Explore the 2019 Best National Universities
Learn about the top universities.
A quality education from a top college can open the door to many career opportunities for graduates. The best National Universities -- research institutions that offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs -- include a mix of competitive private and public schools. See photos of the 2019 Best National Universities.
19 (tie). University of California--Los Angeles
Total undergraduate enrollment: 31,002
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $13,280 (in-state); $41,294 (out-of-state)
Regular decision application deadline: Nov. 30
More about the University of California--Los Angeles.
19 (tie). Washington University in St. Louis
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,675
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $53,399
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Washington University in St. Louis.
18. University of Notre Dame (IN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,576
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $53,391
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the University of Notre Dame.
16 (tie). Cornell University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 14,907
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $55,188
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Cornell University.
16 (tie). Rice University (TX)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,001
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $47,350
Regular decision application deadline: Jan.1
More about Rice University.
14 (tie). Brown University (RI)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,988
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $55,656
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Brown University.
14 (tie). Vanderbilt University (TN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,885
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $49,816
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Vanderbilt University.
12 (tie). California Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 961
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $52,362
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about the California Institute of Technology.
12 (tie). Dartmouth College (NH)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,410
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $55,035
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Dartmouth College.
10 (tie). Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,109
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $53,740
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Johns Hopkins University.
10 (tie). Northwestern University (IL)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,278
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $54,567
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Northwestern University.
8 (tie). Duke University (NC)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,692
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $55,960
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about Duke University.
8 (tie). University of Pennsylvania
Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,033
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $55,584
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 5
More about the University of Pennsylvania.
7. Stanford University (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,062
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $51,354
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Stanford University.
3 (tie). Columbia University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,162
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $59,430
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Columbia University.
3 (tie). Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,547
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $51,832
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
3 (tie). University of Chicago
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,264
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $57,006
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the University of Chicago.
3 (tie). Yale University (CT)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,746
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $53,430
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Yale University.
2. Harvard University (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,766
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $50,420
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Harvard University.
1. Princeton University (NJ)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,394
2018-2019 tuition and fees: $47,140
Regular decision application deadline: Jan.1
More about Princeton University.
Learn more about the Best Colleges rankings.
Explore the complete 2019 Best Colleges rankings to view other exclusive lists, such as A-plus Schools for B Students and Best Value Schools. Sign up for our newsletter for tips on applying to college. And connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter to share your thoughts on the rankings with the #BestColleges hashtag.
Briana Boyington is a senior digital producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at bboyington@usnews.com.
