The Top 5 Universities in the USA

With over 950,000 international students and 4,300 universities and higher education institutions, the USA is one of the most popular places to study abroad. The sheer size of the country means that there are endless options for postgraduate study. So, we’ve decided to make your search easier by looking at the country’s top ranked universities.

Using rankings provided by Times Higher Education (THE), we’ve assessed the best performing universities in the USA by research, citations (number of times research is cited by other institutions), international outlook and industry income. While this list will give you a good idea of high performing institutions, many USA universities have their own separate graduate schools which usually offer specialist education tailored by subject. As so, this list has focused on the broad universities rather than the individual schools to give you a quick overview.

#1 Harvard University

Currently ranked second in the world, Harvard University is the USA’s top performer. Achieving a score of 99 (out of 100) in research and 99.3 in citations, Harvard would be an excellent place for postgraduates looking to learn about the latest developments in research.

As the oldest university in the USA, Harvard has produced over 45 Nobel Prize laureates and 48 Pulitzer Prize winners. According to their own data, graduates average a salary of $92,033 ten years after graduation. If you’re looking to study somewhere prestigious and successful, Harvard University and the associated graduate schools are an excellent choice.

#2 Stanford University

Currently tied third in the world with Cambridge University is Stanford University. Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford is known for its entrepreneurial spirit proven by its impressive alumni, including the founders of Nike, Netflix, Instagram and Paypal, to name a few. The institution has also produced 21 Nobel Prize laureates and 18 Turing Award recipients.

Overall, the university scored a respectable 96.7 in research and 99.8 in citations. It also demonstrated a strong international outlook, receiving a 79.8. These scores indicate that postgraduates interested in Stanford’s graduate courses will be joining a thriving and diverse academic community.

#3 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Third in the USA and fifth in the world is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Although equally as successful in research as the previous universities, achieving a 93.4, MIT’s strength lies in its industry links, scoring 90.9 for industry income.

MIT has five key schools, Architecture and Planning, Engineering, Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Management and Science. Throughout its history, the institute has made the first chemical synthesis of penicillin, developed the radar, discovered quarks and invented magnetic core memory which aided the development of digital computers!

#4 California Institute of Technology

Next up is the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH), currently ranked sixth in the world. Focusing on the Sciences, Engineering and Education, CALTECH has produced 39 Nobel Prize winners.

The institute received a high score of 97 in research and 97.3 in citations. It also scored 83.6 on international outlook and 89.8 on industry income. Whether you’re looking for industry training and opportunities or the chance to learn about and contribute to the latest research, CALTECH is a great allrounder.

#5 Princeton University

Last, but most certainly not least, is Princeton University. Princeton is one of the oldest universities in the USA and is currently ranked seventh in the world by THE. It has educated two US presidents as well as Michelle Obama. With 10 libraries, Princeton University has around 14 million holdings to be explored by its students.

Unsurprisingly, Princeton achieved high scores, receiving 95.9 in research, 99.1 in citations and 80.3 in international outlook. These numbers reflect Princeton as a well established and respected institution which could be perfect for your postgraduate degree.

The world rankings are a good method to get an overview of the quality of different institutions. However, there is a lot more factors that go into deciding your place of study. Make sure to do your research on the courses and graduate schools available. Also, remember to investigate the lifestyle each university could offer you.

Find a PhD in the USA

Ready to start looking for your idea project? Browse PhDs in the USA in our database.

You may also like...

Working in the USA: How to Find Work During and After Your Studies

USA Careers

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work as a student or recent graduate in the USA.

Health Insurance in the USA – A Guide for International Students

USA Advice

Why you'll need health insurance as an international student in the USA and how to find the right plan for you.

Applying for a PhD in the USA

USA PhD Study Applications Advice

Our guide tells you everything about the application process for studying a PhD in the USA.

PhD Funding in the USA – A Guide for 2024

USA North America International Study Funding

Our guide to PhD funding in the USA has information on fully-funded PhD scholarships, as well as other funding options for international and domestic students.