Did you know over 1 million international students choose the United States as their study destination every year? Many American colleges and universities offer an excellent quality of education and high graduate potential. Below, we’ll look at some American universities recognized by two prestigious lists: Times Higher Education’s (THE) World University Rankings 2024 and U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges – National Universities list for 2024. If you’re a future international student who’s thinking of studying in the US, these five top-ranked American universities are great options.
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The Ivy League, and Other Titans
When thinking of top-ranked American universities, the eight Ivy League universities likely come to mind. These private research universities have a long history of academic excellence—in fact, seven are among the US’ original nine colonial colleges. In the 2024 U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities ranking, each one placed in the top 18.
The Ivy League institutions are:
- Brown University
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Princeton University
- Yale University
That said, many of the US’ top-ranked institutions aren’t in the Ivy League. For example, Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aren’t, but rank second and third in THE’s 2024 global rankings. West Coast leaders like California Institute of Technology (CalTech) and University of California, Berkeley also made THE’s top 10, at seventh and ninth respectively.
Learn more about these institutions in our previous Top Universities in the US article.
However, below we’re going to think outside of the box. We’ve featured five American universities that rank among the world’s top 200, per the 2024 THE World University Rankings list, with some of their rankings, interesting programs, and distinctive features. Let’s get started.
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Johns Hopkins University
Rankings
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland is ranked #15 in the world by THE. It also has a research quality score of 97.2 out of 100 and a research environment score of 92.3. The institution is known for its excellence in medicine, computer science, public health, and physics. Approximately two-thirds of its undergrad students do research during their degree.
Domestically, Johns Hopkins is tied at #9 by U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 National Universities list, and #9 on their national list of Most Innovative Schools. U.S. News ranked it second (tied) for the best biomedical engineering program in the US, and fourth for biotechnology. Its economics program is also highly regarded, at #20.
Program Spotlight
As the first research university in the US, research opportunities at Johns Hopkins are diverse. From the invention of CPR and rubber surgical gloves to making water purification possible, innovations from Johns Hopkins researchers save lives. The field of genetic engineering originated here. The university’s innovative approach makes Johns Hopkins a very strong option for international students with a drive to excel, especially in medical fields.
Distinctive Features
Johns Hopkins’ student-to-faculty ratio is 6 to 1, so its 15,700+ students have ample opportunity to connect with faculty, researchers, and student services. Most class sizes are small—U.S. News notes that 78% of classes have 20 students or fewer.
With a student body that’s 28% international, it’s likely your peers will understand any culture shock you may experience, or have strategies to beat it. Plus, services like CPT and OPT guidance from the Office of International Services are made to support students like you. All first- and second-year students must live on campus, which can help you settle in, build friendships, and save time by living closer to your classes.
Health sciences grads are in high demand. Is it a field that’s right for you?
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Texas A&M University
Rankings
Texas A&M University was ranked #47 by the U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list, and #118 in 2024’s THE global rankings. It’s a public university based in College Station, Texas (a thriving college town and research hub about two hours east of Austin, and an hour and a half north of Houston).
Program Spotlight
While Texas A&M opened in the 1870s as an agricultural and mechanical college, it’s become a great option for engineering and tech programs. This public university’s engineering programs are tied at #54 globally by THE, rated highest for their research quality and industry connections.
Equally, for students interested in education, THE ranked Texas A&M #54. Want to study physical science, business, or economics? They made THE’s global top 100, too.
Distinctive Features
Texas A&M is one of the few universities to have land-, sea-, and space-grant designations. These designations mean different things: land-grant refers to being donated public land to build a campus. Over a century later, the Sea Grant College Act created a network of universities focused on the responsible use of aquatic resources. NASA launched the space grant program in 1989, dedicated to creating aeronautics and space projects.
When they arrive, international students from over 100 countries join a student body of over 77,000: the third-largest in the US. It won’t take long to realize Texas A&M students (known as “Aggies,” a nod to A&M’s agricultural heritage) also excel at athletics. It’s not just the 20 varsity-level teams, either. Over 25% of students play in casual intramural sports leagues—one of the largest programs in America.
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University of Pittsburgh
Rankings
With highly-regarded research quality (ranked at 92.4 out of 100 by THE) and strong industry connections, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) ties at #145 on THE’s 2024 global rankings and #67 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list.
Program Spotlight
Want to pursue business or marketing? At the undergraduate or graduate level, you’re in good hands. Pitt’s College of Business Administration was ranked #23 in the US in 2022 and 2023, and the Katz Graduate School of Business’ MBA program has made the Financial Times’ Top 20 public programs in the US every year since 2013. As 94% of Pitt’s new MBA grads get job offers within 90 days of graduating, this degree is in high demand!
