The Best College In Every State

One of the biggest questions students and their families must consider when selecting a college is, 'How close or far from home should it be?' According to the annual American Freshman: National Norms survey, 57% of students choose schools 100 miles or less from their childhood bedroom. About three-quarters of U.S. college kids attend in-state schools. 

Since almost everyone is concerned with rising college education costs, it's worth pointing out that it is far less pricey to choose a campus nearby. The savings come mostly in the form of in-state tuition at public colleges (an average $9,140 per year vs $23,000 for out-of-state public schools and $32,230 for private) and travel expenses such as gas, airfare and more. For many, there's also a high emotional toll of homesickness when you're far from a familiar corner of the country.

Read on to explore the best colleges and universities nearest you in this state-by-state roll call, all based on the FORBES America's Top Colleges 2015 ranking. (Overall school rank is noted below.)

Alabama: Auburn University

Located about four hours from the Florida coastline, Auburn University (Top College No. 218) was originally founded in 1856 as an all-male college but has transformed into a co-educational, public research institution. The university offers over 140 formal majors housed in 12 colleges. Students can choose to participate in over 300 clubs and organizations. Greek life is big on campus, with 17 sororities and 28 fraternities. Known for their friendliness, students annually dedicate an entire day called “Hey Day” to saying “hey” to each other. The NCAA Division I-A Auburn Tigers have earned national recognition, winning the 2013 Southeastern Conference football championship, eight men’s swimming and diving championships and five women’s swimming and diving championships.

Alaska: University Of Alaska, Fairbanks

Located just 200 miles south of the Arctic Circle, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (Top College No. 414) was established in 1917 as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. The public research institution has eight colleges and schools that offer 177 degrees and certificates in 117 disciplines. Some of the most popular majors include biological sciences, mechanical engineering and business administration. UAF is Alaska's primary research university and conducts more than 90% of the research in the University of Alaska system. The athletic teams are known as the Nanooks. The Division I rifle team has won 10 NCAA National Rifle Championships since 1994.

Arizona: University of Arizona

Located in Tucson, the University of Arizona (Top College No. 200) is a public research school founded in 1885 that emphasizes giving students real-world experience in their area of study to better prepare them for the workforce. The university has well-regarded programs in the physical sciences and health. Last fall, UA became the first school in the U.S. to offer an undergraduate degree in law. It is home to the world’s largest institution devoted to documenting the history of modern North American photography. The UA campus is one of the greenest spaces in the state of Arizona with its own arboretum and biosphere. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics and the school mascot is the Wildcat.

Arkansas: Hendrix College

Hendrix College ((Top College No. 137) is a tiny private school located in Conway, AR, some 30 minutes from Little Rock. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Hendrix’s motto, “Unto the whole person,” reveals its dedication to the liberal arts ideal. Students are offered 34 majors and 37 minors. A full 100% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $24,195. Hendrix is known for its Odyssey Project, a mandatory part of the curriculum in which students take specialized courses and participate in school-approved activities and projects. The college has no fraternities or sororities. The campus is home to three buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hendrix Warriors have 21 varsity teams which compete at the NCAA Division III level.

California: Pomona College

The No. 1 U.S. Top College in 2015, Pomona College is a private liberal arts college in Claremont, CA, offering 47 majors and 600 classes. Established in 1887, it is the founding member of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of neighboring schools. Students can choose from over 2,000 classes offered through the consortium; around 80% of students have taken a class at another Claremont school. Fifty-seven percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging almost $40,000. Nearly all students live on campus. There are more than 220 student organizations, and Pomona teams up with Pitzer College for its intercollegiate sports programs. One popular tradition is Ski-Beach Day, when students spend a morning skiing in the San Gabriel Mountains and an afternoon lounging at a nearby beach.

