15 Best Universities in USA 2024-25: Rankings, Acceptance Rate

The best universities in the USA for international students are also among the top-ranking universities in the world. The USA is a dynamo of academic excellence. Public universities in the USA, affordable universities in the USA or are you looking for 1-year master’s programs in the USA for international students? Your dream path can be any, but the starting point must be the USA, as it is the hotspot with the most renowned universities on American soil. The Great American Dream starts with an ambition to study in the USA and build a dream career. Colleges in the USA for international students are the first choice globally as they provide an opportunity to grow and flourish in a holistic environment. The best part is that the colleges provide online courses in the USA for international students. Below are the 15 best universities in the USA for international students:

15 Best Universities In The USA

The USA has one of the best education systems in the world. The best universities in the USA prove it right in all its capacity. Best and beautiful campuses, prolific study-life balance, opportunities to grow and learn in a diverse community and a career you can be proud of make studying in the USA a dream come true. The USA is home to top colleges like Harvard and Stanford. Also, with the fees, you may also check out various scholarship options offered by the best universities in the USA. Herewith, we are introducing you to some of the top-notch choices you may explore with all the information you need:

1. Arizona State University, London

Fees: $ 34,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 216th

US Ranking: 27th

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine

Tests Required: SAT: 1120+, GMAT: 650+, GPA: 3+, IELTS: 6+, TOEFL: 80+
Notable Alumni: Jimmy Kimmel

Arizona State University, one of the best universities in the USA, challenges myths about America through innovative education. It stands out among universities in the USA, debunking stereotypes and shaping a dynamic learning environment in the diverse landscape of American colleges. The university offers 450+ programs, including 200 online courses in the USA for international students.

2. Stanford University, Stanford

Fees: $ 80,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 5th

US Ranking: 3rd

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management

Tests Required: SAT: 1420+, GMAT: 600+, GRE: 307+, GPA: 3.72+, IELTS: 6+, TOEFL: 101+

Notable Alumni: Elon Musk

Stanford University, among the best universities in the USA, defies myths about America by epitomizing academic excellence. Nestled in Silicon Valley, it stands as a beacon among universities in the USA, reshaping the landscape of colleges with innovation and intellectual prowess. The 8000+ acre campus enrolls 16,000+ students annually.

3.  Harvard University, Cambridge

Fees: $ 78,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 4th

US Ranking: 2nd

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management

Tests Required: SAT: 1470+, GMAT: 610+, GRE: 298+, GPA: 3+, TOEFL: 80+

Notable Alumni: Bill Gates

Harvard University, situated in Cambridge, is globally recognized as one of the best universities in the USA. Renowned for academic excellence, it stands among the top-tier universities and colleges in the USA, offering diverse programs across various disciplines. The campus houses 2,000+ students annually and has the largest library system in the world.

4. University of Chicago, Chicago

Fees: $ 78,700 per year

QS World Ranking: 11th

US Ranking: 12th

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management

Tests Required: SAT: 1020+, GMAT: 610+, GRE: 320+, GPA: 2.7+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 104+

Notable Alumni: Susan Sontag

Chicago University is one of the top business schools in the US. The campus of one of the best universities in the USA and the world hosts 17,000+ students annually. Also, if you are especially looking for the best universities in the USA for international students in Engineering, you may check out our blog on 15 Best Engineering Schools in the US for a specially curated list.

5. New York University, New York City

Fees: $ 84,129 per year

QS World Ranking: 11th

US Ranking: 35th

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1290+, GMAT: 660+, GPA: 3+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: Lady Gaga

New York University was founded in 1940 and is one of the best universities in the USA for international students. The university has the best MBA programs in the US. Also, diverting a little here as the Spring Intakes in USA have already begun. The deadline for intakes in USA 2023-2024 is November. The academic Interstellar has been recognized as the best place for international students to study in the USA.

6. Yale University, New Haven

Fees: $ 82,170 per year

QS World Ranking: 16th

US Ranking: 5th

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1450+, GMAT: 690+, GRE: 317+, GPA: 3+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: George W. Bush

Yale University, nestled in New Haven, stands among the best universities in the USA. Beyond academic excellence, the 300+ years old university is world renowned for its top-ranking courses and diversity among the best universities in the USA. It dispels myths about America’s higher education, symbolizing the rich legacy and diversity of top-tier colleges in the USA.

7. Duke State University, Durham

Fees: $ 62,600 per year

QS World Ranking: 57th

US Ranking: 7th

Top Courses: Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1490+, GMAT: 690+, GRE: 301+, GPA: 3+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 9

Notable Alumni: Tim Cook

Duke University is one of the wealthiest universities in the UK and also among the best universities in the USA for international students. The university was founded in 1838; Duke University accepts 15,000+ students each year. The most beautiful campus in the USA, dotted with Gothic architecture that’s breathtaking, hosts 15,000+ students annually.

