Explore the 2016 Best National Universities
Top 20 National Universities
National Universities are research institutions that offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The top schools are a mix of public and private institutions.
Check out these photos of the top 20 National Universities in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings.
20. University of California--Berkeley
Total undergraduate enrollment: 27,126
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $13,432 (in-state); $38,140 (out-of-state)
Regular decision application deadline: Nov. 30
More about the University of California--Berkeley.
18 (tie). Rice University (TX)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,926
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $42,253
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Rice University.
18 (tie). University of Notre Dame (IN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,448
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $47,929
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the University of Notre Dame.
15 (tie). Cornell University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 14,453
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,116
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Cornell University.
15 (tie). Vanderbilt University (TN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,851
2014-2015 tuition and fees: $43,838
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Vanderbilt University.
15 (tie). Washington University in St. Louis
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,401
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $48,093
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15
More about Washington University in St. Louis.
14. Brown University (RI)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,548
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,346
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Brown University.
12 (tie). Dartmouth College (NH)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,289
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,506
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Dartmouth College.
12 (tie). Northwestern University (IL)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,405
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,047
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Northwestern University.
10 (tie). California Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 983
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $45,390
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about California Institute of Technology.
10 (tie). Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,469
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $48,710
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Johns Hopkins University.
9. University of Pennsylvania
Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,746
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,536
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the University of Pennsylvania.
8. Duke University (NC)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,626
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,341
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Duke University.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,512
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $46,704
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
4 (tie). Columbia University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,170
2014-2015 tuition and fees: $51,008
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Columbia University.
4 (tie). Stanford University (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,019
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $46,320
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about Stanford University.
4 (tie). University of Chicago
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,681
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $50,193
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 4
More about the University of Chicago.
3. Yale University (CT)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,477
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $47,600
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Yale University.
2. Harvard University (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,694
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $45,278
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Harvard University.
1. Princeton University (NJ)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,391
2015-2016 tuition and fees: $43,450
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Princeton University.
Learn More About the Best Colleges Rankings
Explore the complete 2016 Best Colleges rankings to view other exclusive lists, such as A-plus Schools for B Students and Best Value Schools.
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Briana Boyington is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at bboyington@usnews.com.