Colorado: United States Air Force Academy

Established in 1954, the U.S. Air Force Academy (Top College No. 38 is a coeducational public liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, CO, where students graduate as second lieutenants in the Air Force. It is the only accredited undergraduate institution with satellites in orbit: the student-built FalconSAT-3 and the FalconSAT-5. The school is the youngest of the five U.S. service academies and the campus is a national historical landmark. The school offers academic divisions in social sciences, engineering, interdisciplinary majors and more. Its impressive alumni base includes 38 Rhodes Scholars and 39 astronauts. The Air Force Falcons compete in NCAA Division I sports, with 17 men’s and 10 women’s teams.

Connecticut: Yale University

Granted its charter in 1701, Yale University (Top College No. 5) is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the country. The 1,153-acre campus in New Haven, CT, is home to 440 buildings and four museums. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 2,000 courses and 81 majors. The most popular majors are economics, political science, history and psychology. The library is one of the largest in the country and houses more than 15 million volumes. Yale boasts an endowment of $19.3 billion. Fifty-one percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging nearly $43,000. Five U.S. presidents graduated from Yale: William Howard Taft (1878), Gerald Ford ('41, Law), George H.W. Bush ('48), George W. Bush ('68), Bill Clinton ('73, Law).

Delaware: University of Delaware

The University of Delaware (Top College No. 142) in Newark ranks as the No. 29 public university. Established in 1743, it is one of the oldest universities in the U.S. – three of its first 10 students went on to sign the Declaration of Independence. The University of Delaware offers 140 bachelor’s, 136 master’s and 61 doctoral programs. In 1923, the university became the first in the U.S. to start a study abroad program, and it’s still going strong by offering travel to nearly 50 countries. The school has a 146-foot coastal research vessel that participates in ocean exploration and a high-performance figure skating center that world-class athletes use for training. The sports teams compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

D.C.: Georgetown University

Georgetown University (Top College No. 23) s the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. The main campus occupies 54 buildings across 104 acres on a rise above the Potomac River. Georgetown offers 180 programs in four undergraduate schools, three graduate and professional schools and several specialized institutes. About 42% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging about $34,000. Center stage to domestic and international policy, it graduates many distinguished government officials, including former President Bill Clinton. Georgetown is home to the nation’s oldest and largest student-run financial institution, Georgetown University Alumni & Student Federal Credit Union, and oldest student theater group, The Mast & Bauble Dramatic Society. The Hoyas are NCAA Division I athletes and share the Verizon Center with the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL's Washington Capitals.

Florida: University of Florida

Ranked as the No. 14 public school in the nation, the University of Florida (Top College No. 83) is a research university founded in 1853 and located in Gainesville, FL. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and nearly 200 graduate programs. It is home to 16 academic colleges and has over 200 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes. It is also a well-regarded biotech business incubator and is one of the leading U.S. universities in winning patents for research. Over30% of freshman receive institutional aid averaging $4,200. The “Gators” compete in NCAA Division I athletics and have won 33 NCAA titles. Notable alumni include nine former Florida governors, two Nobel Prize laureates, eight astronauts and eight former U.S. ambassadors.

Georgia: Emory University

Founded in 1836 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Emory University (Top College No. 79) now has four undergraduate schools and seven graduate schools based on a 630-acre campus of woods and rolling hills in Atlanta, GA. Today the university offers over 70 majors, 50 minors and over 40 doctoral programs. Forty-five percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $28,400. To fulfill the university’s general education requirements, students must take classes in writing, quantitative methods, a second language and physical education. The majority of the EU student body comes from outside Georgia, with students hailing from all 50 states and over 100 countries. Emory also does an exchange program with University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Emory University competes at the NCAA Division III level.

Hawaii: University of Hawaii, Manoa

The University of Hawaii’s flagship campus, Manoa (Top College No. 430) , was founded in 1907 in the Manoa Valley, just outside of Honolulu. The school offers more than 240 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, professional and doctoral levels through its 19 colleges and schools. Oceanography, astronomy, international business, marine biology and Pacific Islands and Asian studies are the most popular majors. The school has one of the best records in the nation for educating minority students at the graduate level, and 66% of its students come from Hawaii. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics and is a member of both the Mountain West Conference in football and the Big West Conference in other sports.

