If you’re starting your search for the best university for you, it can be hard to know where to start.
Do you want to go local? Or out of state? Public or private? Dorms or apartments? Fortunately, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to!
In our ranking of the 10 best universities for masters students, we explore each school’s atmosphere and student body, graduate employment opportunities, and financial aid options to determine which are worth your time and money.
Read on to find out more!
1) Harvard University:
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country.
It has been ranked as the number one university in America by U.S. News & World Report’s ranking system for over three decades.
The school grants admission to students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries each year, making it a true global leader in academic excellence.
One of its most notable alumni includes American president John F. Kennedy, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1940 before earning an LLB degree at the law school in 1947.
In addition to being home to some of the best known academic programs including architecture, business administration and engineering, there are numerous opportunities for undergraduates including language studies (with international campuses), art history and sculpture studio space.
2) Stanford University:
Stanford University is one of the best universities in the United States. Located in Palo Alto, California, Stanford’s motto is the wind of freedom blows, and the university has been ranked as the top school in America by US News & World Report.
The campus offers a variety of degrees to students including those that are engineering, business related, or humanities based.
The student to faculty ratio at Stanford is 5:1 and the average class size is 20 people per course.
The tuition for an undergraduate degree at Stanford costs about $45,000 per year and it also offers graduate programs that start at $46,000 per year.
3) Massachusetts Institute of Technology:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the best university for masters students.
MIT has a low student to faculty ratio, which means that you get more one-on-one time with professors and more chances to get individualized feedback.
It’s also ranked #1 in engineering degrees and #2 in computer science degrees, meaning they have the best resources in these fields.
If you’re looking for a private university with an affordable price tag, MIT is perfect because it offers need blind admission and generous financial aid packages.
4) University of California, Berkeley:
Berkeley is a public research university established in 1868, and known as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement.
The university has been ranked as one of the top 20 universities in the world. Berkeley offers more than 200 degree programs across its eight undergraduate colleges, six professional schools, and graduate division.
It is home to the oldest campus botanical garden in North America, and has been a pioneer on issues such as sustainability, interdisciplinary studies, and globalization.
5) Columbia University:
Columbia University was founded in 1754 and is located in New York City.
It’s one of the oldest universities in the US and has been recognized as one of the world’s best schools.
Columbia offers a wide range of master’s programs, with many being ranked among the best graduate schools by US News & World Report.
Some of their top rated programs are in law, business, public health and journalism.
They also offer some of the best medical school rankings in the country.
6) Princeton University:
Princeton is one of the most prestigious schools in the country, and it’s ranked as a top university in America by U.S News and World Report.
Considered to be one of the best universities in America, Princeton offers a top-notch education while also providing its students with a very low student-to-faculty ratio.
Founded in 1746, the school has produced some of the nation’s top scholars and statesmen, including Nobel Prize winners John Nash and John F. Nash Jr., former New Jersey governor Thomas Kean, poet Joyce Kilmer and David Sarnoff–founder of RCA Victor, NBC, and public television broadcasting.
The school’s close proximity to New York City also provides an excellent opportunity for internships at major companies like Goldman Sachs or JP Morgan Chase.
7) Yale University:
Yale University is a private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut.
Founded in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
The school became coeducational in 1969, when Yale’s undergraduate divisions became coeducational. Undergraduate enrollment increased from 1,200 to 6,000 post merger.
Yale has been ranked first among national universities by U.S. News & World Report since 1986; no other school has been ranked number one more times in that time span.
8) University of Michigan:
University of Michigan is ranked as the fifth best university in the nation by US News and World Report.
The school offers a variety of masters programs that are ranked among the top ten in the country.
The student to faculty ratio is 12:1, with an average class size of 20 students. One-third of all undergrads at U-M get some kind of financial aid.
There are over 700 clubs and organizations on campus where students can find extracurriculars to keep them busy outside the classroom.
Over 90% percent of graduates find employment within six months or less after graduating from U-M, making it one of the most successful universities in terms of job placement rates.
9) Duke University:
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in 1838, the school moved to its current location in 1924.
Today, Duke’s $12 billion endowment makes it the sixth-wealthiest university in America. The university comprises nine undergraduate and thirteen graduate schools as well as the Duke University Health System.
10) Cornell University:
Cornell University provides a top-notch education and is an excellent choice for people looking to study the humanities, sciences, social sciences, engineering, and business.
Cornell’s liberal arts curriculum combines traditional courses with career-focused coursework to give you skills that will prepare you for a future in your desired field.
Plus, Cornell offers some of the best financial aid packages in the country so you can go ahead and get that degree without worrying about student debt.
