u777bet In its zero-waste facility in Wabash, Indiana, REAL ALLOY plans to use ALTEK's AluSaltTM salt slag processing technology to recycle metallics and salts, and recover other non-metallic products. "ALTEK is very excited to work with REAL ALLOY on this first-of-its-kind, milestone project for the U.S. aluminum industry as they work toward achieving aggressive sustainability goals,” said James Herbert, managing director of ALTEK. "Our AluSalt technology is designed to reduce carbon emissions, eliminate landfill associated with salt slag recycling, and generate byproducts that can be reused back in REAL ALLOY'S recycling process, as well as within the cement and steel industries.” Enviri acquired ALTEK in 2018 to expand the metal recovery byproduct reuse capabilities of its Harsco Environmental division into the aluminum industry. ALTEK has active equipment in over 600 locations worldwide and works with customers, supplying knowledge and technology to improve operating efficiencies and productivity, reduce waste generation, and manage and extract value from waste streams. About Enviri Enviri is transforming the world to green, as a trusted global leader in providing a broad range of environmental services and related innovative solutions. The Company serves a diverse customer base by offering critical recycle and reuse solutions for their waste streams, enabling customers to address their most complex environmental challenges and to achieve their sustainability goals. Enviri is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and operates in more than 150 locations in over 30 countries. Additional information can be found at www.enviri.com .Goliad falls to Bushland in state title game

NoneNo. 2 UConn falls again in Maui, losing 73-72 to Colorado on Jakimovski's off-balance layup

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Photos: Quarterfinal scenes from the ND Class B state volleyball tournament at the FargodomeAuthor's Tranquility Press Presents: The Alien Apocalypse by Frank Morin

Tories urge PM to reject Netanyahu arrest warrant and alter ‘nonsensical’ stance

Scaling Securely: 11 Strategies for Managing Cyber Risks During Business Growth

FDA approves cancer drug developed by B.C.'s ZymeworksShare Tweet Share Share Email Data is often referred to as the new oil. Like crude oil, raw data has little value until it is processed, analyzed, and utilized. Data monetization, or the process of turning data into financial gain, is emerging as a lucrative opportunity for individuals and businesses alike. For personal finance enthusiasts, leveraging this trend could pave the way for additional income streams . Understanding Data Monetization Data monetization involves the transformation of information into economic value. Organizations collect, analyze, and sell data to improve decision-making, enhance customer experiences, and increase profits. While businesses have been doing this for years, individuals now have opportunities to monetize their data as well. Types of Data Monetization Direct Monetization: Selling data to third parties or using it to generate direct revenue. For example, some platforms pay users for their browsing data. Indirect Monetization: Using data insights to improve services, build better products, or optimize operations, indirectly boosting income potential. By understanding these types, individuals can identify where their personal data fits into the broader monetization terrain. Why Data Is Valuable The value of data lies in its ability to inform decisions. Businesses pay top dollar for insights that help them predict consumer behavior, optimize marketing strategies, and refine product offerings. Even seemingly insignificant pieces of information—like browsing habits or shopping preferences—can provide valuable insights into consumer trends. For individuals, this means that the data you generate every day could have untapped financial potential . How Individuals Can Monetize Their Data Participate in Paid Surveys and Research One of the simplest ways to monetize your data is by participating in surveys or research studies. Websites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and Toluna pay users for sharing their opinions on various topics. These platforms often target specific demographics, so your unique perspective might be in high demand. Tips for Maximizing Earnings: Sign up for multiple platforms to access a wider range of opportunities. Dedicate a set amount of time each week to completing surveys. Sell Your Browsing Data Certain platforms pay users for their browsing data. Tools like Brave Browser and Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel reward users for sharing anonymous browsing habits. These services anonymize data before selling it, protecting your privacy while allowing you to earn money. Considerations: Review privacy policies to ensure your data remains secure. Use these tools on devices where you spend most of your online time. Leverage Wearable Technology Wearables like fitness trackers and smartwatches generate valuable health data. Companies such as Evidation Health pay individuals for sharing this data, which can be used in healthcare research or product development. Benefits: Earn passive income by simply wearing your device. Contribute to advancements in health and wellness. Monetize Social Media Content Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube allow users to monetize their content through sponsorships, ad revenue, or affiliate marketing. By analyzing audience data, content creators can tailor their strategies to maximize engagement and income. Steps to Succeed: Use analytics tools to understand your audience. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content. Collaborate with brands aligned with your niche. Join Data Monetization Platforms Platforms like Datacoup and Gener8 allow users to sell their personal data directly to companies. These services often provide dashboards where you can control which data is shared and track your earnings. Key Features: Transparency in how data is used. Flexibility to choose what you share. The Role of Blockchain in Data Monetization Blockchain technology is revolutionizing data monetization by enabling secure, decentralized transactions. Platforms like Ocean Protocol and Streamr allow users to sell their data directly to buyers without intermediaries, ensuring greater privacy and fair compensation. Advantages: Enhanced security through encryption. More control over who accesses your data. Potential for higher earnings due to reduced middlemen. Risks and Ethical Considerations While data monetization offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with risks: Privacy Concerns Sharing personal data can expose you to identity theft or misuse if not handled securely. Always research platforms and ensure they use robust security measures. Ethical Dilemmas Some argue that selling personal data commodifies privacy. Before diving in, consider whether you’re comfortable with how your data will be used. Market Volatility The value of data fluctuates depending on demand and market conditions. Stay informed about trends to maximize your earnings. Tips for Safe Data Monetization Use trusted platforms with transparent policies. Regularly update your device’s security settings. Monitor your earnings and adjust strategies as needed. Stay informed about data privacy laws in your region. Personal Finance Benefits of Data Monetization Incorporating data monetization into your personal finance strategy can have several benefits: Supplemental Income Data monetization offers a way to earn extra money without significant upfront investment. This additional income can help you pay off debt, build an emergency fund, or invest in other ventures. Passive Earnings Some methods, like selling browsing data or using wearables, generate passive income. This means you can earn money with minimal effort, freeing up time for other activities. Financial Awareness Engaging in data monetization can increase your awareness of how data is valued in the market, which might inspire you to adopt other innovative financial strategies. The Future of Data Monetization As technology advances, new opportunities for data monetization will emerge. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are driving demand for high-quality data, making it more valuable than ever. Additionally, the rise of decentralized platforms ensures greater transparency and control for individuals. Trends to Watch: Increased use of AI in analyzing and monetizing data. Growth of decentralized data marketplaces. Stricter regulations around data privacy and security. Conclusion Data monetization represents a promising avenue for boosting personal finance. By leveraging your everyday data, you can create new income streams and gain valuable insights into the digital economy. However, it’s crucial to approach this opportunity with caution, ensuring your privacy and security are protected. Start small by exploring platforms that align with your comfort level and financial goals. Over time, you’ll discover which methods work best for you. In today’s data-driven world, turning information into income isn’t just a possibility—it’s a smart financial move. Related Items: Data Monetization , personal finance , Turning Information Into Income Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you How Do People Balance Budgeting and Maintaining a Good Quality of Life? Ocean Protocol: Top 3 Uses in Data Monetization Empowering Personal Finance: AI Revolutionizing Financial Management Comments

No. 2 UConn falls again in Maui, losing 73-72 to Colorado on Jakimovski's off-balance layup

Maverick McNealy earned his first victory on the PGA Tour as he finished with a final-round 68 to edge out a trio of players by one shot at the RSM Classic in St Simons Island, Georgia. The 29-year-old sank a 5ft 5in putt on the 18th hole to finish at 16-under 266, just ahead of Luke Clanton (66), Nico Echavarria of Colombia (65) and Daniel Berger (67). The victory came in his 134th start as a professional, and it sends him to Maui to start the year at The Sentry and to The Masters in April for the first time. Berger missed a 20-foot birdie attempt on the 18th alongside Echavarria and Clanton, who both missed par putts from inside eight feet on the final hole that created the four-way tie. Clanton was a shot away from joining Nick Dunlap as amateur winners on the PGA Tour this year. He tugged his approach to the 18th into a bunker, blasted out nicely to seven feet and stooped over in disbelief when he missed his par putt and had to settle for a 66. Trending "It's going to be a tough one to definitely take, for sure, after bogeying the last," Clanton said. "But I think it's proven to me that out here I can win, so I'll be training for that." Henrik Norlander, who was No 126 in the FedExCup last year, had a 63-68 weekend and joined Berger as the two players who moved into the top 125. More from Pga Tour Zozo Championship: Nico Echavarria edges out Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman to claim second PGA Tour victory Shriners Children's Open: Taylor Pendrith remains in PGA Tour lead after wind-delays in Las Vegas Shriners Children's Open: Taylor Pendrith takes three-shot lead after 10 birdies as Joel Dahmen suffers penalty Jordan Spieth confirms intention to undergo surgery on injured left wrist after FedExCup playoffs exit Matt Kuchar sorry for solo Monday finish at Wyndham Championship and says he 'knows it stinks' PGA Tour: Hayden Springer shoots historic 59 at John Deere Classic JT Poston posted the round of the day with a seven-under 63, joining Lee Hodges (67) and Canada's Mackenzie Hughes (68) in a tie for fifth at 14-under 268. Get the best prices and book a round at one of 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland Enter Course, City, or Postal Code Courses Locations No results found. Please try another search. Vince Whaley, who shared the lead with McNealy entering the final round, finished joint-eighth after shooting 71 on Sunday. Michael Thorbjornsen (69) and Patrick Fishburn (69) also tied for eighth at 13-under 269. Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV , streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app , giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.