Idaho: College of Idaho

Located in a part of the nation where big sports colleges dominate, the College of Idaho (Top College No. 195) stands out as a bastion of small classroom liberal arts learning. In order to ensure a well-rounded education C-of-I has developed the “PEAK” curriculum, requiring one major and three minors, or “academic peaks” over four years. There are 26 majors and 55 minors, ranging from biology and creative writing to business and theatre. Nearly 100% of freshmen receive tuition grants averaging about $14,000. The campus is located 30 minutes from Boise and an hour or so from Bogus Basin ski mountain, so it’s no surprise that the “Yotes” (for Coyotes) are well regarded in sports like skiing and snowboarding. The school competes in NAIA Division II athletics.

Illinois: Northwestern University

Northwestern University (Top College No. 16) is a private research university located in Evanston, IL, with campuses in Chicago and Qatar. Renowned for its law, medicine, business communication, journalism, engineering and art programs, Northwestern offers roughly 190 majors at six prominent undergraduate schools. The university has an annual budget of over $2 billion, plus nearly $600 million for sponsored research. About 54% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging about $32,000. Northwestern operates on a quarter system, and students have finals three times a year. Prominent alumni include comedian Stephen Colbert and SpaceX PCOO Gwynne Shotwell. The Northwestern Wildcats’ 19 sports teams play in NCAA Division I as part of the Big 10 conference.

Indiana: University of Notre Dame

Located in the U.S. heartland in South Bend, IN, Notre Dame (Top College No. 13) is a Catholic research institution. The university is internationally recognized for both its first-class graduation rates (96% of students graduate on time) and its outstanding football history. In academics, students can study in seven schools, including the Mendoza College of Business. Fifty-eight percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging nearly $32,000. Its mosaic of “Touchdown Jesus” on the library offers inspiration to the entire school community. The university has a longstanding relationship with the Peace Corps; over 800 students have entered the Corps since its founding in 1961. Prominent alumni include two Nobel Laureates and former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Iowa: Grinnell College

Grinnell College (Top College No. 65) is a private liberal arts college that was founded in 1846 and is located on 120 acres in Grinnell, IA. The school features an open curriculum, with the only required course being the First Year Tutorial—a special topics seminar focusing on inquiry, critical analysis and writing skills. This approach is aligned with Grinnell’s “self-governance” honor system, under which students are held accountable for their own decisions with little influence from administration. Grinnell meets the “gold standard” for financial aid with its need-blind admissions policy and 100% fulfillment of demonstrated need. The college has produced various notable alumni, including Ian Roberts, founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade, and Robert Noyce, cofounder of Intel. The Grinnell Pioneers participate at the NCAA Division III level.

Kansas: University of Kansas

The University of Kansas (Top College No. 268) is a public research institution in Lawrence, KS, founded in 1865. It offers 371 degree programs across 13 schools. KU has five campuses, spread out across sites in Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita and Salina. Popular majors include special education, city management, healthcare and social welfare. The university also houses the state’s only medical and pharmaceutical schools, and it maintains the only Cancer Center in Kansas. The University of Kansas competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Jayhawks. The basketball team has won several national titles, and its first men’s basketball coach was the inventor of the game, Dr. James Naismith.

Kentucky: Centre College

Centre College (Top College No. 89) is a small, private liberal arts college established by Presbyterian leaders. Located in historic Danville, KY, the college offers self-designed majors as well as dual-degree engineering programs with Columbia University, the University of Kentucky, Vanderbilt University and Washington University in St. Louis. Nearly 85% of Centre students study abroad, and Centre has its own residential programs in France, Mexico and the U.K., among other places. Nearly all incoming freshman receive an average of almost $19,000 in institutional aid. At the school’s annual campus-wide event, RICE Symposium (Research, Internships and Creative Endeavors), students are invited to present their recent academic work. Centre competes in NCAA Division III athletics.

