25 Best Universities In United States For International Students 2025

If you are looking to study in United States, you are surely making a great choice. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 1500 universities and colleges in United States, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 1500 universities in United States, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the top-performing schools in United States. This list covers both public and private institutions in United States.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in United States. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in United States.

How do I get admission to the best universities in United States?

Applying to the universities in United States involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in United States to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in United States?

Tuition fees at United States’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 USD to 97,000 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 USD to 90,900 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in United States!

As we cover the best universities in United States for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in United States for International Students

Being one of the most prestigious universities in the entire world, Harvard University is one of the few Ivy League universities that are located in the United States. Due to its high academic standards with a rigorous curriculum, this institution has been famed all over the world, and many students, both domestic and international, are trying their best to get into this ideal university. In addition to its academic expertise, Harvard continued to be one of the top-tier research universities, which even rivals MIT, Columbia University, and Stanford University.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a leading educational institution in the world. They are highly recognized for their comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, which have produced the best researchers, engineers, and scientists around the globe. They have an acceptance rate of 7%, indicating that they are very selective.

Stanford University belongs to the cream of the crop of universities worldwide, ranking no less 3rd place in most assessments. This private institution in California was established in 1885, and 100+ years later, it developed a quality education that other institutions deem standard. Thousands of students enter its large campus and choose from hundreds of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Also known for short as UC Berkeley, this institution is a public research university that is located in Berkeley, California. Being one of the first institutions established in the state of California, UC Berkeley contains 14 different academic departments that offer nearly 400 academic programs to its prospective students. Rivaling even the world-tier universities, this institution is best known for its courses in natural sciences, computer sciences, and entrepreneurship.

Columbia University is one of the world’s top-ranking institutions. It comprises several schools and colleges, each with specialty programs that offer prestigious training and education. Such excellence may be due, in part, to its extensive history that dates back to 1754, which establishes it as one of the USA’s oldest academic institutions. Besides its Morningside Heights, where most programs are held, the university also has locations known as the Irving Medical Center, Manhattanville Campus, Baker Athletics Complex, and Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

The University of Pennsylvania is the fourth-oldest educational institution in the United States. Founded in 1740 by none other than Benjamin Franklin, this prestigious university boasts of nurturing minds to make an impact in society. The University of Pennsylvania is among the renowned Ivy League schools and offers around 400 undergraduate and graduate programs to a diverse student body.

Yale University is one of the most recognizable names in academia. For over 300 years, the university has upheld the highest standards of teaching and research and has established itself as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. As such, Yale’s admissions for all study levels are considered to be highly selective. It is best known for its programs in the arts, but programs in social science and computer science are seeing an increase in popularity as well.

Cornell University is an Ivy League institution; that alone reflects the high-level quality education it provides for its students. No less is expected of a university that ranks 22nd in most institution rankings. It offers several programs through its main campus in Ithaca and branches in New York City and Qatar. Some of these programs are provided by state-supported colleges within Cornell.

Princeton University is known as one of the top-leading universities in the world. It was established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and became the fourth older higher education institution in the United States. As one of the Ivy League universities in the country, Princeton University offers first-class academic instruction and professional training in multiple disciplines, including humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering. The institution is also known for its elite sports team, the Princeton Tigers, which have won many national and Olympic competitions. On top of that, the university also houses many modern and world-class research facilities and training centers.

Located in the illustrious City of Angels is the University of California, Los Angeles. Diversity, a passion for creation, and applied knowledge defines this grand university. Offering over 300 programs, the University of California, Los Angeles is among the world’s best institutions for engineering, arts, medicine, and the sciences.

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is the United States’ first research university. Since then, it has maintained its tradition of excellence by making discoveries, pursuing knowledge, innovating solutions, and encouraging curiosity. JHU is renowned worldwide for its prestigious education, which places it among the top 25 universities worldwide.