For this game, we have put together an analysis of our two best prop bets for the TNF battle between the Seahawks and Bears, including the best Pennsylvania sportsbooks in which you can place them. Best prop bets for Seahawks vs. Bears on TNF Caleb Williams 2+ Passing TDs (+142) - FanDuel Keenan Allen Over 60.5 receiving yards (-110) - DraftKings Where: FanDuel Sportsbook Why: It was an understandably rough start to Caleb Williams’ rookie campaign, as he threw just five touchdowns compared to four interceptions through his first five games. Chicago has been embarrassingly winless over the last 5 weeks, but the silver lining could be Williams’ clear improvement with 10 touchdown passes and zero interceptions. During this five-game stretch, Williams has thrown the ball an average of 36 times per game. The volume increase for Williams makes sense and is promising; he’s the future of the team and needs to get the reps in these next few games. Seattle’s secondary has also been far from dominant, ranking 20th in opponent passing touchdowns per game and allowing each of the past four opposing quarterbacks to throw for two or more passing touchdowns against it. Where: DraftKings Sportsbook Why: Like Williams, Keenan Allen had a slow start to the season, which can be attributed to being on a new team and having a new quarterback under center. While Allen still doesn’t have a super high catch percentage over his past five games, he has been targeted a ton (10.8 targets per game) and has averaged 82.4 receiving yards per game in that span, eclipsing this line four times. Further, in three of those five games, Allen finished with between 13 and 15 targets; he has become one of Caleb Williams’ favorite weapons. And Seattle’s secondary hasn’t exactly been unstoppable. In fact, the Seahawks have ranked 20th in opponent passing yards per game and 19th in opponent yards per completion in their past three games. With nothing to lose, Chicago should air the ball out a lot, especially since it is more focused on Williams’ development than winning or keeping games close.

Knights face tall road task vs. Sam Montembeault, CanadiensWorkday, Inc. WDAY reported its third-quarter results after Tuesday's closing bell. Here's a look at the details from the report. The Details: Workday reported quarterly earnings of $1.89 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.76. Quarterly revenue came in at $2.16 billion which beat the consensus estimate of $2.13 billion and is an increase over sales of $1.87 billion from the same period last year. Subscription revenues were $1.959 billion, up 15.8% year-over-year. The 12-month subscription revenue backlog was $6.98 billion, up 15.3% from the same period last year. Total subscription revenue backlog was $22.19 billion, increasing 20.3% year-over-year. Operating cash flows were $406 million compared to $451 million in the prior year. Free cash flows were $359 million compared to $391 million in the prior year. Read Next: Bitcoin Could Reach $1 Million By 2037, Economist Says: ‘Buy Of A Lifetime’ Opportunity “Workday’s solid performance in Q3 reflects the trust our customers place in us across industries, the global momentum around our AI-driven innovations, and the strength of our partner ecosystem,” said Carl Eschenbach , CEO of Workday. “Organizations are increasingly consolidating on the Workday platform to reduce total cost of ownership, simplify their operations, and to unlock the power of our best-in-class AI solutions. Workday gives them the ultimate advantage — and that positions our business for long-term success,” Eschenbach added. Outlook: Workday revised its fiscal 2025 subscription revenue outlook lower from between $7.7 billion and $7.725 billion to $7.703 billion, representing growth of 17%. WDAY Price Action: According to Benzinga Pro , Workday shares are down 10.32% after-hours at $242 at the time of publication Tuesday. Read More: Trump’s Potential ‘Health Czar’ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Rattles Vaccine Stocks: ‘Shoot First Reaction’ Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced a partnership with AgStar PLC to promote smart agriculture machinery and equipment via the bank’s Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme. A Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two companies, paves the way for farmers who obtain loans from the bank to purchase inter-cultivators and irrigation systems from AgStar to receive exclusive discounts and other benefits. The bank said AgStar would offer a 5% discount to the bank’s customers, as well as free advisory services for potential buyers and free installation under this agreement. Smart agriculture equipment can help farmers adapt to climate variability by providing tools for precision watering, soil management, and pest control. These practices make farms more resilient to drought, extreme weather and other climate impacts, protecting farmers’ investments and yields. Beyond just lending money, this partnership extends to training, after-sales support, and maintenance of the equipment ensuring that farmers know how to effectively use and maintain the technology, which maximises productivity and extends the equipment’s lifespan, the bank said. Commercial Bank’s Diribala Green Development Loan Scheme aims to encourage sustainable agricultural practices. It supports the purchase of smart, eco-friendly machinery, that helps farmers adopt practices that are less harmful to the environment, such as precision agriculture which uses resources more efficiently and reduces waste. The bank has also launched several other initiatives to drive the adoption of modern and smart agriculture practices in Sri Lanka to improve productivity, address manpower shortages, reduce costs, and promote sustainability and food security.