Louisiana: Tulane University

Tulane University (Top College No. 134) was founded in 1834 and is one of New Orleans’ oldest institutions. It is the largest private employer in the New Orleans area and is the region's leading education and research center. The core consists of an interdisciplinary freshman year seminar, two classes in public service, and a capstone course for seniors. Tulane offers 95 study abroad options in 33 countries. Three-quarters of freshmen receive school grants averaging $26,000. There are 24 sororities and fraternities, as well as over 200 clubs to engage students’ interests.Tulane University athletes, or “Green Wave,” compete in NCAA Division I athletics. 

Maine: Bowdoin College

Founded in 1794 on the Maine coast, Bowdoin College (Top College No. 21) is known for its strong academics, athletic programs and white winters. More than half of the junior class goes abroad to over 50 countries. Bowdoin’s curriculum consists of over 40 majors. Students interested in environmental studies learn at the college’s 118-acre coastal studies center on Orr’s Island and 200-acre scientific field station on Kent Island in the Bay of Fundy. About 50% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging about $36,000. Bowdoin competes in NCAA Division III varsity athletics. Sports range from football to Nordic skiing to ultimate Frisbee. Since Greek Life was abolished, Bowdoin students have instead been sorted into eight “college houses” based on their first year residence halls.

Maryland: United States Naval Academy

The United States Naval Academy (Top College No. 27) is a coeducational public liberal arts college that sits on 10 acres of former Fort Severn in Annapolis, MD. In 2015 the school was ranked as the No. 2 public college in the nation. It was established in 1845 and its mission is "To develop Midshipmen morally, mentally and physically." Students must have a congressional or presidential nomination to apply. The campus is a National Historic Landmark and is 33 miles from Washington, D.C. and 30 miles from Baltimore. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Midshipmen and first-year students climb the Herndon Monument as a rite of passage.

Massachusetts: Williams College

Williams College (Top College No. 2) is a highly elite liberal arts school in Williamstown, MA, whose students are known for their academic and athletic prowess. Williams follows a 4-1-4 annual schedule, in which students take four courses during the fall and spring semesters and one course during the winter term. While students can choose from 36 majors, they are required to take three languages and arts, three social sciences and three science and math classes. Around 96% of the student body participates in at least one of the 150 student organizations, and 53% of freshmen receive school grants averaging $40,000. The 32 varsity athletic teams, nicknamed the Ephs, compete at the NCAA Division III level.

Michigan: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

Standing at No. 5 for public schools in the U.S., the University of Michigan (Top College No. 41) is the state’s oldest university. The Ann Arbor campus serves as the main hub to 19 of the university’s 27 schools and colleges. Serving nearly 44,000 students, including over 28,000 undergrads, it has strong programs in business, engineering, law, arts and the social sciences, among others. Almost half (46%) of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging over $12,000. The University of Michigan has 27 varsity teams in NCAA Division I, nicknamed the Wolverines. The football team plays in the Big House, the largest stadium in the western hemisphere. Famous alumni include Google cofounder Larry Page and former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo.

Minnesota: Carleton College

Founded in 1866 on the picturesque river-town of Northfield, Carleton College (Top College No. 30) is Minnesota’s third-oldest college. The private school is intimate in size yet broad in offerings. Operating on a trimester schedule, students can select from 37 majors or opt to design their own. All seniors must complete “Comps,” a personal capstone project that also serves as preparation for graduate work. The school also manages over 60 campus-wide scholarships and fellowships to support independent studies and career exploration. Sixty-three percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging nearly $25,000. In five of the past 12 years, Carleton received the Best Delegation award at the World Model United Nations competition. The school also has several a cappella groups and 19 NCAA III varsity sports teams.

Mississippi: Millsaps College

Millsaps College (Top College No. 274) is a small private institution in Jackson, MS, and it is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It was the first college in Mississippi to establish a Phi Beta Kappa chapter, and it now offers 34 majors. The college also offers three pre-professional programs in pre-law, pre-engineering, and pre-health. Students hail from over 27 states and 24 countries, with more than 40% studying abroad. Emphasizing the liberal arts coupled with business, Millsaps holds lectures each year by figures such as conservationist Jane Goodall and former U.K. prime minister Margaret Thatcher. The heart of the 100-acre campus is the Millsaps Bowl, which hosts events ranging from commencement to intramural sports. Millsaps participates in NCAA’s Division III athletics and the Southern Athletic Association.

