Schools in the National Universities category, such as Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania, offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.

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Dartmouth College in the winter.
Tuition and fees: $49,506 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 4,289
Setting: rural
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Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College, a private institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, uses quarters, not semesters, to divide the school year. Among more than 300 student organizations at Dartmouth is the Outing Club, the nation's oldest and largest collegiate club of its kind, which offers outdoor activities, expeditions, gear rentals and courses.

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Northwestern University's Evanston campus.
Tuition and fees: $49,047 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 8,405
Setting: suburban
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Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University is a private school in Evanston, Ill., about 30 minutes outside of Chicago. Undergraduate students have more than 70 options for majors or can design their own non-traditional degree program.

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An autumn morning view of Brown University and the City of Providence from the top of the Sciences Library.
Tuition and fees: $49,346 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 6,548
Setting: city
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Brown University
Providence, RI

At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 70 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, R.I. is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.

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Central campus, with the iconic McGraw clock tower in the background.
Tuition and fees: $49,116 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 14,453
Setting: rural
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Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University, a private school in Ithaca, New York, has 14 colleges and schools. Each admits its own students, though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. The university has more than 1,000 student organizations on campus.

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With its bronze bell that tolls the hour, Kirkland Hall – built in 1875 – is Vanderbilt University’s signature building.
Tuition and fees: $43,838 (2014-15)
Enrollment: 6,851
Setting: urban
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Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a private institution in Nashville, Tenn. with four undergraduate colleges: the College of Arts and Science, the School of Engineering, Peabody College, and the Blair School of Music. More than 40 percent of Vanderbilt students participate in Greek life.

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Washington University enjoys the best of both worlds: a suburban campus near a major urban center. Pictured: the iconic Brookings Hall.
Tuition and fees: $48,093 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 7,401
Setting: suburban
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Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO

Students can study architecture, art, arts and sciences, business, and engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, a private research institution in Missouri. Outside of class, about a quarter of the student body is involved in Greek life.

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Rice is located on nearly 300 acres and is adjacent to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical facility in the world
Tuition and fees: $42,253 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 3,926
Setting: urban
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Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is located in the heart of the Museum District in Houston, TX. The private institution has a need-blind admissions policy and meets the full demonstrated need of any accepted student who requires help paying tuition.

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Main Building
Tuition and fees: $47,929 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 8,448
Setting: city
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University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN

The University of Notre Dame is a private, independent, Catholic institution in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame’s athletic teams, known as the Fighting Irish, play in the NCAA Division I and are particularly competitive on the football field.

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UC Berkeley campus landmark, Sather Tower
In-state tuition and fees: $13,432 (2015-16)
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $38,140 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 27,126
Setting: city
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University of California--Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The University of California—Berkeley overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Students at this public school have more than 700 organizations to get involved in, including more than 55 fraternity and sorority chapters.

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Emory undergraduates have the resources of the University—including its seven graduate and professional schools—and Atlanta at close reach.
Tuition and fees: $46,314 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 7,829
Setting: city
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Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Students can begin their education at the school's main location in a suburb of Atlanta, known as Emory College, or at Oxford College, a smaller campus about 40 miles away. This private institution offers about 70 majors in the arts and sciences, as well as degrees in business administration and nursing.

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Georgetown University's Main Campus
Tuition and fees: $48,611 (2015-16)
Enrollment: 7,595
Setting: urban
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Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic university in the country. The school's location in Washington, D.C. gives students many opportunities for internships throughout the nation's capital.

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