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre is particularly well-regarded for its school of medicine’s research. Its clinical and preclinical programs ranked #66 on THE’s global list for 2024. Other faculties, including Arts and Humanities (#56 worldwide), Education (tied at #77), Life Sciences (#95), and Psychology (#96) also rank among the world’s best, per THE.
Planning to improve your English communication skills before you start your degree? The Intensive English Program from the University of Pittsburgh’s English Language Institute is a great option.
Distinctive Features
Pitt’s campus is three miles from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. New students don’t have to live on campus, so you can choose from on- or off-campus accommodations. Or, “go Greek” and join one of nearly 40 fraternities or sororities.
Ready to explore? Pitt students can visit cultural centres across the city, like the Andy Warhol Museum, for free—so seeing new things doesn’t have to be expensive. City buses stop every 10 to 15 minutes on campus, and your bus pass is included with your tuition.
Sustainability is an important goal at Pitt, and it’s been recognized locally and nationally for its work towards multi-modal transportation (Bicycle Friendly University), addressing food insecurity (Food Recovery Verified Campus) and energy use (EPA Green Power Partner). Students and faculty engage with green projects at the Mascaro Centre for Sustainable Innovation, and sustainability-related topics are built into classwork.
College? University? What’s the difference between the two in the US, and which option is right for you?
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University of Arizona
Rankings
Founded in 1885, the University of Arizona (UA) has grown from a patch of desert to a 380-acre campus in central Tucson. It has a competitive student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1, which means more personal connection with instructors, and smaller classes with livelier discussions. UA is tied at #155 on THE’s global rankings, and on U.S. News & World Report’s list, it sits at #115.
Program Spotlight
Business, biology, and engineering are three of the most popular programs. As an institution, UA also works closely with NASA, and counts numerous astronauts among its graduates. (In fact, UA researchers helped to map the moon, so astronauts could land on it in the 1960s!)
While space research is one of UA’s strengths, it’s not the only area where this Sun Belt university excels. Its physical sciences and social sciences programs made the world’s top 100 in 2024, per THE.
Distinctive Features
Today, over 4,000 international students from almost 130 countries study at UA. Support services are based out of the Student Success District, four new buildings at the heart of campus. They offer everything from access to 3D printers and a podcast studio to tutoring, interfaith services, and career coaching.
UA is dedicated to supporting their students. Within the Student Success District, the SALT Center uses “a leading international model of success in higher education for students with learning and attention challenges.” They offer one-to-one services like time management guidance, psychological support, and tutoring.
Not sure where you’d like to study yet? We get it! Check out our Top-Ranked Universities posts for Canada and Australia for more ideas.
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Arizona State University
Rankings
Arizona State University (ASU) is #1 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of Most Innovative Schools for 2024. This national list features institutions “that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.” ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management was also rated #1 worldwide for international trade—ahead of academic heavy-hitters like Cambridge, Harvard, and Stanford—per QS’ 2023 International Trade Rankings. Overall, ASU is at #182 on THE’s Global University Rankings, and tied at #105 on U.S. News & World Report’s National Universities list.
Program Spotlight
ASU has a student body of over 145,000 at campuses across the greater Phoenix area. It offers over 400 undergraduate programs, and over 450 graduate degrees and certificates, so there’s a lot to choose from. Some of its most respected programs include criminology (its graduate program ranked #2 in the United States in 2022 by U.S. News), journalism, government management, and fine arts like ceramics and photography.
At ASU, you might learn from Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, or National Academy of Sciences members. All of the 5,000 faculty members aim to create an inclusive, collaborative, and entrepreneurial mindset in their classes.
Research is vital to the university’s success, with over 1,550 issued patents, but ASU is also home to hundreds of entrepreneurs. 230 startups have been launched from ASU, and have since “generated more than US$2 billion in economic output in Arizona alone.”
Distinctive Features
Looking for advice? ASU has a fun Student Experience Quiz which can be a good place to get started. It’ll also offer tips about things you might want to look for in a college, and what can help you thrive as an international student.
Once you arrive, pace yourself. With over 1,000 student clubs, athletics, on-campus entrepreneurial opportunities, and more, it’s easy to be overwhelmed! Fortunately, student services like free tutoring, first-year coaches, and ASU’s 24/7 counseling centre are there to help.
What is a First-Year Coach? They’re a third- or fourth-year undergrad student or a graduate student you’re paired with as a new student. Think of them as someone who’s been in your shoes. They’re great folks to talk to if you have questions about college life—even the embarrassing ones.
Colleges and universities in the US have a lot to offer future international students. We hope this list of top-ranked American universities has helped you narrow down which ones match your academic goals!
ApplyBoard can help you find the best program options, organize your application, and get you ready to land. Try it today.
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