the famous universities in the United States cannot be ignored is New York University, which was founded in 1831, with more than 270 majors, 25 training programs in more than 25 countries around the world. New York University is ranked 15th in the US, and 38th globally. NYU is impressive not only to provide students with practical experiences and international prospects, but also to excellent academic results.

Overview:

• Address: 50 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10012, USA

• Website: https://www.nyu.edu/

• Year founded: 1831

Famous people: Besides, there are remarkable achievements such as: 38 Nobel Prize winners, 37 Oscar winners, 26 Pulitzer Prize winners

Outstanding training disciplines:

New York University is famous for its training majors such as:

• Sociology

• Business

• Science

• Medical and wellness

• Education

Contact IDP to learn more about U.S. study eligibility

If you are still wondering which school to choose when studying in the US or the conditions and costs of studying abroad, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and contact IDP for free advice on studying in the US. In addition, you can also participate in a series of study abroad days throughout the year or events organized by IDP to meet directly with university representatives and discuss study plans and life on campus.

You can also proactively estimate all tuition fees and expenses throughout your study in the U.S. with IDP's Cost of Living Calculator Tool. You can experience the IDP Live app with the Fastlane feature, which allows you to track your application progress and receive an offer letter 2-3 times faster than the usual application method.

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See more:

• Study in the USA | Eligibility, visas, cost, scholarships, and job opportunities

• 5 conditions for studying in the US for high school (high school)

• People and culture when studying in the U.S.

• Scholarships to study in the USA