Best Colleges in the Northeast (2023 Rankings)

When explorers first arrived in North America in the 16th and 17th centuries, many of them settled in what is now the northeastern United States. During these days, they established several colleges and universities that still exist today. These colleges remain some of the oldest - and most prestigious - liberal arts colleges in the entire country. 

In this article, we'll take you on a virtual tour of some of the best colleges and universities in the northeastern United States (in no particular order). We'll travel throughout New England to learn more about schools in states such as Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. We think you'll find several options on this list that are worth looking into and learning more about.

Harvard University

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Acceptance rate: 5%

Undergraduate enrollment: 8,527

Average tuition: $54,002

Six-year graduation rate: 98%  

Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

Harvard University first opened its doors in 1636 and remains one of the top universities in the nation. The Ivy League research university is home to world-class faculty and tremendous research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Students have a chance to participate in a vibrant on-campus student body while partnering in extensive research and investigations. 

Yale University

Location: New Haven, Connecticut 

Acceptance rate: 7% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,703 

Average tuition: $57,700

Six-year graduation rate: 96% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

Yale University was founded in 1701 and has been working hard to expand knowledge and inspire innovation in the state of Connecticut and beyond. Yale is home to an excellent management program, and many students also pursue degrees in law, public health, and engineering.

Yale's commencement occurs on Old Campus yearly and is one of the school's most celebrated traditions. Class Day takes place on the Sunday before, and many students receive awards for their academic, artistic, and athletic contributions during their time at Yale. 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Acceptance rate: 7% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,361 

Average tuition: $53,450 

Six-year graduation rate: 96% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) inspires students through education, research, and innovation to launch new industries and invent new technologies. Their overall mission is to serve the entire nation and world through their teaching and research. While the school specializes in programs such as engineering and science, they also have a top-notch business school.

MIT's culture is unique among many of the top colleges in the Northeast. The school is academically prestigious, but students and faculty maintain a lighthearted sense of humor on campus. Don't be surprised if you experience "hacking" a time or two while you're on campus.

Princeton University

Location: Princeton, New Jersey 

Acceptance rate: 6% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,774 

Average tuition: $48,502 

Six-year graduation rate: 98% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1

Princeton University was originally called the College of New Jersey when it opened in 1746. In 1896, its name was changed when it officially achieved college and university status. The college opened its graduate school in 1900 and became fully co-ed in 1969. Its unofficial motto is "In the Nation's Service and the Service of Humanity," and this mantra drives the university's efforts to serve communities across the country and the world. 

Princeton's New Jersey campus spans 9.5 million square feet, 690 acres, and 200 buildings. Six in 10 students receive some form of financial aid and around 83% ultimately graduate debt-free. The school employs nearly 1,300 faculty members, 77% of whom are tenured. 

University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Acceptance rate: 9% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 11,155 

Average tuition: $60,042

Six-year graduation rate: 96%

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 as a house of worship that doubled as a charity school. Benjamin Franklin served as the school's president from 1751 to 1755 and continued working as a trustee until his death in 1790. The school is home to 190 research centers spanning 299 acres at its West Pennsylvania campus, many of which still bear Franklin's influence. 

Penn students can pursue 100 different majors from four unique schools. Many also engage across disciplines, finding new and exciting opportunities for research and scholarship. Students are able to earn dual degrees while still graduating in four years and enjoying a well-rounded life outside the classroom. 

Brown University

Location: Providence, Rhode Island 

Acceptance rate: 8% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 6,792 

Average tuition: $60,696 

Six-year graduation rate: 95% 

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

Brown University is a nonprofit research university that values its sense of purpose and student-centered learning. Brown has existed for over 250 years and continues to drive educational innovation and intellectual curiosity. Brown students participate in exciting research endeavors such as planning the next Mars landing site, researching the locations of ancient civilizations, and consulting with world leaders on high-level political matters. 