Missouri: Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University in St. Louis (Top College No. 63) delivers a prestigious, Midwestern alternative to the East Coast Ivies. A private research university in Missouri with a nationally recognized biology department and a top medical school, it offers over 90 programs in traditional and interdisciplinary fields. Nearly half of freshmen receive grants from the university averaging $29,200 per student. Over 35% of undergraduate students are multicultural and international students. Last year the university committed to more than doubling the amount of undergraduates with Pell Grants to 13% by 2020. The university competes in NCAA Division III athletics and in 1904, the first Olympic Games held in North America occurred on the university’s Francis Field.

Montana: Carroll College

Carroll College (Top College No. 307) is a small, private, Catholic liberal arts college up 4,000 feet in the mountains of Helena, Montana’s capital city. On a campus only minutes away from campgrounds, ski areas, and Canyon Ferry Lake, Carroll’s academics mirror its natural environment. With flagship programs in biology, as well as in civil engineering, nursing, and mathematics, Carroll’s undergrads have discovered more than 10 new species and consistently post an 85% acceptance rate to medical and dental schools. The school’s 1,400 students, about half of which come from out-of-state, are known for their Talking Saints forensics team (Northwest Regional winners for 25 consecutive years) and their Fighting Saints football team (six-time NAIA National champions).

Nebraska: Creighton University

Creighton University (Top College No. 178) was established in 1878 as a private, Jesuit university located in Omaha, NE. At Creighton, students of diverse faiths and backgrounds have the opportunity to choose from nine different schools and colleges, including business and nursing, that offer more than 100 majors. Virtually all freshman receive institutional grants and scholarships discounting tuition costs on average by $18,000. Creighton students logged nearly 1.1 million community service hours in the 2013-2014 academic year. The college’s Center for Service and Justice coordinates many of the volunteer opportunities, which include helping food pantries, seniors and victims of domestic abuse. Creighton’s athletic teams are known as the Bluejays, and they compete in NCAA Division I.

Nevada: University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno (Top College No. 437) hosts the state’s only public medical school and is home to one of the largest earthquake-simulation labs. It also has one of the largest study abroad programs in the nation and offers over 200 online courses a year. Reno’s growing artistic community and the nearby annual counterculture festival, Burning Man, lend the city and school a creative feel. Reno is surrounded by a variety of geographic wonders, including Lake Tahoe, Black Rock Desert and Yosemite National Park. The school is home to over 300 student groups and a wide range of fraternities and sororities. The Wolf Pack varsity teams compete in Division I athletics.

New Hampshire: Dartmouth College

Founded in 1769, Dartmouth College ((Top College No. 14) is part of the Ivy League and is one of the nation’s oldest colleges. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth offers more than 2,100 courses in over 50 concentrations; students are encouraged to customize their majors. About 45% of freshmen receive school grants averaging almost $41,000. Students participate in more than 160 student organizations and over half of the student body studies abroad. The school also offers a year-round study plan allowing students to choose which terms to spend on campus and which to spend working or traveling. Nicknamed the Big Green, Dartmouth’s 35 intercollegiate varsity sports teams compete within Division I, the eight-member Ivy League and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

New Jersey: Princeton University

Chartered in 1746, Princeton University (Top College No. 4) is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in the country. Undergraduates may select from 36 academic departments. Nine current faculty members are Nobel Prize recipients. The university’s generous financial aid program provides grants and campus jobs in place of student loans. Admitted students can defer their enrollment for a year to participate in community service. On-campus housing is guaranteed for all four years for undergraduates. Princetonians can take part in groundbreaking research projects or get involved in one of 300-plus student organizations. The school’s varsity athletic teams, the Tigers, compete in the Ivy League (NCAA Division I). Princeton has produced a large number of luminaries, including U.S. presidents James Madison and Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Michelle Obama.