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NEW YORK — If you’re a Blues player, you might check your phone and get a notification that your new head coach has sent you a TikTok. “(If) I see something that when I’m sitting at home reading, or I do like to do TikTok, and I get something that I think relates and connects to our group, I’ll send it out in a text thread,” new Blues coach Jim Montgomery said Monday morning before making his Blues coaching debut in New York. Blues players should know to expect this, of course, since Montgomery did this when he was an assistant coach in St. Louis from 2020-22. His familiarity with the Blues roster is part of the reason why both Montgomery and general manager Doug Armstrong felt he was a good fit back in St. Louis. “He used to send me a lot of motivational stuff, and mindset stuff,” Blues forward Robert Thomas said. “I really enjoyed it. I obviously don’t have TikTok and I can’t watch them anymore, but it was pretty funny and really cool part about our relationship.” Montgomery: “Because to me, even though when I’m at home, I try to be very present with my own family. Your mind when something connects with me emotionally, I’m going to share that. That lets the players know what kind of person I am, and that I’m thinking about them.” Montgomery’s relationship with Blues players was something that was a topic of conversation on his first game day as the St. Louis coach. Of the current 23-man active roster, 14 Blues players were around when Montgomery was an assistant back in 2021-22. That was also the year that Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and Pavel Buchnevich each became point-per-game players for the first time in their careers. “A lot of us give him a lot of credit for taking big steps in our career to him: myself, Buchy, Rouzy,” Thomas said. “He was a big part of getting us to the players we are today. It’s really exciting to be back with him and back on the ice with him today.” What aspects of Thomas’ game did Montgomery help bring out? “A big thing was making the right play at the right time, puck possession, being on the right side of things,” Thomas said. “At times, you can be a little bit more opportunistic and, at times, you need to play into the system. He was a huge help for me, someone that I really relied on a couple years ago. Can’t say enough how excited I am to see him back here.” So many times in recent NHL seasons, the mood is tense after a coach is fired. Most times, the team is underperforming and the coach pays the price with his job. But general manager Doug Armstrong made it clear that Montgomery’s availability — and not the Blues’ 9-12-1 record — was the motivating factor behind the change. “This one does feel different for sure,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. “One, because he does know his players. Two, he’s so well-respected in this locker room. Three, when we was here, he got a lot out of a lot of guys, self included. He’s a guy that he’s fun to be around, but at the same time, he’s detailed and smart and guys respect him.” Montgomery will have to sort out how to squeeze more offense out of the Blues, particularly guys like Kyrou and Buchnevich, who Montgomery called “skilled guys that think the game at a high level that compete.” “To me, this is an offensive-slanted team,” Montgomery said. “It just shows you how hard it is to score. We’ve got to get the details and being in the right areas, the hard areas at the right times to be able to score more. But we have the ability to score goals.” The Blues entered Monday’s game in New York 30th in the league scoring 2.36 goals per game. (Montgomery’s former team Boston was last at 2.32.) “He’s detailed and structured, but at the same time, he lets his guys play hockey,” Schenn said. “He wants his creative guys to be creative. He wants his guys to play hard, he wants them to be aggressive, everything within the system. He doesn’t want everyone to play the same. He doesn’t want everyone to be robotic out there. That was kind of his messaging.” Broberg on the ice Blues defenseman Philip Broberg was on the ice for morning skate on Monday, joining the team in New York and on the ice with the Blues for the first time since his lower-body injury on Nov. 2. Broberg is three weeks into a projected 4-6 week timetable, but did not participate in every drill during skate on Monday. On Sunday, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was asked about the progress of both Broberg and Nick Leddy (lower-body). “I’m not sure what close is anymore,” Armstrong said. “They’re skating, which is a positive. They’re not on the road trip (as of Sunday), which is a negative. ... We can’t worry about when they get back. We have to be prepared to work tomorrow night. When they get back, that’s a bonus.” Monday night’s game was the 11th that Broberg missed since he was injured against the Maple Leafs when Mitch Marner fell on his right knee. On Bannister Before Thomas spoke about Montgomery, he wanted to make sure he talked about Drew Bannister, who was fired Sunday in order to make way for Montgomery’s hiring. “He was a great person, great hockey mind, great coach,” Thomas said. “I learned a lot from him as a player and also as a person. I just want to say thank you to him. It’s always tough going through a change, and I wish him and his family all the best.” In the 64 games that Thomas was in the lineup under Bannister, he racked up 68 points and averaged 21:08 of ice time, more than a minute above the next closest Blues forward.Saquon Barkley has become the Shohei Ohtani of the NFL. There's no better home run hitter playing football right now. Barkley had touchdown runs of 72 and 70 yards for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 37-20 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. He now has five runs of 50-plus yards this season and is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley's historic performance against the Rams — his 255 yards set a team record — captivated a national audience and turned him into a fan favorite for the AP NFL MVP award. He's not the betting favorite, however. Josh Allen has the best odds at plus-150, according to Bet MGM Sportsbook. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson is next at plus-250 followed by Barkley at plus-400. Running backs have won the award 18 times, including three-time winner Jim Brown, who was the AP's first NFL MVP in 1957. Quarterbacks have dominated the award, winning it 45 times. Only three players who weren't QBs or RBs have been MVP. It takes a special season for a non-QB to win it mainly because the offense goes through the signal caller. Quarterbacks handle the ball every offensive snap, run the show and get the credit when things go well and the blame when it doesn't. Adrian Peterson was the most recent non-QB to win it when he ran for 2,097 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012. Playing for a winning team matters, too. Nine of the past 11 winners played for a No. 1 seed with the other two winners on a No. 2 seed. The Vikings earned the sixth seed when Pederson was MVP. Barkley is a major reason why the Eagles (9-2) are leading the NFC East and only trail Detroit (10-1) by one game for the top spot in the conference. Does he have a realistic chance to win the MVP award? Kicker Mark Moseley was the MVP in the strike-shortened 1982 season when he made 20 of 21 field goals and 16 of 19 extra points in nine games for Washington. If voters once selected a kicker, everyone has a chance, especially a game-changer such as Barkley. Defensive tackle Alan Page was the MVP in 1971 and linebacker Lawrence Taylor won it in 1986. Running back Christian McCaffrey finished third in voting last year and wide receiver Justin Jefferson placed fifth in 2022. The Offensive Player of the Year award and Defensive Player of the Year award recognize the best all-around players on both sides of the ball, allowing voters to recognize non-QBs if they choose. Wide receivers and running backs have won the AP OPOY award seven times over the past 11 seasons. McCaffrey was the 2023 winner. The AP's new voting format introduced in 2022 also gives non-QBs a better opportunity to get MVP recognition. Voter submit their top five picks for each award, with a weighted point system. Previously, voters made one choice for each award. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league vote for MVP and seven other awards. The awards are based on regular-season performance. The Chiefs (10-1) and Bills (9-2) already are in position to lock up postseason berths right after Thanksgiving. Kansas City clinches a playoff berth with a win over Las Vegas on Black Friday and a loss by Miami on Thursday night, or a win plus a loss by Denver on Monday night. Buffalo can wrap up a fifth straight AFC East title with a victory over San Francisco on Sunday and a loss by the Dolphins. It's not a given that the Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new head coach after this season. Owner Jerry Jones said Tuesday on local radio that Mike McCarthy could end up getting a contract extension. "I don't think that's crazy at all. This is a Super Bowl-winning coach. Mike McCarthy has been there and done that. He has great ideas. We got a lot of football left," Jones said. McCarthy led the Cowboys (4-7) to three straight 12-win seasons, but they went 1-3 in the playoffs and haven't reached the NFC championship game since winning the Super Bowl 29 years ago. Injuries have contributed to the team's struggles this season, but Dallas was just 3-5 before Dak Prescott was lost for the rest of the season. The Cowboys upset Washington last week and their next four games are against teams that currently have losing records. If they somehow end up 9-8 or even 8-9, Jones could make a case for keeping McCarthy. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Nigeria denies colluding with France to undermine NigerYoshida Yasei Reflects on Overriding Fate With Viral Hit ‘Override’ & A Year of Tremendous ChangeAs well as being enjoyable and relaxing, reading has been found to have a number of benefits for our mental health. Reading is a great way to keep your brain active and engaged, which can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s or Dementia. When you read a book, you have to remember a range of characters and their names, backgrounds, and motivations. This helps to improve your short-term memory recall, which has also been proven to help stabilize your mood. Reading a great novel or a well-written article is a good way to distance yourself from your worries, and reduce stress. It is also a great way to expand your vocabulary and improve your writing skills. Being able to articulate exactly how you feel can make you more confident, and boost your self-esteem. Regardless of what your interests are, books and magazines are great sources of entertainment. Local libraries often have a wide selection of books in a variety of genres, that you can read free of charge. If you don’t live near a library, there are also many sources online that allow you to download ebooks for free. Five Kenosha County high school seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists this fall. More than 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying of Semifinalists examination, which is an initial screen of program entrants. The National Merit Scholarship Corp. announced the semifinalists, including: VanDixhorn said it felt “pretty good” to be named a semifinalist. “I definitely had to put in some work to get there,” he said. He has been taking classes at Trinity International University in addition to his high school classes at Christian Life, and will earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics this year along with graduating high school. After both graduations, he plans to get another major and is still exploring career options. “(Professor Paul Bialek) has helped me since I was 10, basically, and I’m super grateful to him. Also, CLS definitely helped me a bit back when I was taking classes here, so I’m grateful there,” he said. “And then my mom. I was not choosing what classes I was taking. It was all my mom, so I got to give credit there.” In his free time, VanDixhorn plays violin and previously ran cross country. Weigand of Shoreland Lutheran High School posted a perfect score in the examination. “I was definitely surprised,” she said. After graduation, she plans to earn degrees in music performance and computer science. “(Earning the scholarship) would mean that I worked hard to get both the money to help pay for college and the academic recognition,” she said. While in high school, Weigand has been involved in theater, the robotics club and orchestra, where she plays the bassoon. Krumrie said he was “very excited” when he found out he was a semifinalist. “This really ends up being the summary of all the work that I’ve put in throughout the years,” he said. After graduation, he hopes to attend the University of Notre Dame to study finance. At St. Joseph, Krumrie