Brown offers an Open Curriculum where students can drive their own academic experience in collaboration with other world-class scholars. You can explore theoretical physics with a Nobel Prize winner or contribute to medical devices that will prevent strokes during cardiac surgery. No matter what field you choose to pursue, you'll do so while surrounded by fellow creators, leaders, and doers.

Dartmouth College

Location: Hanover, New Hampshire 

Acceptance rate: 9% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 4,170 

Average tuition: $60,117 

Six-year graduation rate: 95%  

Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

Dartmouth College was founded in 1769 by Reverend Eleazar Wheelock. The school was the only university that was able to continue operations through the American Revolution without interruption. For generations, Dartmouth has equipped students for future contributions in their field and with the tools necessary to succeed in every area of life. 

Recently, Dartmouth re-embraced its original founding mission to serve Native American students. This was the original purpose of the school's creation. Today, the student body includes more than 200 indigenous students from 70 different tribes and communities, and the school has over 1,200 Native American alumni.

Columbia University

Location: New York City, New York 

Acceptance rate: 7% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 8,148 

Average tuition: $61,671 

Six-year graduation rate: 96%  

Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1

Located in the heart of New York City, Columbia University provides students with a unique and diverse opportunity for education and research. The school first opened in 1754 upon a charter by King George II of England. The university is the oldest in the state of New York and the fifth oldest in the entire country. 

Columbia attracts well-qualified faculty and staff from around the world who are highly equipped to support research and teaching initiatives based on pressing global issues. These staff members build strong academic relationships with colleagues from around the country and world, enhancing the knowledge and experience they are able to pass on to their students. 

Williams College

Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts 

Acceptance rate: 15% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,962 

Average tuition: $50,450 

Six-year graduation rate: 96%  

Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

Williams College boasts small classes and attentive faculty that truly care about mentoring students and making a difference in their lives. You'll follow in the footsteps of accomplished scientists and high-level scholars in whichever of the school's 65 areas of study you choose to pursue. The school also admits students regardless of their ability to pay, and works hard to meet 100% of their students' demonstrated need for financial aid each semester. 

Amherst College

Location: Amherst, Massachusetts 

Acceptance rate: 12% 

Undergraduate enrollment: 1,745 

Average tuition: $60,890 

Six-year graduation rate: 95%  

Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1

Amherst College exists to make a difference in the world. Their unique open curriculum program enables students to choose whichever of their 850 courses matter most to them. 

Amherst attracts students from 70 different countries, including several countries that have a reputation for being underrepresented in colleges and universities. The school recently celebrated its 200th birthday and  remains committed to continuing with the same spirit of curiosity and critical thinking that marked its first 200 years of existence. 

Honorable mentions

With so many excellent schools in the Northeast, it's hard to narrow a list down to just ten schools. If you want to do some extra research, we'd recommend taking a look at these schools as well.

• Cornell University (Ithaca, New York) 
• Tufts University (Boston, Massachusetts) 
• Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts) 
• Middlebury College (Middlebury, Vermont) 
• University of Maryland (College Park, Maryland) 
• Worcester State University (Worcester, Massachusetts)
• Haverford College (Haverford, Pennsylvania)

Navigating your path to the perfect Northeast college with College Rover

With so many excellent options, choosing a school in the Northeast can feel like a daunting task. After you identify a few choices that you're interested in learning more about, consider visiting the school in person to get a feel for what it's like to be on campus. This will also give you a great opportunity to ask questions and connect with faculty and current students. 

In addition, College Rover can help you make decisions about your future and narrow down your choices for higher education. Our impressive online database contains a wide range of information about schools and degree programs. We know how challenging it can be to find the right school, and we want to make the process a little easier and a lot more fun. 

College Rover gets the majority of its data directly from the U.S. Department of Education (DOE). The DOE publishing schedule "lags" the most current data which some colleges post on their official websites. This may cause there to be a difference in the data you see on College Rover and an individual college website. College Rover's website is updated as the DOE data becomes available and is configured for the College Rover website.