Big, beautiful campuses, large student populations, lots of clubs and sports, and loads of academic opportunities are all characteristics of this year’s top 25 best large colleges. These powerhouse schools are some of the most well-known in the US and bring tons of benefits for students and faculty alike.
For the purposes of the list, we count large colleges as having over 10,000 total students enrolled – so, this includes undergraduates and graduate students.
Top 25 Best Large Colleges
Harvard University has turned out some amazing alumni. In fact, the school has more alumni, researchers, and faculty that have won Nobel Prizes and Field Medals than any other school in the world. Alumni also include eight U.S. presidents, 188 living billionaires, and 110 Olympic medalists. The most common majors include Social Sciences, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Computer Science.
Location
Cambridge, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
30,631
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, offers up to a doctorate degree with many undergraduate students focusing on Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Mathematics. Approximately 27,000 applications are received by the school each year. Alumni have gone on to found companies like Intel, Koch Industries, Dropbox, and Campbell Soup.
Location
Cambridge, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
11,858
The University of Chicago receives around 38,600 applications annually though only 5% are accepted. Most often, accepted students have test scores in the range of 34 - 35 for ACT or 1,510 - 1,560 for SAT. The school is made up of their undergraduate college and five graduate research divisions. They also have campuses all over the world from Hong Kong to Paris.
Location
Chicago, IL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
18,339
Yale University got its start in 1701 under the name Collegiate School, getting its current name in 1718. Their motto, “lux et veritas,” means “light and truth” in Latin. The university is made up of fourteen schools including the undergraduate college, twelve professional schools, and the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Yale’s acceptance rate is just 5%.
Location
New Haven, CT
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
14,776
The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740, primarily by Benjamin Franklin who was also their first president. Franklin Field, where the Quakers play in the NCAA Division I – Ivy League, is named after the founder. With an outstanding 98% first year retention rate, 88% of students will go on to graduate in four years. 97% will graduate in six.
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
28,201
Stanford University accepts 4% of applicants, and 98% of students will stay at the school after they complete their first year. Their student-to-faculty ratio is only 5 to 1. The 31st president of the United States, Herbert Hoover, was a graduate of Stanford. Other alumni have included Fulbright Scholars, members of Congress, astronauts, and billionaires. Known as the Stanford Cardinal, their colors are cardinal and white.
Location
Stanford, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
18,283
Columbia has a very selective acceptance rate of 4%, accepting only 2,500 students out of 57,600 applicants. Top choices in regards to majors include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Political Science and Government. It’s the oldest institution of higher education in the state, founded before the Declaration of Independence.
Location
New York City, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
34,782
Methodists and Quakers founded Duke University in 1838. The school has produced 50 Rhodes Scholars, three Turing Award winners, and 15 Noble laureates. Known as the Blue Devils, the university’s colors are Duke blue and white. The top majors among students include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Public Policy Analysis.
Location
Durham, NC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
18,023
Top majors at Northwestern University are Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia, and Biology/Biological Sciences. A founding member of the Big Ten Conference, top sports for the Wildcats include Football, Basketball, and Swimming and Diving (combined). Willie the Wildcat cheers them on and the colors are purple and white.
Location
Evanston, IL
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
23,161
Popular majors at Brown University include Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Applied Mathematics. Founded in 1764, it was the first school in North America that accepted students regardless of their religion. Their women’s institution, Pembroke College, was merged into Brown in 1971. Alumni have gone on to create famous companies including ZipRecruiter, Cards Against Humanity, and CNN.
Location
Providence, RI
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
11,189
Edward Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame in 1842 as a private Catholic research University. Their motto is, “Vita Dulcedo Spes” or “Life, Sweetness, Hope” – referencing the Virgin Mary. The school’s teams are known as the Fighting Irish and wear the colors blue and gold. Their mascot is the very iconic leprechaun.
Location
Notre Dame, IN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
13,105
Vanderbilt receives about 45,300 applications each admission cycle from prospective students. Top majors students pursue include Social Sciences, General and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies. The university was named in honor of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a shipping and rail magnate, due to his gift of $1 million.
Location
Nashville, TN
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
13,710
Cornell University is made up of seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions. Some famous alumni have been Christopher Reeve, Bill Nye, E.B. White, and Anthony Fauci. 97% of students stay on after the first year, with 95% graduating within six years. Computer Science is the most popular major.
Location
Ithaca, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
25,898
Washington University in St. Louis was named after George Washington and founded in 1853. A private research university, the school receives around 32,000 applications a year and accepts about 3,870 students. Commonly chosen majors are Computer Science, Experimental Psychology, and Finance. Top sports on campus include Basketball, Football, and Track and Field and Cross Country.
