At the height of academia are the research colleges. These schools give both students and faculty the opportunity to participate in hands-on, groundbreaking research and in turn the potential to make incredible advancements in the sciences. And in fact, they do. Every single year.
What is a Research College?
Research colleges refer to schools that offer involvement in research opportunities to students and professors. They offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to their students. They also tend to receive federal research grants and fund their own research. Research universities can be public or private and are often known for their distinguished faculty.
Research colleges and universities cover a wide variety of majors from medicine to technology. Though much emphasis is put on graduate and Ph.D. programs, research universities also have excellent undergraduate opportunities.
With top-notch resources, programs, and professors, the universities and colleges featured on this top 25 list are the pinnacles of research colleges throughout the country.
Top 25 Best Research Colleges
A private Ivy League research university, Princeton University was founded in 1746 and originally known as the College of New Jersey. This makes it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the country. The school receives around 39,600 applications annually and has an acceptance rate of only 5%, making it highly competitive.
Location
Princeton, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,842
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
Also known as Caltech, the California Institute of Technology’s motto is, “the truth shall make you free.” Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering are top majors among students, and there have been over 75 Nobel laureates associated with Caltech (including 40 alumni and faculty members). The school is classified as “Doctoral/Research Universities--Extensive.”
Location
Pasadena, CA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,401
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
A private Ivy League research university, Dartmouth was founded before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Three famous alumni include Daniel Webster, Robert Frost, and Thaddeus Stevens. The school also graduated several members of the Senate and House of Representatives in the United States, Nobel Prize laureates, and more.
Location
Hanover, NH
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,744
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
A selective school, only 8% of applicants are accepted into Rice. The school has 11 residential colleges and eight schools of academic study. Rice University was established in 1912 and named after William Marsh Rice. He had requested a free-tuition educational institute be opened after his death.
Location
Houston, TX
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
8,672
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
Is a Research College Right for You?
One of the major benefits of attending a research college is the potential opportunity to participate in research in your field. Participation allows you to have hands-on research and experience that can translate to your career after graduation; it also looks amazing on a resume. In addition, these opportunities can lead to amazing network connections and help to prepare you for graduate programs.
However, research colleges are not for everyone. For example, an English major may find opportunities at one of these schools, but their interests and goals are likely to be better fitted for a liberal arts college. They are, though, perfect for those interested in science, medicine, technology, and other research-intensive majors and careers.
What to look for in Research Colleges
Like the top-ranked programs above, when you are looking for the best research college for you, you’ll want to consider:
- The College’s Reputation. Does is strive for academic excellence and engaging community involvement?
- Access to experts and experienced professors.
- Do the professors and faculty have professional and academic connections? This could help place you after graduation.
- Specialized majors. Do they have the programs you are interested in? (Climate change, gender identity, emergency management, or other next generation studies).
- Student resources. Make sure they have the facilities, research opportunities, and networking connections to help make your higher learning a success.
Interested in any of these top research colleges? Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if they’re a good fit for you!
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.
