Higher education is a crucial aspect of one’s life. It is a stepping stone to a bright career, a way to develop personal and intellectual skills, and a means to create a better world. With the increase in educational institutions, it is essential to choose the right university which values your proficiency and abilities.
Hence it is essential to know about the rankings of the universities so that you can land in your dream college.
In this article, we will know about the universities present in the top 100 rankings in the USA.
Methodology
The ranking of the universities is based on the QS World University Rankings 2021, which is one of the most prestigious ranking systems of universities across the globe. The scores for the institutions are based on six metrics which are explained below:
– Academic Reputation – Scores are based on evaluations given by academic scholars in a specific field.
– Employer Reputation – Scores are based on the opinions of global employers on the quality of the institution’s graduates.
– Faculty/Student Ratio – Scores are based on the ratio of faculty to students.
– Citations per faculty – Scores are based on the impact of research conducted by the universities.
– International Faculty Ratio – Scores are based on the ratio of international faculty working in the institution.
– International Student Ratio – Scores are based on the number of international students studying in the institution.
The weights of the above metrics are allocated in the following way: Academic Reputation (40%), Employer Reputation (10%), Faculty/Student Ratio (20%), Citations per faculty (20%), International Faculty Ratio (5%), International Student Ratio(5%).
Now, let’s take a look at the top 100 universities in the USA.
Harvard University
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is the best university in America. Founded in 1636, it has a legacy of producing academic scholars, policymakers, and global leaders. The university is renowned for its philosophy, humanities, social sciences, and creative arts. It has a vast alumni network, including eight US presidents, 158 Nobel laureates, and 14 Turing Award winners.
The metric scores of Harvard are:
– Academic Reputation – 99.7
– Employer Reputation – 99.8
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 98.7
– Citations per faculty – 99.8
– International Faculty Ratio – 79.9
– International Student Ratio – 88.3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), founded in 1861, is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is known for its excellent teaching and research in subjects including architecture, engineering, management, social sciences, and natural sciences. MIT has produced 97 Nobel laureates and 26 Turing Award winners.
The metric scores of MIT are:
– Academic Reputation – 99.8
– Employer Reputation – 95.5
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 98.1
– Citations per faculty – 99.9
– International Faculty Ratio – 89.1
– International Student Ratio – 97.5
Stanford University
Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, is known all around the globe due to its excellence in research and teaching. Founded in 1885, the university has produced over 30 Nobel laureates. Apart from academics, the university is also known for its sports culture and has produced several Olympic medal winners.
The metric scores of Stanford University are:
– Academic Reputation – 99.7
– Employer Reputation – 99.5
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 98.9
– Citations per faculty – 97.5
– International Faculty Ratio – 76.9
– International Student Ratio – 48.3
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech), located in Pasadena, California, is a leading research institution known for its superb faculty members and world-class facilities. The institution is particularly popular for its engineering, natural sciences, and applied sciences. It has produced 39 Nobel laureates, seven Turing Award winners, and six Fields Medalists.
The metric scores of Caltech are:
– Academic Reputation – 97.3
– Employer Reputation – 92.2
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 96.6
– Citations per faculty – 99.9
– International Faculty Ratio – 92.3
– International Student Ratio – 78.6
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago, founded in 1890, is in the list of the top ten universities in the USA. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the university is known for its academic research as well as the humanities and social sciences. The institution has been the source of 100 Nobel Prize winners, nine Fields Medalists, and 23 Rhodes Scholars.
The metric scores of the University of Chicago are:
– Academic Reputation – 98.9
– Employer Reputation – 89.4
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 99.7
– Citations per faculty – 96.0
– International Faculty Ratio – 73.4
– International Student Ratio – 25.0
Princeton University
Founded in 1746 in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University is one of the oldest private research universities in the United States. Princeton is justly famous for its undergraduate-focused liberal arts curriculum, which makes it one of the most selective universities globally. The institution has a highly regarded graduate program in STEM fields, social sciences, and humanities.
The metric scores of Princeton University are:
– Academic Reputation – 99.1
– Employer Reputation – 98.5
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 99.7
– Citations per faculty – 99.9
– International Faculty Ratio – 56.6
– International Student Ratio – 11.4
Yale University
Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is a private Ivy League research university. Founded in 1701, it has a vast endowment of over $30 billion and is well-known for its outstanding art and law programs. With 61 Nobel laureates, 3 Turing Award winners, and ten Rhodes Scholars, Yale University has a significant reputation globally.
The metric scores of Yale University are:
– Academic Reputation – 98.2
– Employer Reputation – 93.8
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 97.7
– Citations per faculty – 99.6
– International Faculty Ratio – 57.3
– International Student Ratio – 20.9
Columbia University
Located in New York City, Columbia University is a private Ivy League research university. Founded in 1754, it is one of the oldest universities in the United States. It offers a graduate program in several fields and is ranked among the top ten globally. The institution has over 100 Nobel laureates and 3 Turing Award winners.
The metric scores of Columbia University are:
– Academic Reputation – 97.8
– Employer Reputation – 90.3
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 97.9
– Citations per faculty – 99.7
– International Faculty Ratio – 72.7
– International Student Ratio – 28.5
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania, also known as Penn, is a private Ivy League research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The university was founded in 1740 and is known for its innovation and interdisciplinary research. Penn has produced several Nobel laureates, 29 Rhodes Scholars, and 14 Turing Award winners.
The metric scores of the University of Pennsylvania are:
– Academic Reputation – 97.6
– Employer Reputation – 96.4
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 99.0
– Citations per faculty – 96.4
– International Faculty Ratio – 78.9
– International Student Ratio – 29.1
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a private research university. It was founded in 1876 and is known for its excellence in medicine, nursing, and public health. The university has an endowment of over $6 billion and has produced over 20 Nobel laureates and three Turing Award winners.
The metric scores of Johns Hopkins University are:
– Academic Reputation – 89.8
– Employer Reputation – 92.8
– Faculty/Student Ratio – 97.9
– Citations per faculty – 99.5
– International Faculty Ratio – 66.2
– International Student Ratio – 24.4
Conclusion
There are several academic institutions in the United States that offer excellent programs, teaching, and research. The ranking system used here for assessing these universities is the QS World University Rankings 2021. The rankings are based on several metrics such as the institution’s academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty/student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, and international student ratio.
In conclusion, if you aspire to study in America, it is crucial to look into the rankings of the universities and assess their faculty, curriculum, and research facilities. We have provided a list of the top ten universities in the USA based on the QS rankings, which will guide you to make an informed decision about the institution you want to enrol in.