Atlantic Coast Conference

One of the top Catholic colleges in the country, Boston College features beautiful Gothic architecture on a campus in the Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill. The undergraduate business program is particularly strong.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• School type: private, Jesuit
• Enrollment: 14,754 (9,826 undergraduates)
• Team: Eagles
• Explore the campus: Boston College photo tour
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Boston College profile

A highly-ranked public university in South Carolina, Clemson sits among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the shores of Lake Hartwell. Business and engineering are particularly popular, and Clemson distinguishes itself with a strong commitment to service learning.

• Location: Clemson, South Carolina
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 19,914 (15,836 undergraduates)
• Team: Tigers
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Clemson University profile

Of all the Atlantic Coast Conference universities, Duke is the hardest to get into. Both the acceptance rate and caliber of student makes Duke comparable to several of the Northeastern Ivy League schools. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke's campus has some stunning Gothic architecture.

• Location: Durham, North Carolina
• School type: private
• Enrollment: 15,427 (6,680 undergraduates)
• Team: Blue Devils
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Duke University profile

One of the flagship campuses of the Florida state university system, FSU sits just west of Tallahassee and an easy drive to the Gulf of Mexico. Academic strengths at Florida State include music, dance and engineering.

• Location: Tallahassee, Florida
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 41,087 (32,201 undergraduates)
• Team: Seminoles
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Florida State University profile

Located in Atlanta, Georgia Tech is an academic powerhouse that made it onto my list of top public universities and top engineering schools. And yes, their athletic programs are also excellent.

• Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 20,941 (13,948 undergraduates)
• Team: Yellow Jackets
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Georgia Tech profile

Another highly-ranked public university, the University of Maryland at College Park is the flagship campus of Maryland's state university system. College Park is an easy Metro ride into Washington, D.C., and the university has benefited by numerous research partnerships with the federal government.

• Location: College Park, Maryland
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 37,631 (26,826 undergraduates)
• Team: Terrapins
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Maryland profile

Business and nursing are extremely popular at the University of Miami, and the school also boasts of a top-ranked marine biology program. Located in the well-to-do suburb of Coral Springs, not Miami, the university's campus is defined by modern white buildings, fountains, and palm trees.

• Location: Coral Gables, Florida
• School type: private
• Enrollment: 16,068 (10,509 undergraduates)
• Team: Hurricanes
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of Miami profile

Academically, UNC Chapel Hill is probably the strongest of the public universities on this list, and their Kenan-Flagler Business School made my list of top undergraduate business schools. Opened in 1795, Chapel Hill has a beautiful and historic campus. For North Carolina residents, the university is an exceptional value.

• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 29,137 (18,430 undergraduates)
• Team: Tar Heels
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the UNC Chapel Hill profile

North Carolina State University is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and it is the largest university in North Carolina. The most popular undergraduate programs are in business, engineering, the sciences and the social sciences.

• Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 34,767 (25,176 undergraduates)
• Team: Wolfpack
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the North Carolina State University profile

Established by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia has one of the most historic and beautiful campuses in the U.S. It aslo has the largest endowment of any public university. The University of Virginia, along with Georgia Tech and UNC Chapel Hill, made my list of top public universities.

• Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 24,297 (15,762 undergraduates)
• Team: Cavaliers
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the University of Virginia profile

Located in Blacksburg, Virginia Tech typically ranks among the top 10 public engineering schools. It also earns high marks for its business and architecture programs. Virginia Tech maintains a corps of cadets, and since its founding in 1872 the school has been classified as a military college.

• Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
• School type: public
• Enrollment: 30,936 (23,700 undergraduates)
• Team: Hokies
• Explore the Campus: Virginia Tech Photo Tour
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Virginia Tech profile

One of the four private universities in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Wake Forest was one of the first highly competitive colleges to make SAT and ACT scores optional for admissions. Located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Wake Forest provides its students with a great balance of a small college academic experience and a large university sports scene.

• Location: Winston Salem, North Carolina
• School type: private
• Enrollment: 7,351 (4,775 undergraduates)
• Team: Demon Deacons
• Explore the Campus: Wake Forest photo tour
• For acceptance rate, test scores, costs and other information, see the Wake Forest University profile