plays soccer, runs cross country, serves as the student council president and also started a sales and marketing club to raise money for the school’s athletic association at basketball games. “I think everyone at St Joe’s has been very supportive and very encouraging over the past several years,” he said. “I think that’s what makes St Joe’s so special is a sense of everybody coming together and helping each other achieve their goals.” Pisano, who attends Westosha Central High School, said she was excited when she found out she was a semifinalist. “I knew I had a decent chance because of my PSAT score but it was still a nice surprise,” she said. After graduation, Pisano plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Outside of her studies, she runs cross country and track, is on the wrestling team, and is involved in student council, National Honor Society, geography club and the Spanish National Honor Society. Burnett, a Westosha Central student, was surprised by the news. “I knew I had done well on the PSAT, but wasn’t aware that this scholarship was available to me in the first place,” he said. “I was excited, and still am to hopefully move forward to be a finalist.” After graduation, Burnett plans to attend college. Outside of class, Burnett is involved in band, cross country, track, church choir and has played piano for 11 years. “Being a finalist would mean finally seeing a lot of hard work I’ve put in over the years pay off in a tangible, meaningful and prestigious way,” he said. According to the NMSC, to become a finalist, a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about the semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment and honors and awards. A semifinalist is required to have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT or ACT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test. Out of the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 are expected to become finalists. National Merit Scholarship 2025 winners will be announced in the spring. The 2024-25 school year has kicked off at colleges around the United States—and the number of students at campuses nationwide is growing. Undergraduate enrollment was up 2.5% in the spring, the second consecutive semester of growth, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. As enrollment stabilizes following the coronavirus pandemic and more students pursue degrees than have in years, Stacker compiled a list of the best colleges in America using Niche's 2025 rankings. All four-year schools in Niche's database were considered. Niche ranks colleges using various factors, including academics, admissions, finances, and student life. The list includes institutions public and private, from West Coast research colleges to East Coast liberal arts schools. There's also a fair share of sprawling state schools as well as religion-centric universities. These colleges offer pioneering programs in sciences, entrepreneurship, and even bagpipe performance. While some members of the list may be best known for athletic achievements, many so-called football schools are making rapid advancements in education, producing a number of Rhodes scholars and collaborating with tech industry giants. Of course, some have cool perks that few others do, including an on-campus ice cream factory or nuclear reactor. While the Ivy League is considered the cream of the crop when it comes to American colleges, that's not necessarily the case with this list. Keep reading to see which school grabbed the #1 spot. You may also like: Preschool is popular, and more school districts are adding it - Location: Columbia, South Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 27,389 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 64% - Graduation rate: 78% - Six-year median earnings: $44,900 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The Columbia campus is the flagship of the University of South Carolina system and offers over 350 degrees. It holds particular sway with literature lovers, featuring a collection of more than 1,200 Ernest Hemingway works and an expansive store of Robert Burns pieces as well. - Location: Philadelphia - Undergraduate enrollment: 12,505 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 80% - Graduation rate: 78% - Six-year median earnings: $68,800 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Drexel University was founded in 1891 as the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry. In 1983, it was the first university in the U.S. to require students to use personal computers, available to them through an innovative partnership with a major computer manufacturer. Undergraduates can take advantage of the school's co-op program, which allows them to gain up to 18 months of full-time, paid work experience. - Location: Auburn, Alabama - Undergraduate enrollment: 24,135 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 - Acceptance rate: 44% - Graduation rate: 81% - Six-year median earnings: $48,800 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Auburn University is an institution entrenched in history. After opening its doors in 1856, the school closed during the Civil War to serve as a hospital. It became the first land-grant university in the South and today is a world-class institution across the sciences, arts, and other disciplines. - Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,737 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 - Acceptance rate: 22% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $96,100 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Babson College is big on entrepreneurship. The school offers programs specializing in women's entrepreneurial leadership, family entrepreneurship, and retail supply chain management. Babson has also expanded to Miami and San Francisco. - Location: Salt Lake City - Undergraduate enrollment: 21,291 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 89% - Graduation rate: 65% - Six-year median earnings: $53,000 - Two-year employment rate: 90% The University of Utah was commissioned in 1850 when the newly arrived Mormon community decided to create a university for their new home, then called Deseret. The university maintains recognition of and connection to the Ute Indian Tribe, on whose ancestral home it is located. Ahead of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, the university made several changes that students still enjoy today, including expanding student housing and upgrading on-campus health care facilities. You may also like: In some school districts, it's the end of the snow day - Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma - Undergraduate enrollment: 18,265 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 71% - Graduation rate: 65% - Six-year median earnings: $46,500 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Oklahoma State University was founded as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College almost two decades before Oklahoma became a state. OSU is one of only five universities nationwide to have become a Sun Grant Center , using regional resources for research and education on sustainable energy. - Location: Bloomington, Indiana - Undergraduate enrollment: 34,665 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 - Acceptance rate: 82% - Graduation rate: 81% - Six-year median earnings: $47,700 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Indiana University Bloomington's name is instantly recognizable to college sports fans, who know it as home of the Hoosiers, men and women who perform nationally in soccer, basketball, swimming, and other sports. Old Crescent is an area on campus that is home to historic buildings that display architecture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including Gothic and Jacobean styles. - Location: Vestal, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 14,402 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 - Acceptance rate: 42% - Graduation rate: 83% - Six-year median earnings: $61,600 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Binghamton University is one of 64 universities making up the State University of New York system, and one spot on its 10-person governing council is reserved for a student selected by peers. For nature lovers, the campus is hard to beat. It includes a preserve with hiking trails, and rock climbing, kayaking—and winter sports are a day trip away. - Location: Portland, Oregon - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,404 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 30% - Graduation rate: 80% - Six-year median earnings: $42,200 - Two-year employment rate: 88% Reed College is not for those who want a traditional academic experience. The university forgoes grades in lieu of a pass-fail system, and there is no dean's list or honor roll. Classes tend to be small and invite close collaboration between professors and students. - Location: Rochester, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,425 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 39% - Graduation rate: 90% - Six-year median earnings: $61,200 - Two-year employment rate: 92% The University of Rochester is home to the storied Institute of Optics, the first optics education program in the nation. Its school of music also has an impressive legacy and was established by industrialist George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company. You may also like: How to keep your personal data a little more private while pursuing higher education - Location: Golden, Colorado - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,201 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 58% - Graduation rate: 82% - Six-year median earnings: $84,900 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The Colorado School of Mines boasts strong ties to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and U.S. Geological Survey. Located in the Rocky Mountains, it provides one of the most intriguing recreational atmospheres for a college, with numerous trails and ski areas nearby. Mining is not the only specialty emphasized, as the college also has programs in economics, biochemistry, and applied mathematics and statistics. - Location: Miami - Undergraduate enrollment: 26,106 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1 - Acceptance rate: 64% - Graduation rate: 69% - Six-year median earnings: $46,300 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Florida International University is split into two campuses, one in west Miami-Dade County and another along the waters of Biscayne Bay. The latter is home to a prestigious, hands-on marine biology program. Over half of the student body is Hispanic, making the school one of the most prolific for undergraduate degrees among that demographic. - Location: Clemson, South Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 21,741 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 43% - Graduation rate: 85% - Six-year median earnings: $52,400 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Clemson University is located in the Experimental Forest, with 17,500 acres reserved for education, research, and demonstration to foster an understanding of forest management. As a land-grant institution, Clemson encourages students and faculty alike to give back to the local community through their research, including on topics such as irrigation and youth bullying. - Location: Storrs, Connecticut - Undergraduate enrollment: 18,397 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 55% - Graduation rate: 83% - Six-year median earnings: $58,400 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The University of Connecticut's nationally ranked sports teams—especially in basketball—are a huge draw for students and alums. The school's relatively rural setting leads to a strong culture and plenty of on-campus activities, with over 450 clubs and a popular Greek life scene. This vibe is on display during the annual Spring Weekend, a pre-exams carnival that started in the 1940s. - Location: San Antonio - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,482 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 31% - Graduation rate: 76% - Six-year median earnings: $54,900 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Trinity University has historically ranked high for its undergraduate research, undergraduate engineering program, and schoolwide innovation. It's widely considered the best small college in Texas—backed up by Niche's #1 ranking in that category —and among the best small colleges in the U.S. You may also like: Largest college campuses in the US by acreage - Location: Washington D.C.