Explore the 2020 Best National Universities
Learn about the best National Universities.
A quality education from a top college can lead to many career opportunities for graduates. The best National Universities include a mix of public and private research institutions that offer a diverse range of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. Find out which schools topped the 2020 Best National Universities rankings.
20. University of California--Los Angeles
Total undergraduate enrollment: 31,577
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $13,226 (in-state); $42,218 (out-of-state)
Regular decision application deadline: Nov. 30
More about the University of California--Los Angeles.
19. Washington University in St. Louis
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,751
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $55,292
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Washington University in St. Louis.
17 (tie). Cornell University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 15,182
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $57,222
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Cornell University.
17 (tie). Rice University (TX)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,992
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $49,112
Regular decision application deadline: Jan.1
More about Rice University.
15 (tie). University of Notre Dame (IN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,617
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $55,553
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about University of Notre Dame.
15 (tie). Vanderbilt University (TN)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,861
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $52,070
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Vanderbilt University.
14. Brown University (RI)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,043
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $58,504
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Brown University.
12 (tie). California Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 948
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $54,600
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about the California Institute of Technology.
12 (tie). Dartmouth College (NH)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,417
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $57,204
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Dartmouth College.
10 (tie). Duke University (NC)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,682
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $58,198
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3
More about Duke University.
10 (tie). Johns Hopkins University (MD)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,064
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $55,350
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Johns Hopkins University.
9. Northwestern University (IL)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,231
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $56,691
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Northwestern University.
6 (tie). Stanford University (CA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,087
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $53,529
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Stanford University.
6 (tie). University of Chicago
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,552
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $59,298
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about the University of Chicago.
6 (tie). University of Pennsylvania
Total undergraduate enrollment: 10,183
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $57,770
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 5
More about the University of Pennsylvania.
3 (tie). Columbia University (NY)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,202
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $61,850
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Columbia University.
3 (tie). Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,602
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $53,790
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
3 (tie). Yale University (CT)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,964
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $55,500
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2
More about Yale University.
2. Harvard University (MA)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,788
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $51,925
Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1
More about Harvard University.
1. Princeton University (NJ)
Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,428
2019-2020 tuition and fees: $51,870
Regular decision application deadline: Jan.1
More about Princeton University.
Learn more about the Best Colleges rankings.
Check out the complete 2020 Best Colleges rankings, which include exclusive lists such as A-plus Schools for B Students and Best Value Schools. Sign up for our newsletter to get tips for parents helping teens apply to college. Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter, and use the #BestColleges hashtag to share your thoughts on the rankings.
These are the top National Universities of 2020.
-- 1. Princeton University
-- 2. Harvard University
-- 3 (tie). Columbia University
-- 3 (tie). Massachusetts Institute of Technology
-- 3 (tie). Yale University
-- 6 (tie). Stanford University
-- 6 (tie). University of Chicago
-- 6 (tie). University of Pennsylvania
-- 9. Northwestern University
-- 10 (tie). Duke University
-- 10 (tie). Johns Hopkins University
-- 12 (tie). California Institute of Technology
-- 12 (tie). Dartmouth College
-- 14. Brown University
-- 15 (tie). University of Notre Dame
-- 15 (tie). Vanderbilt University
-- 17 (tie). Cornell University
-- 17 (tie). Rice University
-- 19. Washington University in St. Louis
-- 20. University of California--Los Angeles
Nancy Pham is a senior digital producer for the Consumer Advice team at U.S. News. You can email her at npham@usnews.com.
