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Best Universities in United States 2026

891 universities in United States ranked on real data — QS reputation, admission rate, graduation & graduate earnings. How we rank.

Which are the best universities in United States in 2026? We rank 891 United States universities on real published data — QS World reputation, admission selectivity, graduation rates and graduate earnings — never opinion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops the ranking with an independent grade of A+ (5% acceptance, $143,372 median graduate earnings), ahead of Stanford University and Harvard University. Every university carries an independent ScholarshipsAds grade, so you can compare quality, selectivity, tuition and graduate outcomes at a glance.

Filter by field of study below, or open any university for its full review, programs, tuition and scholarships.

Best for Agriculture & Food Best for Architecture & Built Environment Best for Arts & Design Best for Biology & Life Sciences Best for Business & Management Best for Chemistry Best for Computer Science & IT Best for Economics & Finance Best for Education Best for Engineering Best for Environmental & Earth Sciences Best for History & Archaeology Best for Humanities & Literature Best for Languages & Linguistics Best for Law Best for Mathematics & Statistics Best for Media & Communication Best for Medicine & Health Best for Music & Performing Arts Best for Other Fields Best for Physics & Astronomy Best for Political Science & IR Best for Psychology Best for Social Sciences
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Southwestern Oregon Community College

United States
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Southwestern University

Georgetown, Texas · United States
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SOWELA Technical Community College

Lake Charles, Louisiana · United States
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Spartanburg Community College

United States
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Spartanburg Methodist College

United States
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Spencer Foundation

United States
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Spokane Colleges

United States
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Spokane Community College

United States
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Spokane Falls Community College

United States
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Spoon River College

Canton, Illinois · United States
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Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts · United States
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St Charles Community College

New York, New York · United States
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St Cloud Technical and Community College

Saint Cloud, Minnesota · United States
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St. Ambrose University

Davenport, IA · United States
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St. Andrews Presbyterian College

United States
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St. Augustine's University

United States
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St. Clair County Community College

Port Huron, Michigan · United States
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St. John's College - Annapolis

United States
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St. John's College - Santa Fe

United States
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St. Joseph College (CT)

Whiting, Indiana · United States
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St. Joseph's College (ME)

Standish, ME · United States
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St. Lawrence University

Canton, New York · United States
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St. Martin's College

United States
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St. Mary's University

United States
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Stanly Community College

Albemarle, North Carolina · United States
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Stark State College

North Canton, Ohio · United States
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State Center Community College District

United States
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State Fair Community College

Sedalia, Missouri · United States
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State University of New York at Albany

Albany, New York · United States
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State University of New York at Binghamton

Vestal, NY · United States
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State University of New York at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · United States
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State University of New York at Farmingdale

United States
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State University of New York at Fredonia

United States
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State University of New York at Oneonta

United States
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State University of New York at Stony Brook

Stony Brook, New York · United States
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State University of New York College at Brockport

United States
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State University of New York College at Cortland

United States
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State University of New York College at Geneseo

United States
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State University of New York College at Potsdam

United States
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State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill

United States
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State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry

United States
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State University of New York College of Technology at Alfred

United States
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State University of New York Polytechnic Institute

United States
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State University of New York System

United States
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Stillman College

United States
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Stone Child College

Box Elder, Montana · United States
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Stonehill College

United States
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Stratford University

United States
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Strayer College

Washington, District of Columbia · United States
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Suffolk County Community College

Selden, New York · United States
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Rankings tell you how good a university is. They do not tell you what it costs. See student debt against graduate salary at 795 US universities — and how many years the degree takes to pay for itself. Is college worth it? See the numbers →