8. Northeastern State University, Boston

Fees: $ 62,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 601-650

US Ranking: 86th

Top Courses: Experimental Psychology, Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1400+, GMAT: 627+, GRE: 301+, GPA: 3+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: Dean Tong

The prestigious Northeastern University has turned around as one of the best universities in the USA for international students. The university is world-renowned for its Experimental Psychology, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and MBA, among others. To know more about this University, check our guide on Northeastern University: Best Courses, Rankings, Fees.

9. New Jersey Institute of Technology, New Jersey

Fees: $ 62,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 375th

US Ranking: 53rd

Top Courses: Biomedical, Experimental Psychology, Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1400+, GMAT: 627+, GRE: 301+, GPA: 3+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: Dheeraj Pandey

New Jersey Institute of Technology, a standout among universities in the USA, merges technology and innovation. Dispelling myths about America, it epitomizes excellence in STEM education, contributing to the dynamic landscape of colleges in the USA.

10. Columbia University, New York City

Fees: $ 91,340 per year

QS World Ranking: 23rd

US Ranking: 12th

Top Courses: African-American Studies, Anthropology, Mathematics, Executive MBA, Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences & Medicine, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: GMAT: 530+, GPA: 3.2+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni:

Columbia University was established in the year 1754, making it one of the oldest institutions in American soil. The university is also among the best universities in America for international students. It is also one of the most preferable institutes of higher studies when it comes to the IVY league range. Also, read our detailed blog on Columbia University acceptance rate.

11. John Hopkins University, Baltimore

Fees: $ 66,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 28th

US Ranking: 9th

Top Courses: African-American Studies, Anthropology, Mathematics, Executive MBA, Arts & Humanities, Business & Management, Accounting, Social Sciences & Management, Environmental Biology, Neural Science

Tests Required: SAT: 1520+, GPA: 3+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni:

John Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, was founded in 1876. It has an acceptance rate of 8% and is one of the best universities in the USA. The institution enrolls 24,000+ students each year and has 27 Nobel laureates in its alumni list.

12. University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Fees: $ 54,700 per year

QS World Ranking: 13th

US Ranking: 6th

Top Courses: MBA, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences

Tests Required: SAT: 1560+, ACT: 35+. GPA: 3.9+

Notable Alumni: Barack Obama

The University of Pennsylvania, among the best universities in the USA, debunks myths about America’s education. As a prestigious Ivy League institution, it exemplifies the academic prowess, 14,000+ students enrolled each year, and cultural diversity within universities and colleges in the USA.

13. Brown University, Providence

Fees: $ 63,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 13th

US Ranking: 73rd

Top Courses: MBA, Business and management, Accounting, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences and Medicine

Tests Required: SAT: 1488+, GRE: 330+, IELTS: 8+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: Emma Watson

Brown University in Providence, renowned among the best universities in the USA, offers a broad spectrum of programs and courses. From humanities to advanced sciences, its curriculum reflects the academic richness characteristic of top-tier universities and colleges in the USA.

14. Cornell University, Ithaca

Fees: $ 64,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 13th

US Ranking: 9th

Top Courses: MBA, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences and Medicine

Tests Required: SAT: 1390+, GMAT: 650+, IELTS: 7+, TOEFL: 100+

Notable Alumni: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Cornell is more than 158 years old, with an annual student enrollment of 25,000+ students. The acceptance rate of 9% makes the competition higher for students looking for the best universities in the USA. It is also among the top undergraduate business schools in the world, with 34% enrollment in professional courses.

15. University of Florida, Gainesville

Fees: $ 64,000 per year

QS World Ranking: 168th

US Ranking: 28th

Top Courses: MBA, Business & Management, Accounting, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences and Medicine

Tests Required: SAT: 1360+, GMAT: 465+, IELTS: 6+, TOEFL: 80+

Notable Alumni: Faye Dunaway

Ranked among the top US universities, the University of Florida in Gainesville offers diverse programs, attracting over 50,000 students annually. As the 5th largest American university, it excels in public education, research, and a broad academic spectrum, from sciences to business.

We want to provide you with everything in this one blog, but we are wrapping it up in the limited time you have amidst this crucial time. The best universities in the USA for international students must be your first choice. However, there is no dearth of the best colleges in the USA for international students. Since you are thinking of moving to the USA, here are the best places to live in the USA. You can also check out our other blog to learn about the 12 countries with free education for international students.