With the end of the school year near, and thousands of kids graduating across the nation; along comes college.  Many may have no idea what college would suit their academic choices or future careers.  Luckily, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the top universities across the nation.  While I am not saying that any of these colleges will certainly fit your requirements and educational needs, you should at least read on, because these Universities are nationally ranked, so they must be pretty amazing!

10.  (Tie) Dartmouth College:  With a total undergraduate enrollment rate of 4,194; Dartmouth stands at number ten on the U.S. News & World Report’s ten top universities.  On the Connecticut River, with the White mountains nearby, Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire.  Dartmouth is a member of the Ivy League, and it constantly ranks among the world’s greatest academic institutions.  The tuition and fees from 2012 to 2013 was $45,042.  If you want to apply for Dartmouth, you had better do it by January first; the regular decision application deadline. 

10.  (Tie) California Institute of Technology: Tied with Dartmouth for number ten is California Institute of Technology.  The California Institute of Technology, located in Pasadena, California is a private research university.  Caltech (as it is often called)has six academic divisions with a strong emphasis on science as well as engineering.  California has a total undergraduate enrollment rate of 978 and tuition and fees at $39,588 (from 2012 to 2013).  The regular decision application deadline os also January first, like with Dartmouth. 

9.  University of Pennsylvania:  The University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest   universities on America.  It is also a member of the Ivy League.  Penn is dedicated to implementing environmentally-conscious policies as well as promoting a sustainable culture.  The total undergraduate enrollment rate for Penn is at 9,779.  The tuition and fees from 2012 to 2013 were $ 43,738.  Regularly the decision application deadline is, like the previously mentioned colleges, is in fact, January first.

8.  Duke University:  At number eight on the list of top ten universities according to the U.S. News & World Report, is Duke University.  A private research university, located in Durham, North Carolina.  Duke University was founded by Quakers and Methodists in 1838 in the town of Trinity.  Duke’s total undergraduate enrollment stands at 6,680.  2012 to 2013 tuition plus fees was $43,623.  January second is Duke’s regular decision application deadline.

7.  Stanford University:  Located in Stanford, California; Stanford University sits on an 8,180-acre campus.  Stanford’s total undergraduate enrollment rate is 6,988.  From 2012 to 2013, their tuition and fees cost $41,787.  Stanford’s regular decision application deadline is January first, like most.

6.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology:  Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university.  MIT is devoted to the advancement of knowledge and education of students in areas that contribute to/prosper in an environment of science.  MIT’s total undergraduate enrollment is 4,384.  The tuition and fees for MIT form 2012 to 2013 was $42,050.  January first is their regular decision application deadline.

5.  University of Chicago:  Founded in 1891, the University of Chicago is a private, culturally diverse coeducational research university located in Chicago, Illinois; near Hyde Park.  The total undergraduate enrollment rate is 5,388.  The tuition and fees form 2012 and 2013 was $44,574.  The University of Chicago’s regular decision application deadline is on January third.

4.  Columbia University:  Columbia University was founded in 1754 as King’s College and is the oldest institution of higher learning in New York State.  It is also an American private Ivy League research university.  Columbia University’s total undergraduate enrollment rate is currently 6,027.  From 2012 to 2013, their tuition and fees were $47,246.  Columbia University’s regular decision application deadline is January first.

3.  Yale University:  Yale University is a private Ivy League research university, located in New Haven, Connecticut.  Yale is the third oldest institution of higher education in the United States.  Their total undergraduate enrollment rate is; 5,349.  Tuition and fees were $42,300 from 2012 through 2013.  December 31st is Yale’s regular decision application deadline.

2.  Princeton University:  Located in Princeton, New Jersey; Princeton University is one of the eight Ivy League universities, and one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution.  The total undergraduate enrollment rate is; 5,249.  $38,650 was the cost of tuition and fees from 2012 to 2013.  Princeton’s regular decision deadline is January first.

1.  Harvard University:  Coming in at number one; Harvard University.  Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature, Harvard is an American private Ivy League research university.  Harvard’s total undergraduate enrollment rate is; 6,657.  From 2012 through 2013, their tuition and fees were $40,866.  Harvard’s regular decision application deadline is January first.