The United States of America being one of the most developed countries is also famous for offering the best facilities for students who intend to start their higher education journey in the country. It has some of the most popular universities like Harvard University and Cornell University. This article is for students who are going to start their higher education soon and offers a list of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US that will help you shape your future in the best way.
1. Princeton University
- State: New Jersey
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $59,792
- Average Debt: $7,559
- Median 10-year Salary: $189,400
- Financial Grade: A-
Established in the year 1746, Princeton University located in New Jersey is one of the most prestigious universities in the US offering a graduation rate of 98% and an acceptance rate of 6%. It achieved 22nd rank in the QS World University Ranking 2025 and 4th under the subject category along with a 313th rank in the QS Sustainability Ranking. Princeton University is known all across the nation for offering the most preferred majors like engineering, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences.
2. Stanford University
- State: California
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $60,619
- Average Debt: $12,999
- Median 10-year Salary: $177,500
- Financial Grade: A+
Established in the year 1885, Stanford University located in California is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US offering a graduation rate of 95% and an acceptance rate is 4%. It achieved 6th rank in the QS World University Ranking 2025 and 2nd under the subject category. It also ranked 148th in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. It is known across the states for offering various undergraduate courses with multiple options in majors like Biology, Economics, Psychology, Political Science, and Computer Science.
Also read: Paddington in Peru Review – Think Twice Before Bringing the Bear Back
3. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- State: Massachusetts
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $45,591
- Average Debt: $13,792
- Median 10-year Salary: $189,400
- Financial Grade: A
Established in the year 1861, is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US. The graduation rate is 96% and the acceptance rate is 4%. It ranked 1st in the QS World University Ranking and 15th in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. It also ranked 1st under the subject category making it one of the best universities in the world. It offers undergraduate courses with 58 major and 59 minor programmes. Some of the most popular majors are Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, and more.
4. Yale University
- State: Connecticut
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $63,523
- Average Debt: $4,926
- Median 10-year Salary: $168,300
- Financial Grade: A+
Established in the year 1701, Yale University is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US offering a graduation rate of 96% and an acceptance rate is 5%. It achieved 23rd rank in the QS World University Ranking and 4th under the subject category. It also ranked 76th in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. Yale University is widely known across the country for courses like Mathematics, Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology, Engineering, History, and more, offered by it.
5. University of California, Berkeley
- State: California
- Type: Public
- Average Grant Aid: $21,669
- Average Debt: $7,238
- Median 10-year Salary: $167,000
Established in the year 1868, the University of California, Berkeley, is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US offering a graduation rate of 92% and an acceptance rate of 11%. It achieved 12th rank in the QS World University Ranking and 2nd under the subject category. It also ranked 2nd in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. It is famous across the country for the bachelor’s programmes offered by it in majors like Economics, Cellular Biology, Computer Science, Business, Psychology, Electrical Engineering, and more.
Also read: Quincy Jones Net Worth: A Look at the Legendary Producer’s Wealth
6. Columbia University
- State: New York
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $61,061
- Average Debt: $16,849
- Median 10-year Salary: $156,000
- Financial Grade: A+
Established in the year 1754, Columbia University is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US. The graduation rate is 94% and the acceptance rate is 4%. It ranked 34th in the QS World University Ranking and 3rd under the subject category. It also ranked 211 in the QS Sustainability Ranking. It is famous for the courses offered in majors like Economics, Computer Science, Political Science, Psychology, History, English, Neuroscience, Performing Arts, and many more.
7. University of Pennsylvania
- State: Pennsylvania
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $57,175
- Average Debt: $12,499
- Median 10-year Salary: $171,800
- Financial Grade: A+
Established in the year 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US. The graduation rate is 96% and the acceptance rate is 7%. It ranked 11th under the QS World University Ranking 2025 and 1st under the subject category. It also ranked 71 in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. It offers undergraduate programmes in more than 90 majors. Some of the top majors include Nursing, Business, Engineering, Veterinary Medicine, Criminology, and more.
8. Harvard University
- State: Massachusetts
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $61,801
- Average Debt: $9,004
- Median 10-year Salary: $171,400
- Financial Grade: A
Established in the year 1636, Harvard University is also a part of our list of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US offering a graduation rate of 98% and the acceptance rate of 3%. It achieved 4th rank in the QS World University Ranking and 1st under the subject category. It also ranked 130 in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. Harvard University is known across the States for offering most preferred majors like Social Sciences, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, History, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Psychology, Performing Arts, and English.
9. Rice University
- State: Texas
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $51,955
- Average Debt: $10,818
- Median 10-year Salary: $152,100
- Financial Grade: A
Established in the year 1912, Rice University is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US. The graduation rate is 94% while the acceptance rate is 9%. It achieved 141 rank in the QS World University Ranking and 91 under the subject category. It also ranked 536 in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025. Rice University is known across the country for offering programmes in most preferred majors like Computer Science, Biology, Economics, Psychology, Engineering, and more.
10. Cornell University
- State: New York
- Type: Private not-for-profits
- Average Grant Aid: $54,219
- Average Debt: $8,309
- Median 10-year Salary: $155,400
- Financial Grade: A+
Established in the year 1865, Cornell University is another one of the top 10 most prestigious universities in the US. The graduation rate is 95% while the acceptance rate is 7%. It achieved 16th rank in the QS World University Ranking and 3rd under the subject category. It also ranked 208 in the QS Sustainability Ranking. Cornell University is known across the US for offering Bachelor’s Programmes in most preferred majors like Labour and Industrial Relations, Computer Science, Biology, Hotel Management, Engineering, and more.