· - Undergraduate enrollment: 10,332 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 49% - Graduation rate: 85% - Six-year median earnings: $69,600 - Two-year employment rate: 92% In addition to top-tier academics, George Washington University boasts unique internships and myriad service opportunities. GW has more than 475 student organizations that cater to a variety of student interests and experiences, and 2 in 5 undergraduates study abroad. - Location: Hamilton, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 3,112 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $63,600 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Located in the quaint village of Hamilton in upstate New York, Colgate University is an oasis away from the bustle of the big city. Highlights on campus include the Longyear Museum of Anthropology and the Picker Art Gallery, with a focus on 20th-century paper works, photographs, and paintings. Colgate has over 200 clubs and organizations. - Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,110 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1 - Acceptance rate: 28% - Graduation rate: 88% - Six-year median earnings: $47,600 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Though the backdrop of the Twin Cities provides plenty of plush scenery, Macalester College encourages study away experiences to develop scholarship, internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society, with nearly 60% of students taking part. The college has a commitment to sustainability, with the residential EcoHouse serving as a live-in laboratory. - Location: East Lansing, Michigan - Undergraduate enrollment: 37,492 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 - Acceptance rate: 88% - Graduation rate: 82% - Six-year median earnings: $53,600 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Michigan State University was the first school in the country to be named a land-grant institution under the Morrill Act in 1862. Today, that tradition of agricultural focus is still alive: MSU has one of the only environmental journalism programs in the nation as well as an organic farm overseen by students. - Location: Williamsburg, Virginia - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,887 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 33% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $58,500 - Two-year employment rate: 94% William & Mary's law school is the oldest in the U.S.—dating to 1779. The college also has several improv comedy groups, and Jon Stewart happens to be an alum. The Christmas season is widely celebrated on campus, with the school president dressing up as Santa Claus at the annual Yule Log ceremony. You may also like: Coalition maintains undocumented kids have a right to attend public schools - Location: Lewiston, Maine - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,712 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 14% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $59,200 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Known for the 19th-century buildings on its historic quad, Bates College could be the prototype of a small New England college. Students can study in conjunction with schools such as Columbia, Dartmouth, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Those who are inspired by movement can see professional performances at the annual Bates Dance Festival. - Location: Piscataway, New Jersey - Undergraduate enrollment: 34,667 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 66% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $57,900 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Rutgers University–New Brunswick is woven into the New Jersey landscape, with five campuses around the region. The school was named after Revolutionary War Col. Henry Rutgers. It is particularly well known for its Graduate School of Education, and students can also pursue studies at the Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation and New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. - Location: Poughkeepsie, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,436 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 19% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $54,600 - Two-year employment rate: 93% This former women's college is one of the better-known liberal arts schools on the East Coast. Vassar College boasts its own ecological preserve along with several historic buildings. Also appealing: Students receive an average financial aid award of $51,508 , with the school meeting 100% of demonstrated need. - Location: Amherst, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 22,920 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1 - Acceptance rate: 64% - Graduation rate: 83% - Six-year median earnings: $51,400 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship of the UMass system and includes the tallest academic library in the world, the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. Under the Five College Interchange, students can take courses at nearby Smith, Mount Holyoke, Amherst, and Hampshire colleges. Besides typical offerings, UMass Amherst also allows students to design their own majors through the bachelor's degree with individual concentration program. - Location: Cleveland - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,907 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 27% - Graduation rate: 86% - Six-year median earnings: $74,600 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Case Western Reserve University is known for its excellent social work and nursing schools. Located in the heart of Cleveland, Case Western has affiliations with many city businesses, and students can register for courses at the Cleveland Institute of Art and the Cleveland Institute of Music. You may also like: 6 hidden (and not-so-hidden) factors driving America's student absenteeism crisis - Location: Orlando, Florida - Undergraduate enrollment: 41,098 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 26:1 - Acceptance rate: 41% - Graduation rate: 76% - Six-year median earnings: $45,400 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Colloquially known as "Space University," the University of Central Florida has strong ties to the U.S. space program at the nearby Kennedy Space Center. The school was founded as Florida Technological University with an explicit focus on STEM education. Though its curriculum has since expanded, today the university is still involved with nearly 700 NASA projects. - Location: Middletown, Connecticut - Undergraduate enrollment: 3,006 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 14% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $54,700 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Wesleyan University's 316-acre campus in the middle of New England has educated Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bill Belichick, and Michael Bay. For almost 100 years, Wesleyan has had a thriving theater program, and since 1995 it has provided full tuition to students from Asia with the Freeman Asian Scholarship Program. - Location: Clinton, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,026 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $60,200 - Two-year employment rate: 91% All Hamilton College students live in residence halls to foster community. They study with an open curriculum and can skate on Sage Rink, the second-oldest college ice arena in the country. Venus Williams, Tina Fey, and Hillary Clinton are among the renowned figures to speak on campus. - Location: Columbus, Ohio - Undergraduate enrollment: 42,360 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 53% - Graduation rate: 88% - Six-year median earnings: $46,100 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The Ohio State University is notable for its aerospace engineering program and investment in research. Students have been at the forefront of electric vehicle technology, and the school maintains a collegiate campus feel within the big city of Columbus. - Location: New Orleans - Undergraduate enrollment: 8,231 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 11% - Graduation rate: 87% - Six-year median earnings: $61,700 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Tulane University has a strong bond with the city of New Orleans, particularly after Hurricane Katrina. Its medical and law schools are some of the oldest in the country, and students rank among the happiest in the nation, according to The Princeton Review. You may also like: For a second year, FAFSA will again be delayed - Location: Amherst, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,898 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $65,000 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Amherst College is repeatedly recognized as one of the top liberal arts schools in the country. Students can take advantage of an open curriculum with no core requirements. Amherst is home to the Beneski Museum of Natural History and a 500-acre wildlife sanctuary. - Location: Pittsburgh - Undergraduate enrollment: 19,291 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 49% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $53,900 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The University of Pittsburgh comprises 16 schools and colleges that offer over 650 degree and certificate programs. The school boasts an internship initiative that helps students gain real-world experience in their fields. Founded in 1787, it was a log cabin before becoming a top-five supporter of National Institutes of Health research. - Location: Haverford, Pennsylvania - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,419 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 14% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $60,700 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Haverford College emphasizes discussion and debate with seminar-style classes, and 98% of students as well as 40% of faculty live on campus. The school is known for students' input on the honor code, hiring committees, and budgets and also features an arboretum. - Location: Raleigh, North Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 23,828 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 47% - Graduation rate: 85% - Six-year median earnings: $52,500 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Located in the Research Triangle, North Carolina State University is a leader in education about textiles, agriculture and life sciences, and engineering. The school has helped launch hundreds of startups that have received $1.7 billion in venture capital and get thousands of patents approved, leading to 600-plus consumer products. - Location: Minneapolis - Undergraduate enrollment: 29,057 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 75% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $51,900 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The University of Minnesota has a sprawling campus in the Twin Cities, and Bob Dylan was briefly a student. Twenty-five Gophers have won a Nobel Prize, and three faculty have earned a Pulitzer Prize. Others invented GORE-TEX and K-rations, and the school is a leader with its Stem Cell Institute and Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. You may also like: The best computer science universities in Asia - Location: Blacksburg, Virginia - Undergraduate enrollment: 29,569 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 57% - Graduation rate: 86% - Six-year median earnings: $62,500 - Two-year employment rate: 96% Virginia Tech has its own power plant and is also a leading center for automotive research with its Transportation Institute. The school will open its Innovation Campus—a space dedicated to startups, public agencies, and corporations that is six years in the making—in 2025. - Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,087 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 23% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $77,900 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Located just outside of Philadelphia, Villanova University is centered in the Augustinian tradition. Its business school consistently places near the top of rankings, and its men's basketball program is accomplished as well. The college provides faith-based learning as well as service experiences, including the largest student-run Special Olympics in the world. - Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,391 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 21% - Graduation rate: 90% - Six-year median earnings: $63,800 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Studying abroad is a focus at Wake Forest University, where 3 in 5 students take classes overseas. The campus has its own charms, too, with its stunning architecture and natural beauty. Innovation Quarter is a center of collaboration with 90 health care, research, technology, and other companies, including many in health care, research and technology. - Location: Santa Barbara, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 22,793 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1 - Acceptance rate: 26% - Graduation rate: 86% - Six-year median earnings: $55,300 - Two-year employment rate: 91% The Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics is a centerpiece of the University of California, Santa Barbara. As much as 70% of the