2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in the United States
Northwestern University ranks #1 of 2,137 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’s Degree Colleges in the United States ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 93% six-year graduation rate and $107,991 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the United States, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **2137** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual evaluated 2137 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Learn more about our ranking methodology.
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Early-career salaries.
Here is the early-career salary range across the top-ranked colleges:
Starting Salary ( 63813 to 92182 )
Top 25 Colleges in the United States
Northwestern University leads the 2,137 ranked colleges in the United States, followed by Stanford University (#2) and Duke University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Northwestern University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Early-career graduates earn a median of $78,551. Northwestern University students take on a median of $16,616 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Stanford University, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates go on to earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Stanford University students take on a median of $10,492 in debt.
A rank of #3 makes Duke University one of the top colleges in the United States. Located in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Early-career graduates earn a median of $83,388. The median student debt is $13,296.
Out of the 2137 colleges in the United States in this year's ranking, Georgetown University landed the #4 spot. Based in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Early-career graduates earn a median of $79,632. The median student debt is $16,483.
The strong outcomes at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Early-career graduates earn a median of $81,002. Graduates carry a median of $15,854 in student loans.
Vanderbilt University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Early-career graduates earn a median of $77,997. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Graduates go on to earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania students take on a median of $16,155 in debt.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $66,254. Graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans.
Santa Clara University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Santa Clara, CA. Santa Clara University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $79,380. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #10 in this year's ranking. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates report median early-career earnings of $61,361. Typical student debt is $15,117.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Early-career graduates earn a median of $70,847. University Of California Berkeley students take on a median of $14,238 in debt.
Boston College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,702. Early-career graduates earn a median of $66,132. Boston College students take on a median of $18,101 in debt.
Cornell University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Early-career graduates earn a median of $75,976. Cornell University students take on a median of $15,005 in debt.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Median early-career earnings reach $113,129. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology students take on a median of $13,516 in debt.
University Of Virginia Main Campus did well this year, earning the #15 position. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public school based in Charlottesville, VA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,126 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus students take on a median of $18,627 in debt.
Dartmouth College placed #16 among the best colleges in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hanover, NH. Dartmouth College posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,019. Median early-career earnings reach $81,992. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete a degree here.
Rice University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Median early-career earnings reach $75,299. Rice University students take on a median of $11,904 in debt.
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. Washington University In St Louis posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Early-career graduates earn a median of $68,303. Typical student debt is $17,553.
The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston did well this year, earning the #19 position. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a public school based in Houston, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,748, compared with $43,132 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $101,165. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston students take on a median of $21,988 in debt.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. Median early-career earnings reach $69,494. The median student debt is $19,891.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates report median early-career earnings of $61,010. Typical student debt is $19,273.
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #22 position. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,877. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete a degree here.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. The median student debt is $24,323.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans.
Harvard University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 98% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Graduates go on to earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete a degree here.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Colleges in the United States
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 2,137 in the United States. These colleges rounded out the top of the list:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in the United States, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This list ranks **2137** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
