My list of the ten best universities is filled mostly with Ivy League schools. This list adds ten more outstanding private universities to the mix. Each one of these universities is highly placed in national rankings, and each provides a winning combination of quality academics, high-level research, attractive facilities and strong name recognition. I've listed the universities alphabetically to avoid petty and arbitrary distinctions.
Chicago, University of
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Although the University of Chicago has almost twice as many graduate students as undergrads, the undergraduate programs are highly respected and a significant majority of students go on to graduate school. Social sciences, sciences, and humanities are all strong.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Enrollment (2007): 14,538 (4,926 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: strong first-year student housing system; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the University of Chicago profile
Carnegie Mellon University
Jimmy Lin / Flickr
Carnegie Mellon University is best known for its top-ranked science and engineering programs, but prospective students shouldn't underestimate the school's strengths in the arts and sciences as well.
- Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Enrollment (2007): 10,326 (5,682 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: one of the top 10 engineering schools; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Carnegie Mellon profile
Emory University
Nrbelex / Flickr
Emory's multi-billion-dollar endowment ranks with many Ivy League universities and helps support its strong schools of medicine, theology, law, nursing, and public health. The prestigious Goizueta Business School can boast faculty members such as former President Jimmy Carter.
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Enrollment (2007): 12,570 ((6,719 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: one of the top ten business schools; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Emory University profile
Georgetown University
tvol / Flickr
Georgetown is a private Jesuit university in Washington, D.C. The school's location in the capital has contributed to its sizable international student population, and the popularity of the International Relations major. Bill Clinton stands out among Georgetown's notable alumni.
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Enrollment (2007): 14,826 (7,038 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University, Jesuit
- Distinctions: new branch campus in Qatar; member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Georgetown University profile
Johns Hopkins University
timwindsor / Flickr
The majority of undergraduate programs at Johns Hopkins are housed in the attractive red-brick Homewood Campus in the northern part of the city. Johns Hopkins is best-known for its professional programs in the health sciences, international relations and engineering, but the liberal arts and sciences are also strong..
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Enrollment (2007): 19,682 (5,650 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Johns Hopkins University profile
Northwestern University
powerbooktrance / Flickr
Located on a 240-acre campus in a suburb community just north of Chicago on the shore of lake Michigan, Northwestern has a rare balance of exceptional academics and athletics. It is the only private university in the Big Ten athletic conference.
- Location: Evanston, Illinois
- Enrollment (2007): 19,005 (9,261 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: member of the NCAA Division I Big Ten athletic conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Northwestern University profile
Notre Dame, University of
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- Location: Notre Dame, Indiana
- Enrollment (2007): 11,733 (8,371 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University, Catholic
- Distinctions: member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the University of Notre Dame profile
Rice University
Rice MBA / Flickr
Rice University earns its reputation as a "Southern Ivy." The university boasts a multi-billion-dollar endowment, a 5 to 1 ratio of undergraduates to faculty members, a median class size of 15, and a residential college system modeled after Oxford.
- Location: Houston, Texas
- Enrollment (2007): 5,161 (3,017 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: member of the NCAA Division I Conference USA; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the profile
Vanderbilt University
Zeamays / Wikimedia Commons
Like a few of the other universities on this list, Vanderbilt has an impressive mix of strong academics and Division I athletics. The university has particular strengths in education, law, medicine, and business.
- Location: Nashville, Tennessee
- Enrollment (2007): 11,847 (6,532 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: member of the NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the profile
Washington University in St. Louis
黄若云 / Flickr
For both the quality of its programs and the strength of its students, Washington University is comparable to many of the East Coast Ivy League universities (with, Wash U would argue, a bit more Midwest friendliness). Every undergraduate belongs to a residential college, creating a small-college atmosphere within this mid-sized university.
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri
- Enrollment (2007): 13,382 (7,253 undergraduates)
- Type of College: Private Research University
- Distinctions: strong residential college program; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; member of the Association of American Universities
- See cost, financial aid, and admissions data in the Washington University profile