student body gets around the scenic campus by bike, attending classes in esteemed buildings such as the Institute for Social, Behavioral and Economic Research. - Location: College Station, Texas - Undergraduate enrollment: 51,150 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 - Acceptance rate: 63% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $58,000 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Texas A&M University is one of six senior military colleges in the U.S., and the Corps of Cadets prepares those students for leadership and organizational management roles. The school also hosts the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum and has maintained a long partnership with NASA. You may also like: They thought graduation was near. Instead, these immigrant students were pressured to transfer. - Location: Tampa, Florida - Undergraduate enrollment: 30,097 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 44% - Graduation rate: 74% - Six-year median earnings: $43,500 - Two-year employment rate: 91% The University of South Florida earns high marks for its research and innovation and has top graduate programs in industrial and organizational psychology, criminology, audiology, and more. USF is also one of 18 Tillman Partnership Universities, which offer an array of veteran-specific support services. - Location: Madison, Wisconsin - Undergraduate enrollment: 33,838 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 49% - Graduation rate: 89% - Six-year median earnings: $56,200 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The University of Wisconsin is a hub of innovation where vitamins A and B were discovered. It is also known for its Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center and on-campus nuclear reactor, which is used for research and teaching. Few college events are as iconic as Jump Around at Badgers football games. - Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,624 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 37% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $81,900 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science is a centerpiece of academic study at Lehigh University, which is nestled in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, not too far from Philadelphia and New York City. Students at the engineering school went on to invent the escalator and first implantable artificial heart and found Packard Motor Car Company. - Location: College Park, Maryland - Undergraduate enrollment: 28,069 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 45% - Graduation rate: 89% - Six-year median earnings: $62,900 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Located just outside of Washington D.C., the University of Maryland, College Park is a top public research institution. In 2016, the school became the first Do Good campus, equipping students to become civic-minded and lead nonprofit causes and social innovation. The college ranks highly for its programs in quantum science, artificial intelligence, and climate change. - Location: Coral Gables, Florida - Undergraduate enrollment: 12,570 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 19% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $60,100 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Don't let the proximity to South Beach and stories of partying fool you; the University of Miami is a leading center of academic study. Miami has top-flight programs in oceanography, medicine, and climate change. And yes, the main campus in Coral Gables is located near the beach. You may also like: Demand for sustainability, AI, and equity and inclusion courses are on the rise globally among prospective business students - Location: West Lafayette, Indiana - Undergraduate enrollment: 36,484 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1 - Acceptance rate: 53% - Graduation rate: 83% - Six-year median earnings: $55,100 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Twenty-seven astronauts attended Purdue University, including Neil Armstrong. The school also boasts America's first university-owned airport, which provides the perfect setting for an elite flight school. The Online Writing Lab has set an industry standard in grammar and style, too. - Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 9,575 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 17% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $72,500 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Boston College hosts a famous Arts Festival as well as a plethora of dance competitions. The Carroll School of Management is a top business program, and BC is also a top Jesuit, Catholic and liberal arts institution. Founded in 1863, it was the first school of higher education to operate in Boston. - Location: Tallahassee, Florida - Undergraduate enrollment: 29,579 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1 - Acceptance rate: 25% - Graduation rate: 85% - Six-year median earnings: $46,400 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Florida State University is a preeminent research university, a designation earned from the state, with four international study centers. It has taught a number of Rhodes scholars and offers esteemed instruction in criminology and criminal justice, education, and motion picture arts. Bonus: FSU has its own circus . - Location: Brunswick, Maine - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,845 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 9% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $65,500 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Bowdoin College trumpets its cooperative environment with dozens of areas of study. Students focus on brainstorming with faculty, working in teams, and welcoming difficult questions. Graduates are frequently employed by Google, the U.S. government, financial institutions, and hospitals. Another perk: SAT scores are optional for admission. - Location: Lexington, Virginia - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,887 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 17% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $76,100 - Two-year employment rate: 94% One of Washington and Lee University's hallmarks is its small class size and access to faculty. The school, the ninth-oldest in the country, dates to 1749 and offers a small but outstanding law program. Additionally, it is the only leading liberal arts college in the country with a nationally accredited undergraduate business program too. You may also like: What difference does it make if you are involved in your student's school and its activities and events? - Location: Athens, Georgia - Undergraduate enrollment: 28,823 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 43% - Graduation rate: 88% - Six-year median earnings: $50,500 - Two-year employment rate: 92% The University of Georgia's business school was the first of its kind in the South, and it remains a top institution in the field. The College of Environment and Design also consistently ranks among the nation's best and confers degrees in landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban planning, and environmental design. In athletics, UGA is all about football. - Location: Davis, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 30,673 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1 - Acceptance rate: 37% - Graduation rate: 86% - Six-year median earnings: $58,200 - Two-year employment rate: 91% The University of California, Davis offers more than 100 majors. For those interested in pursuing medical studies, UC Davis has a renowned program with hands-on training in a teaching hospital. Research is a major part of the fabric of the school, which received over $1 billion in external research funding for the third straight year in 2023-24 . - Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,316 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 14% - Graduation rate: 90% - Six-year median earnings: $60,800 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Wellesley College, known as the best women's school in the world, emphasizes civic engagement, and a young alum holds a spot on the board of trustees. The Albright Institute, Davis Museum, and Wellesley Centers for Women offer educational and exclusive programming to the community. Students can also cross-register for classes at nearby MIT. - Location: Seattle - Undergraduate enrollment: 29,226 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 48% - Graduation rate: 84% - Six-year median earnings: $57,700 - Two-year employment rate: 91% If the picturesque campus in Seattle isn't enough to entice you, the University of Washington has strong networks with Boeing, Amazon, and Microsoft. The school is also investing heavily in its health sciences program and is known for its research in education, public affairs, and business. - Location: Middlebury, Vermont - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,835 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 13% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $58,200 - Two-year employment rate: 87% Middlebury College is recognized for its environmental studies program, which began in 1965 as the first of its kind in the U.S. The school committed to taking action on climate change with its Energy2028 initiative to use 100% renewable energy sources by the end of that year. It also owns its own ski area, the Middlebury Snowbowl. You may also like: Community schools work to boost student performance by meeting their non-academic needs - Location: Medford, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,635 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 10% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $75,800 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Tufts University students have a variety of activities at their disposal, including with the Geological Society and popular a cappella groups. Its art collection features works from Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, and the university has partnerships with Harvard, MIT, and more. - Location: New York City - Undergraduate enrollment: 3,091 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1 - Acceptance rate: 9% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $57,900 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Located across the street from Columbia University, Barnard College offers the same privileges to its students. The Barnard Center for Research on Women and the Athena Film Festival are two celebrated resources on campus. A center for teaching and learning, which opened in 2018, has given the school its own distinctive hub. - Location: La Jolla, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 32,138 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1 - Acceptance rate: 24% - Graduation rate: 88% - Six-year median earnings: $59,900 - Two-year employment rate: 89% The University of California San Diego is one of the top research universities in the world and received $1.73 billion in funding for fiscal year 2024. UC San Diego boasts renowned faculty, including 16 Nobel laureates throughout the school's history. Students are also focused on civic engagement and public service. - Location: Champaign, Illinois - Undergraduate enrollment: 33,813 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 45% - Graduation rate: 85% - Six-year median earnings: $61,500 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign counts dozens of Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners among its alumni and faculty. The school offers one of the largest public university libraries in the world, with more than 15 million volumes and 24 million other items. It is highly regarded for its leading research in technology, agriculture, and government policy. - Location: Austin, Texas - Undergraduate enrollment: 38,591 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1 - Acceptance rate: 31% - Graduation rate: 88% - Six-year median earnings: $58,200 - Two-year employment rate: 93% University of Texas at Austin students can take advantage of the McDonald Observatory, one of many prestigious facilities at this state school. The campus has a wealth of museums, from the LBJ Presidential Library to the Blanton Museum of Art, and you might even catch Matthew McConaughey at a Longhorns football game. Outside of campus, students can partake in the capital's cultural institutions, such as South by Southwest and Franklin Barbecue. You may also like: When it comes to using AI, nursing students trust themselves to use it correctly—but not their peers or administrators - Location: Irvine, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 27,932 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1 - Acceptance rate: 21% - Graduation rate: 87% - Six-year median earnings: $58,400 - Two-year employment rate: 90% The University of California, Irvine is consistently one of the top-ranked public universities in the country. It has a particularly well-regarded medical program and