New Mexico:  Saint John's College

Saint John’s College (Top College No. 302)  is a private liberal arts college with campuses in Santa Fe, NM, and Annapolis, MD, that traces its roots back to King William’s School, a preparatory school founded in 1696. Despite its name, the college has no religious affiliation. The Santa Fe campus was established in 1964, and it is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The school grants only one bachelor’s degree, liberal arts, and is known for its lively class discussions and “Great Books” curriculum. Students enrolled at either campus can transfer to the other for any amount of time. Students must take four years of mathematics, language and interdisciplinary study, as well as laboratory sciences, music and elective discussions. About 80% of freshmen receive school grants averaging $30,000.

New York: United States Military Academy

In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation that established the U.S. Military Academy (Top College No. 11) in West Point, NY. The academy is a public coeducational liberal arts college that requires applicants to have a nomination from a member of Congress in order to be admitted. During the course of their education, students can choose from 36 majors. At the end of their matriculation, they earn a commission into the U.S. Army as second lieutenants. Students are called “cadets” and must adhere to the Cadet Honor Code, which states that “a cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Varsity athletes, called the Black Knights, dress in black, gray and gold and compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

North Carolina: Duke University

Duke University (Top College No. 22) was established in 1924 and is located in Durham, NC. The most popular undergraduate majors are economics, public policy, biomedical engineering, biology and psychology. About 48% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging over $40,000. Duke’s undergraduate programs are housed in four colleges, including the Trinity College of Arts & Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering. More than 50% of Duke students travel internationally during their undergraduate experience. The university also houses the world's largest colony of endangered primates, housing some 200 lemurs, bush babies and lorises, at the Lemur Center. Duke's 26 Blue Devil teams compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

North Dakota: University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota (Top College No. 444) was established in 1883 and is the oldest university in the state. UND offers courses in over 225 fields of study, but it is best known for its School of Aerospace Sciences, which trains pilots and air controllers. It has the biggest fleet of non-military training aircraft in the world. Students built the first college-designed spacesuit to be tested by NASA. There are over 300 study abroad options in locations ranging from Europe to Australia. UND has 21 varsity teams in NCAA Division I, and the men’s hockey team has skated to seven national championships. In 2012 the school dropped its nickname, the Fighting Sioux, and is in search of a replacement.

Ohio: Oberlin College

Founded in 1833, Oberlin College (Top College No. 46) was the first college to adopt a policy to admit African Americans and to grant bachelor’s degrees to women in a coed program. Sitting at No. 6 Midwest region Top College in 2015, the private liberal arts college located in Oberlin, OH, offers 47 majors and 42 minors and concentrations. The Oberlin Conservatory of Music is the oldest continuously operating conservatory in the country. Eighty-three percent freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $21,600. Oberlin Experimental College, or ExCo, gives students the chance to teach their own for-credit courses on interesting topics outside of the traditional curriculum. Students also complete projects of their choosing during “winter term” in January. Members of Oberlin’s 21 varsity teams compete in Division III sports.

Oklahoma: University of Tulsa

Founded in 1894 by the Presbyterian Church, the University of Tulsa (Top College No. 173) now offers over 60 undergraduate programs in four undergraduate colleges. The private university is in charge of the Gilcrease Museum, which is known for its large collection of American Western art. One in 10 students admitted are National Merit Scholars, and TU students have won numerous scholarships and awards, including 59 Goldwater Scholarships, 11 Truman scholarships, 17 Fulbright grants, and two Rhodes scholarships. The motto is “Wisdom, Faith, Service.” Nearly 90% of freshmen receive school aid averaging $20,000. Eighteen varsity sports teams known as the Golden Hurricane compete in Division I of the NCAA.

Oregon: Reed College

Reed College (Top College No. 52) is a private liberal arts college in Portland, OR, known for its highly intellectual—and countercultural—students. Reed emphasizes participation in class discussion over grades. While students can choose from 35 majors across 23 departments, all students are required to take a yearlong humanities course and complete a senior thesis with written and oral exam components. Forty-six percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $36,557. Reed does not offer any varsity athletic teams or Greek life organizations, though students can participate in student groups and intramural and club sports. The college is a leading producer of Ph.D. candidates and prestigious award winners, including 156 National Science Fellows, 89 Fulbright Scholars, 31 Rhodes Scholars and 65 Watson Fellows.