Heralded as the oldest university in the state is the University of Michigan. Founded in 1817, the University of Michigan has its central campus at An Arbor, with branch campuses in Dearborn and Flint. It offers over 250 degree programs across various disciplines in art, engineering, applied sciences, and social sciences. The University of Michigan takes pride in its reputation in research and academic performance, earning a seat among the top public universities around the world.

​The University of Chicago is among the top-performing private research university in the United States. It was established in 1890 to provide rigorous higher education and train students to engage in a broad range of activities and inquiries. The university is known to have one of the most advanced and innovative research efforts in the United States having a breakthrough in nuclear reaction and radiocarbon research. Moreover, it’s also home to the country’s largest university press-the University of Chicago Press.

Established in 1831, New York University (NYU) is one of the most influential institutions in the world. NYU ticks all the boxes when it comes to academic excellence. This prestigious university welcomes elite students from across the globe, training and educating them to become world-class leaders and experts. In addition, it is one of the select universities that has admitted a multitude of international students.

Adding to the colorful history of the West Coast is the University of Washington. One of the oldest and most prominent universities in the area, the University of Washington caters to students across its three campuses: Seattle (main campus), Bothell, and Tacoma. On top of its reputation for innovative research, it also boasts a strong connection with the tech industry, frequently collaborating with brands and housing tech startups.

The California Institute of Technology is one of the schools in the United States that specializes in pure and applied sciences. It was founded as a vocational school but developed into a distinguished and highly selective institution through the efforts of researchers, scientists, and engineers that make up the faculty. Today, students and scientists of CalTech continue to contribute to important projects around the globe, including research in quantum physics and robotics.

Northwestern University was founded in 1851 in Evanston, Illinois with the intention of making education accessible to the people from the northwest. The university now has over 21,000 students enrolled in its three campuses, 5,500 of which come from different countries across the globe. International mobility is one of the key focus areas at the university, which is why it actively participates in exchange programs, collaborative research, and other international engagement activities.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign maintains its history of excellence by being one of the premier public research universities in the United States. It is an independent institution that focuses on the study of human and social sciences, arts, humanities, and social sciences. It welcomes more than 50,000 students from all around the world.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is among the campuses of the prestigious University of California system. It is known to be one of the best institutions for research worldwide. Aside from being famous for its outstanding medical and engineering programs, UCSD is also widely recognized for its vibrant arts and sports events.

Founded in 1924 in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is among the top-ranked universities in America and the world. The university offers 52 majors and allows undergraduate students to combine different disciplines to encourage them to explore their interests. It also aims to facilitate an environment that embraces diversity and provides equal opportunities to all, regardless of race, gender, and background.

A top-performing university, The University of Texas at Austin was established in 1883, as a public institution in the United States. They have 18 colleges and more than 51,000 students are currently enrolled. As they move forward with quality education, they continue to create more learning and research opportunities for all.

The research-intensive University of Maryland serves as the state’s flagship institution. It is also the largest university in Maryland and a member of the “Public Ivy” institutions. The school was founded in 1807 and had a long history of producing prominent alumni, faculty, and researchers. It is home to many notable alumni, including writers, business leaders, former professional athletes, politicians, and media figures.

Boston University was established over 180 years ago and has long been considered one of the top universities in the United States and the world. It offers more than 300 study programs in a wide range of disciplines which are taught by notable experts in their respective academic fields. Boston University is also known for conducting innovative research and is an active member of a prominent research organization called the Association of American Universities. 

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading institution for medical education and training in the United States. UCSF is also part of the University of California system and is, therefore, an excellent research center – especially in the medical and biological sciences. However, unlike the other campuses in the system, UCSF offers only graduate programs.

The University of Southern California (USC) is a premier private research university that was established in 1880 in Los Angeles. It’s known as the oldest private higher education institution in California. Ranking as one of the top-most performing universities in the country, USC offers one of the best high-quality instruction and professional training in various fields ranging from liberal arts, business, and finance, to engineering and medicine. The university is globally recognized for introducing the Domain Name System and other innovations such as DNA computing, antivirus software, dynamic programming, and others.