supports research and innovation across disciplines. The school is also another that houses a nuclear reactor on campus. - Location: Davidson, North Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,927 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 17% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $58,900 - Two-year employment rate: 88% Davidson College, just north of Charlotte, North Carolina, is known for its tight-knit community, which comes together for events including flickerball—a variation of touch football created on campus in 1951. The Farm teaches students about sustainable growth and provides them with fresh produce. - Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,625 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $56,700 - Two-year employment rate: 85% Swarthmore College has several sustainability initiatives, with the goal of becoming a zero-waste campus by 2035. The 300-acre Scott Arboretum is a highlight of the 425-acre grounds, located 11 miles from Philadelphia, and the Peaslee Debate Society is among the popular extracurricular options. - Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 2,146 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 8% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $59,000 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Fraternities no longer exist at Williams College, but more than 1 in 3 students participates in intercollegiate sports. Nearly everyone engages in clubs or activities, and the school has an exclusive program with the University of Oxford. January is dedicated to winter study, when students pursue one single subject on a pass-fail basis, conduct research, land an internship, or travel. - Location: Notre Dame, Indiana - Undergraduate enrollment: 8,953 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 13% - Graduation rate: 96% - Six-year median earnings: $78,400 - Two-year employment rate: 95% The University of Notre Dame combines Catholic and intellectual pursuits in a leading school known for its theology and philosophy departments. The college is a top undergraduate teaching institution and research center, and the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art and the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center provide insightful programming. The campus also has more than 60 chapels. You may also like: Best colleges for LGBTQ+ students in 2024 - Location: Berkeley, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 30,824 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 11% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $64,700 - Two-year employment rate: 88% Often considered the top public university in the country, the University of California, Berkeley has many Nobel Prize winners among its alumni and faculty and has produced the most Peace Corps volunteers—almost 4,000. With many important projects emanating from the Space Sciences Laboratory, and a history of entrepreneurship, students often become leaders in their fields. - Location: New York City - Undergraduate enrollment: 28,354 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 87% - Six-year median earnings: $61,900 - Two-year employment rate: 91% New York University has more international students and those studying abroad than any school in America. It draws creatives and filmmakers to its chic campus centered in historic Greenwich Village. The school offers a range of unique courses , from its Center for Disability Studies to classes on injustice, disaster nursing and emergency preparedness, and the New York Underground. - Location: Atlanta - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,022 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 11% - Graduation rate: 90% - Six-year median earnings: $66,000 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Emory University is internationally known for its liberal arts colleges, graduate and professional schools, and academic health care system. The Goizueta Business School is consistently ranked as one of the nation's best. The Carter Center, created by former President Jimmy Carter, offers internships and lectures throughout the year. - Location: Gainesville, Florida - Undergraduate enrollment: 31,017 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1 - Acceptance rate: 23% - Graduation rate: 90% - Six-year median earnings: $56,000 - Two-year employment rate: 92% The University of Florida hosts the most powerful supercomputer owned by a college in the country, and all students are taught about artificial intelligence. Accelerate at Sid Martin Biotech is a business incubator affiliated with the school, and UF Innovate offers other research- and innovation-oriented programs. - Location: Boston - Undergraduate enrollment: 16,278 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $67,400 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Northeastern University is regularly considered one of the best colleges for co-op and internship experiences. It has 13 campuses in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom and 3,500 employer partners around the world. Fields of study include robotics research and chemical imaging. You may also like: Just one-third of students say college is worth the cost - Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 19,939 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1 - Acceptance rate: 17% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $55,600 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's medical programs, particularly in dentistry and pharmacy, receive high praise. The school prides itself on teaching, research, and public service as well as carrying on a storied history and tradition; it opened in 1795. - Location: Los Angeles - Undergraduate enrollment: 20,185 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $74,000 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Located in southwest Los Angeles, the University of Southern California has a network of over 480,000 living alumni for making connections in Hollywood and elsewhere. George Lucas and Robert Zemeckis are just some of the directors to attend the School of Cinematic Arts. The Spirit of Troy marching band is one of the best in the nation. - Location: Claremont, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,380 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 10% - Graduation rate: 91% - Six-year median earnings: $72,900 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Located 30 miles east of Los Angeles, Claremont McKenna College, despite encompassing only 1 square mile, has plenty on campus to keep students busy, including the Athenaeum, which hosts a variety of speakers four nights a week. This small school has close student-faculty bonds, as about 75% of students engage in research with faculty. - Location: Charlottesville, Virginia - Undergraduate enrollment: 16,523 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 19% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $61,200 - Two-year employment rate: 94% The University of Virginia is a public school that earns high marks for its business program and hospital. The college has counted $2.76 billion in research proposal activity in 2024, with the Data Science Institute and Biocomplexity Institute and Initiative anchoring that area. - Location: Atlanta - Undergraduate enrollment: 16,207 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1 - Acceptance rate: 17% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $79,100 - Two-year employment rate: 95% Centered in Atlanta, the Georgia Institute of Technology has a top-ranked undergraduate engineering program. It produces the most women and underrepresented minorities with engineering degrees in the nation, and the Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Machines breaks ground in autonomy, medical robotics and human augmentation, and collaborative robotics. You may also like: Public schooling is best in these US cities - Location: Boston - Undergraduate enrollment: 17,734 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 14% - Graduation rate: 89% - Six-year median earnings: $65,300 - Two-year employment rate: 93% Located in one of America's busiest college cities, Boston University offers a mix of big city buildings and intimate brownstones. It stands on accessible education and prioritizes research, artistic creation, and professional practice. The school is also home to the Boston Playwrights' Theatre and easily accessible from most parts of the city by public transportation. - Location: Claremont, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,739 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $58,100 - Two-year employment rate: 90% Despite its small size, Pomona College—one of five Claremont Colleges—has more than 250 clubs and organizations, and 94% of students live on campus for four years, creating a tight-knit atmosphere. Near Los Angeles in a bucolic mountain setting, students enjoy skiing and beaches, including the annual Ski-Beach Day. The school also has an art museum and eight music ensembles. - Location: Pittsburgh - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,858 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 11% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $83,600 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Carnegie Mellon University students study topics including brain science and driverless vehicles, with the latter pursuit having begun four decades ago. It is commonly recognized for its premier computer science, business, and engineering programs and boasts a highly respected drama program. It is one of the only schools to offer a degree in bagpipe performance. - Location: Princeton, New Jersey - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,540 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 6% - Graduation rate: 97% - Six-year median earnings: $74,700 - Two-year employment rate: 87% Ninety-six percent of students live on campus at Princeton University, which is in downtown Princeton and a short train ride to New York City and Philadelphia. Noted for its economics and engineering departments, Princeton also thrives in modern sciences such as plasma physics, and a quantum science center has been in the works for years. Eating clubs are at an intersection of social life and tradition. - Location: Chicago - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,563 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1 - Acceptance rate: 5% - Graduation rate: 96% - Six-year median earnings: $68,100 - Two-year employment rate: 92% The University of Chicago has been instrumental in pioneering various cancer treatments, discovering new dinosaur species, and proposing the existence of black holes. The school hosts Frank Lloyd Wright's Robie House, a National Historic Landmark and part of a UNESCO World Heritage inscription. The school also has a long tradition of nurturing successful improv comedy troupes. You may also like: FAFSA complications impact college-related decisions for 79% of first-gen applicants - Location: Saint Louis - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,445 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $70,100 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Students at Washington University in St. Louis come from over 110 countries, and 8 in 10 undergraduates pursue multiple majors or minors. WashU received $978 million in sponsored support in 2023 for medical, environmental and energy, innovation and entrepreneurial, plant science, and other research. The university also has nine libraries and its own art museum. - Location: Claremont, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 906 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 13% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $88,800 - Two-year employment rate: 89% Harvey Mudd College focuses on engineering, science, and math, offering real-world experience through its Clinic Program. Students regularly engage in elaborate pranks . Ski slopes are less than 30 minutes away, beaches less than an hour, and the desert 90 minutes. - Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan - Undergraduate enrollment: 31,319 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 18% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $63,400 - Two-year employment rate: 94% In 2023, the University of Michigan produced 580 inventions and 25 business startups. U-M regularly lands among the schools with the most research volume, has a top academic medical center and multiple renowned graduate programs, and scores well in affordability with its financial aid. Michigan Stadium is the largest in the country with a capacity for 109,901 fans. - Location: Ithaca, New York - Undergraduate enrollment: 15,735 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $77,200 - Two-year employment rate: 93% For decades, Cornell University has been vital to space exploration to Mars and advancements in agriculture and farming. Though centered in Ithaca, Cornell has several facilities in New