Pennsylvania: Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College (Top College No. 7) is a private liberal arts school in Swarthmore, whose students are known for their academic intensity. Founded in 1864, the college is located just outside Philadelphia. Students can choose from more than 40 courses of study. Swarthmore is a member of the Tri-College Consortium with Bryn Mawr and Haverford. About 49% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging about $36,000. Those looking to get involved outside of the classroom and laboratory can participate more than 100 student clubs and organizations. Around 93% of students live on the 425-acre campus, which is home to the 300-acre Scott Arboretum. Swarthmore is the third-highest producer of Ph.D. students in the country. Student-athletes compete in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA Division III level.

Rhode Island: Brown University

Established in 1764, Brown University (Top College No. 8) has the reputation as the most eccentric and liberal of the Ivies. Brown offers an open curriculum in over 40 academic departments, imposing no core requirements and allowing students to “concentrate” rather than “major” in their preferred areas of study. About 47% of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging about $36,000. Superstition permeates the university: the Van Wickle Gates are closed except at Convocation and Commencement, and legend dictates that students who walk through more than twice will have bad luck. The Brown Bears compete in 37 Division I sports. Notable alumni include John F. Kennedy, Jr., Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and actor and UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson.

South Carolina: Wofford College

Wofford College (Top College No. 97) is a private liberal arts institution in Spartanburg, and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school opened its doors in 1854, and the campus was designated a National Historic District in 1974. Wofford follows a 4-1-4 calendar that includes two semesters and a January Interim period. Students can choose from 25 majors, 21 minors and 19 programs and fields of study. They can also take advantage of a vibrant social scene, including Greek life and five neighboring colleges and universities. Nearly 90% of freshmen receive school grants averaging $20,000. Wofford sits on 170 lush acres part of the Roger Milliken Aboretum. The college competes in NCAA Division I athletics and is a member of the Southern Conference.

South Dakota: University of South Dakota

A public research institution, the University of South Dakota (Top College No. 411) was established in 1862 and plays a central role in the state – the school says it has educated 70% of South Dakota’s attorneys and 48% of its physicians. Located in the small town community of Vermillion, USD offers 206 undergraduate programs and 66 graduate programs divided into eight schools and colleges. The most popular fields of study are nursing, business, psychology, elementary teacher education and biology. Almost all (93%) of freshmen receive financial aid. Each fall the school celebrates “Dakota Days” during its homecoming weekend. The University of South Dakota Coyotes compete in Division I sports.

Tennessee: Vanderbilt University

Founded in 1873 by business magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt University (Top College No. 47) occupies a sprawling 330-acre campus less than two miles from downtown Nashville, TN. This research institution offers 68 undergraduate majors in liberal arts and sciences, engineering, music, education and human development. Sixty percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $38,200. Students participate in over 500 clubs and 32 chapters of Greek organizations. Residential life includes a “College Halls” system in which students and faculty live together in self-contained buildings that include study places, cafeterias, laundry facilities and stores. The sports teams compete in Division I athletics. The university counts two U.S. vice presidents as alumni, and multiple Nobel laureates.

Texas: Rice University

Founded in 1912, Rice University (Top College No. 32) is a private university in Houston, TX that has earned a reputation for its strength in research. Rice offers 73 majors, and the most popular majors include biological sciences and economics. The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy has brought a number of national and world leaders and scholars to the 300-acre campus. Sixty percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging just over $31,000. Rice has a presidential history: George H.W. Bush was once an adjunct professor and John F. Kennedy famously persuaded the American public to support a manned space flight to the moon here. Rice’s varsity athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division I level.

Utah: Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University (Top College No. 104) was founded in 1875 by Brigham Young himself and almost exclusively serves members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. BYU offers bachelor’s degrees in approximately 180 academic programs through its 10 colleges. With 133 study abroad programs in 50 countries, BYU has one of the largest study abroad programs in the nation and more than two thirds of students speak a second language. Over half of students have returned from religious missions around the world. Students are expected to adhere to a strict Honor Code that prohibits premarital sex, alcohol and drug use; men are asked not to grow a beard without a doctor’s permission. Mitt Romney graduated from BYU in 1971.

Vermont: Middlebury College

Known as one of the “Little Ivies," Middlebury College (Top College No. 34) is a small private liberal arts school in rural Vermont. Established in 1800, the school now focuses on a liberal arts curriculum with an emphasis on writing. Its core distribution requirements encompass seven academic categories and four courses that stress cultural awareness. The school is known for its foreign language programs, and Middlebury Schools Abroad has locations in 35 global cities. Forty-two percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging just over $35,200. In 2012, the Dalai Lama made his third visit to Middlebury to give a special lecture on international cooperation and optimism. The Middlebury Panthers compete in NCAA Division III athletics.

Virginia: Washington and Lee University

Located in Lexington, VA, Washington and Lee (Top College No. 29) is a private liberal arts school with a rich history. The school, the second oldest in the state, was founded in 1749, and in 1796 George Washington provided the school’s first major endowment. Gen. Robert E. Lee famously served as the school's president, and it was renamed in his honor after his death in 1870. The school offers 38 majors and 29 minors, and is divided into two undergraduate divisions, the College and the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics. Forty-nine percent of freshmen receive grants from the school which average nearly $40,000. The 24 athletic teams are known as the Generals and compete in NCAA Division III.

Washington: Whitman College

Whitman College (Top College No. 50) is a private liberal arts school located in the notoriously friendly small town of Walla Walla, WA, at the foot of the Blue Mountains. In addition to offering 45 majors, Whitman partners with other institutions to provide combined programs, such as a dual engineering and computer science program. The school was modeled after traditional New England liberal arts colleges. Eighty-three percent of freshmen receive grants from the school averaging $19,500. Students eager for experiences overseas can take advantage of 90 study abroad programs in 40 countries, and those interested in cultural encounters on campus can live in one of four language houses for French, German, Spanish and Japanese speakers. Whitman’s sports teams compete at the NCAA Division III level.

West Virginia: West Virginia University

West Virginia University (Top College No. 421) , founded in 1867, is a public research university located in Morgantown, WV. The university has 15 colleges and schools. Some of the top fields of study include the arts and sciences, business, agriculture and public health. The WVU library has more than 2.1 million books, 48,000 journal subscriptions and electronic access to 246 network databases. At WVU, students have many opportunities get involved on campus with 475 student organizations to choose from. Since its founding, West Virginia University has produced 24 Rhodes Scholars, 22 Truman Scholars, 40 Goldwater Scholars and 43 Fulbright Scholars. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics in the Big 12 Conference.

Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin, Madison

Standing as the No. 11 public school in the country in 2015, University of Wisconsin, Madison (Top College No. 69) was founded in 1848 as the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin system. It is one of the world’s leading research institutions, with over $1 billion in research expenditures each year; alumni and faculty have been awarded 18 Nobel and 26 Pulitzer prizes. Students hail from 50 states and over 100 countries. Its 13 schools and colleges offer 136 undergraduate majors as well as certificate, master’s and doctoral programs. There are over 900 student organizations on campus was well as 11 men’s and 12 women’s varsity sports teams. Nicknamed the Badgers, the school competes in the Big Ten Conference. It holds 29 team NCAA national titles.

Wyoming: University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming (Top College No. 235) first opened its doors to a class of 42 students in 1886. Today, students hail from all 50 states and more than 90 countries around the globe. It is a public research university, which offers over 180 areas of study across 7 colleges to students. There are more than 200 student organizations on campus. The school’s Geological Museum houses a 75-foot Brontosaurus skeleton. There is a ski area 25 minutes away from the campus and a campground 15 minutes to the east. Student-athletes compete in the Mountain West Conference at the NCAA Division I level. Former Vice President Dick Cheney is a notable alumnus.