Location
Saint Louis, MO
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
17,012
Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 and named for its first benefactor. Known as the first research university in the country, its motto in Latin is, “veritas vos liberabit,” or “the truth will set you free.” The Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team plays in the Big Ten Conference and has over 40 national titles. The two most popular majors are Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology and Public Health.
Location
Baltimore, MD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
31,275
Carnegie Mellon University is known for being an extremely selective school and receives approximately 34,000 applications every year. A merger between Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research in 1900 created the school we know today. Some popular majors include Computer Science, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Business Administration and Management.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
16,002
Thomas Jefferson founded The University of Virginia. The school had a Board of Visitors that included Jefferson, James Monroe, and James Madison. Well known for its secret societies, the school is also known for their sporting accomplishments. The Cavaliers, who wear orange and blue, have over 30 championship wins.
Location
Charlottesville, VA
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
26,082
A private Jesuit research university, Georgetown University was founded as the Georgetown College in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll. It’s the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the country and offers over 40 different majors. Past graduates include Bill Clinton, Lyndon B. Johnson, senators, representatives, and other leading politicians.
Location
Washington, DC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
20,984
Emory University received 32,000 applications last year and had an acceptance rate of just 11%. It has a strong 95% first year retention rate, 83% four year graduation rate, and 9 to 1 student to faculty ratio. There are nine academic divisions in this school including Emory College of Arts and Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Rollins School of Public Health, and others.
Location
Atlanta, GA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
14,841
Tufts University receives around 34,000 applications a year and accepts 10% of students. It got its start as Tufts College and was a small liberal arts college. In the 1970s, it became a research university. The university offers over 70 undergraduate programs; Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Computer Science are the most popular.
Location
Medford, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
13,431
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university. Αἰὲν ἀριστεύειν, or “Ever to Excel,” is the school’s motto. Its athletic teams are known as the Eagles, with a mascot known as Baldwin the Eagle. Student-athletes wear maroon and gold. Past students have included John F. Kerry, Leonard Nimoy, Chris O’Donnell, and Amy Poehler.
Location
Chestnut Hill, MA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
15,287
The University of Southern California is an extremely large school with more graduates than undergraduates. The most popular major by far for undergraduates is Business Administration and Management, General. Some notable alumni include LeVar Burton, Neil Armstrong, Will Ferrell, and George Lucas.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
48,945
Commonly called NYU, you can find this university in the heart of Manhattan. They have a relatively low acceptance rate of 9%. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies is the top major, but Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, Research and Experimental Psychology, and Registered Nursing are not far behind. The school has produced a number of famous alumni including Martin Scorsese, Jack Dorsey, Robert Muller III, and Alec Baldwin.
Location
New York City, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
59,144
Accepting just 18% of applicants, 47% of students accepted to decide to attend the University of Michigan. Computer and Information Sciences, Business Administration and Management, and Economics are the most pursued majors. U of M Ann Arbor is home of the “Big House” – the biggest college football stadium in the US.
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
51,225
Villanova University is the oldest Catholic university in Pennsylvania. It’s also the only Augustinian university in the country. The school still has deep religious roots and the administration is led by priests. Their motto is “Veritas, Unitas, Caritas” or “Truth, Unity, Charity.” Jill Biden and Howie Long are two famous alumni who have attended Villanova.
Location
Villanova, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
10,383
Is a Large College Right for You?
Large colleges bring a whole host of benefits to students looking to further their education.
Benefits of a Large College
Large colleges have the potential to deliver a life-changing education along with a host of benefits including:
- A wide variety of excellent programs. Since they have a larger faculty, these schools are more likely able to build and promote strong majors and minors for their students.
- Unique and niche areas of study as they have so much experience to draw from with their professors and instructors.
- Tons of great options in the way of clubs, sports, and extracurriculars. Students are able to find clubs that fit even the most niche of interests among these schools’ student bodies.
- Large libraries, several education and career resources for students, and more research opportunities.
Drawbacks of a Large College
Larger colleges tend of have larger class sizes. These schools are more likely to have lecture hall style courses. It can also be more difficult to stand out among the crowd or get to know the professor. Some may also feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of students in the class and on campus.
Large colleges deliver a number of benefits for students. For students who may want a more tight-knit community, a small or mid-sized school may be the better option for them. But, if you think a large school is exactly what you want out of your higher education experience or you’re looking for a diverse student body, these top 25 best large colleges a great place to start your search.
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
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