York City and two programs overseas. Gatherings at ice hockey games are full of traditions , and they can be followed by a trip to the Cornell Dairy for ice cream. - Location: Los Angeles - Undergraduate enrollment: 31,763 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 9% - Graduation rate: 92% - Six-year median earnings: $60,700 - Two-year employment rate: 89% The University of California, Los Angeles offers more than 140 majors and receives over $1.6 billion annually in competitive grants and contracts. The perfectly situated campus is regularly used as a filming location and hosts several large gatherings throughout the year, including the JazzReggae Festival. Bruins athletic teams have won 124 national championships—the second-most all-time. You may also like: Where graduation rates for students with disabilities are improving - Location: Houston - Undergraduate enrollment: 4,150 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 9% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $65,400 - Two-year employment rate: 92% An oak tree-lined sanctuary in the middle of bustling Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked near the top of lists that gauge students' quality of life. Rice has been a leader in artificial heart research and other sciences and maintains a close partnership with NASA. It was modeled after English universities, with eight residential colleges. - Location: Pasadena, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 982 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1 - Acceptance rate: 3% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $85,900 - Two-year employment rate: 89% The California Institute of Technology is home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Einstein Papers Project, a seismological laboratory, and an international observatory network. Every Halloween, students combine their interest in sciences with recreation, smashing pumpkins from the top of Caltech Hall. The student body is famous for its pranks. - Location: Durham, North Carolina - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,435 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 6% - Graduation rate: 97% - Six-year median earnings: $84,400 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Duke University's law and medical schools regularly rank near the top of lists, and the Levine Science Research Center—one of the country's largest single-site interdisciplinary research facilities—is impressive too. Duke University Chapel is a center for campus events and religious services, and Cameron Indoor Stadium offers a premier sporting environment. - Location: Washington D.C. - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,187 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 12% - Graduation rate: 96% - Six-year median earnings: $93,500 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Catholic and Jesuit university, is home to the largest student-run business in the world, The Corp, and the oldest continuously running student theater group, Mask and Bauble. Its business school launched the Venture Lab for students to incubate ideas and startups. Located in Washington D.C., students are connected to a bevy of internship opportunities with private businesses and local, state, and federal governments. - Location: Evanston, Illinois - Undergraduate enrollment: 8,794 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 97% - Six-year median earnings: $69,000 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Northwestern University's journalism program has a century-long tradition of producing quality reporters. The school's business and materials science and engineering programs are also highly regarded, while research remains its backbone—with $2.6 billion in revenue from patents and intellectual property licensing. Located outside of Chicago, Northwestern combines suburban tranquility with a big-city feel. You may also like: Laws and loopholes still perpetuate school segregation across America - Location: Baltimore - Undergraduate enrollment: 5,644 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 1:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 94% - Six-year median earnings: $73,200 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Johns Hopkins University is one of the preeminent schools for studying medicine. For 44 consecutive years it has led U.S. colleges in research and development spending, and it counts 29 Nobel Prize winners among its associates. The school also runs programs in conjunction with NASA, and the Spring Fair is one of the largest such gatherings in the nation. - Location: Nashville, Tennessee - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,082 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 93% - Six-year median earnings: $69,000 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Vanderbilt University is one of the world's most innovative institutions. From 2014-2023, it launched 61 startups and had 593 patents and 923 licenses issued, and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization continues to break ground. Vanderbilt was ranked #1 by The Princeton Review in students' quality of life and is also known for its medical center and music school. - Location: Providence, Rhode Island - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,189 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1 - Acceptance rate: 5% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $67,500 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Brown University is well known for its open curriculum, which encourages creative thinkers, intellectual risk-takers, and entrepreneurial problem-solvers. The Carney Institute for Brain Science and the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society provide unique perspectives to important fields of study. The university values its relationship with Providence, and more than 420 students work or volunteer every year in the city's public schools. - Location: Hanover, New Hampshire - Undergraduate enrollment: 4,457 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1 - Acceptance rate: 6% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $75,500 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Dartmouth College allows students to customize their academic schedules. This Ivy League institution has an abundance of centers for arts and culture as well as various technology and science institutes. Each year, it hosts a Winter Carnival and a Powwow celebrating Indigenous history. - Location: Philadelphia - Undergraduate enrollment: 10,412 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1 - Acceptance rate: 7% - Graduation rate: 96% - Six-year median earnings: $85,900 - Two-year employment rate: 91% Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania—including more than 5,000 faculty at 195 centers and institutes—have a budget of $1.37 billion in 2024, focusing on medicine, technology, business, and science. Penn was founded in 1740 and has four undergraduate and 12 graduate schools, including the distinguished Wharton School. Its arts and culture and Philly attractions are nearly limitless, and then, of course, there's "Ben on the Bench." You may also like: Room scans and eye detectors: Robocops are watching your kids take online exams - Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,516 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1 - Acceptance rate: 3% - Graduation rate: 98% - Six-year median earnings: $89,700 - Two-year employment rate: 89% Harvard University, which dates to 1636, was the first college in the American colonies, and it remains a bastion of success. The school has educated eight U.S. presidents and in 2022 earmarked $100 million to address its history with slavery . Harvard has over 450 organizations and offers 42 varsity sports, the most in the country. The Harvard Lampoon humor magazine has been entertaining (and infuriating) students for almost 150 years. - Location: New York City - Undergraduate enrollment: 8,263 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 4% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $83,300 - Two-year employment rate: 89% Columbia University is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, near a variety of parks and landmarks. The students form a melting pot, with 17% from international locales and 13% from domestic small towns. Campus media outlets such as the Columbia Daily Spectator, WKCR, and Bwog captivate readers and listeners throughout the city. For decades, students have started protests that have made national headlines. - Location: Stanford, California - Undergraduate enrollment: 7,761 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 4% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $94,000 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Located in Silicon Valley in Northern California, Stanford University has strong bonds with tech giants such as Google, which was founded by Stanford students. It has seven schools and is known for its acclaimed education, engineering, law, and business programs; theater and music groups; and the Solar Car Project . The university also has a storied athletic program, and its athletes have won hundreds of Olympic medals . - Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts - Undergraduate enrollment: 4,601 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1 - Acceptance rate: 4% - Graduation rate: 95% - Six-year median earnings: $104,700 - Two-year employment rate: 94% Students and researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are always on the cutting edge of modern technology. Among the highlights of this school are the Haystack Observatory, Media Lab ( designed by alum I. M. Pei ), and MIT.nano. MIT has acres of stunning scenery, from quiet Cambridge streets to the futuristic layout of Simmons Hall, and a striking public art collection. - Location: New Haven, Connecticut - Undergraduate enrollment: 6,594 - Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1 - Acceptance rate: 5% - Graduation rate: 98% - Six-year median earnings: $83,200 - Two-year employment rate: 92% Thirty percent of the Yale University student body hails from abroad, creating a diverse mix on the neo-Gothic campus nestled in downtown New Haven. Yale has 14 residential colleges and is known for its law, art, nursing, drama, environment, and divinity schools, among others. Founded in 1701, it has many revered traditions, including Class Day , which features prizes and awards, ivy, churchwarden pipes, hats, and more. Story editing by Mike Taylor. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire and Lois Hince. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. 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Citi made a minority investment in mortgage infrastructure provider Pylon . In addition, the companies are working together to provide Pylon customers with direct access to Citi’s institutional-grade products and rates by integrating the liquidity offered by Citi’s mortgage trading desk directly into the Pylon platform, the companies said in a Tuesday (Nov. 26) press release . “Pylon’s next-generation, multi-product platform is built on an intelligent core,” Patrick Brett , head of Citi SPRINT Investments, said in the release. “We’re excited to launch this strategic initiative and deliver the scale of our industry-leading Spread Products business to Pylon.” Citi invested jointly through its Spread Products Investment Technologies (SPRINT) unit and Citi Ventures , according to the release . It joined Pylon’s existing investors Conversion Capital , Allegis Capital , Peter Thiel , QED and Fifth Wall . Pylon was founded in 2022 and serves wealth management, homebuilding, servicers, banks and select lenders, per the release. The company’s platform delivers programmatic originations and capital through APIs. The investment from Citi is a “significant milestone” for the mortgage infrastructure provider, Pylon founder and CEO Trent Hedge said in the release. “Our connectivity with Citi’s mortgage trading desk delivers the same unobstructed access to Wall Street that was previously only available to the largest market participants,” Hedge said. Meanwhile, mortgages and other credit are getting harder to come by. The Credit Access Survey released Nov. 18 by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York showed that while demand was on par with previous readings, credit applications were rejected at the highest rate since the start of the survey in 2013. “Reported rejection rates for credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, credit card limit extension applications and mortgage loan refinance applications all rose in 2024,” the New York Fed said in a press release that accompanied the data. With many younger buyers finding themselves priced out of the housing market, the age of a typical homebuyer has reached an all-time high of 56, according to data from the National Association of Realtors ’ 2024 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers .