1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1861. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,503, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 168 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Massachusetts Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 7. Its tuition and fees are $43,498 (2013-14).

MIT is located in Cambridge, Mass., across the Charles River from downtown Boston. Only freshmen students are required to live on campus, but about 70 percent of students choose to remain on campus during their four years. MIT offers housing in one of the coolest dorms in the country, commonly called "The Sponge," designed by architect Steven Holl. The MIT Engineers boast more than 30 NCAA Division III Teams, and their mascot is a beaver, which MIT chose because of its "remarkable engineering and mechanical skill and its habits of industry." Each class designs a unique ring called the "Brass Rat" that is revealed during sophomore year, a tradition that dates back to 1929.

MIT focuses on scientific and technological research and is divided into five schools and one college. Among its graduate schools are the highly ranked School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management, in addition to strong programs in economics, psychology, biology, chemistry, earth sciences, physics and mathematics. Research expenditures at MIT have typically exceeded $650 million each year, with funding coming from government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense. The "Independent Activities Program," a four-week term between fall and spring semesters in January, offers special courses, lectures, competitions and projects. Distinguished alumni include Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Ben Bernanke.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $43,498 tuition and fees

Students: 4,503 enrolled (55% male / 45% female)

Admissions: Jan. 1 application deadline (8.9% accepted)

2. Stanford University 

Stanford University is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 7,063, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 8,180 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. Stanford University's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 5. Its tuition and fees are $43,245 (2013-14).

Stanford University’s pristine campus is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. Stanford offers a wide range of student organizations, including the Stanford Pre-Business Association and Stanford Solar Car Project, which designs, builds and races a solar car every two years. The Stanford Cardinals are well known for the traditional "Big Game" against Cal, an annual football competition that awards the Stanford Axe—a sought-after trophy—to the victor. Stanford also has successful programs in tennis and golf. Only freshman are required to live on campus, but students are guaranteed housing for all four years and most choose to remain on campus. Greek life at Stanford represents approximately 10 percent of the student body.

Four of Stanford University’s seven schools offer undergraduate and graduate coursework, and the remaining three serve as purely graduate schools. Graduate programs include the highly ranked School of Education, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine and the top-ranked Graduate School of Business. The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment oversees collaboration between environmental research, teaching and outreach. Stanford has a number of well-known theatrical and musical groups, including the Ram’s Head Theatrical Society and the Mendicants, an all-male a cappella group. Notable Stanford alumni include former U.S. President Herbert Hoover, famed NFL quarterback John Elway, actress Sigourney Weaver and golfer Tiger Woods, who began his professional career at Stanford.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $43,245 tuition and fees

Students:  7,063 enrolled (52% male / 48% female)

Admissions: Jan. 1 application deadline (6.6% accepted)

3. University of California--Berkeley 

University of California--Berkeley is a public institution that was founded in 1868. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,774, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,232 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of California--Berkeley's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 20. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,836 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $25,056 (2013-14).

The University of California—Berkeley, often referred to as Cal, is situated overlooking the San Francisco Bay. Berkeley guarantees two years of housing for incoming freshmen in a number of residence halls throughout campus. There are more than 1,200 student organizations on campus, ranging from political groups to a hang gliding club and everything in between. Berkeley also has a thriving Greek life with more than 55 fraternity and sorority chapters. The California Golden Bears, Berkeley’s athletic teams, compete in the Pac-12 Conference and are known for their traditional arch rivalry with Stanford.

Berkeley is comprised of 14 schools and colleges, including a number of graduate and professional schools such as the School of Optometry, Graduate School of Journalism and College of Environmental Design. Other graduate programs are the highly ranked Haas School of Business, Graduate School of Education, College of Engineering, School of Law, School of Social Welfare, School of Public Health and Goldman School of Public Policy. Berkeley is well known as a hub of liberal student activity: the Free Speech Movement—a 1964 student protest at Berkeley in response to the administration’s attempt to remove student political groups from campus—gained widespread national attention. Distinguished alumni include former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, Olympic gold medalist Jonny Moseley and actor John Cho of the "Harold and Kumar" films. Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, scientific director of the Manhattan Project during WWII to develop the atomic bomb, was a physicist and professor at Berkeley.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $13,836 in-state

$25,056 out-of-state

Students: 25,774 enrolled (48% male / 52% female)

Admissions: Nov. 30 application deadline (18.0% accepted)

4. California Institute of Technology 

California Institute of Technology is a private institution that was founded in 1891. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 997, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 124 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. California Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 10. Its tuition and fees are $41,538 (2013-14).

Caltech, which focuses on science and engineering, is located in Pasadena, Calif., approximately 11 miles northeast of Los Angeles. Social and academic life at Caltech centers on the eight student houses, which the school describes as "self-governing living groups." Student houses incorporate an admired Caltech tradition: dinners served by student waiters. Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but around 80 percent of students remain in their house for all four years. The Caltech Beavers have a number of NCAA Division III teams that compete in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Integral to student life is the Honor Code, which dictates that "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community."

In addition to its undergraduate studies, Caltech offers top graduate programs in engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics and physics. Caltech participates in a significant amount of research, receiving grants from institutions such as NASA, the National Science Foundation and the Department of Health and Human Services, among others. Caltech maintains a strong tradition of pranking with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, another top-ranked science and technology university. Companies such as Intel, Compaq and Hotmail were founded by Caltech alumni. Famous film director Frank Capra also graduated from Caltech.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $41,538 tuition and fees

Students: 997 enrolled (62% male / 38% female)

Admissions:Jan. 3 application deadline (11.8% accepted)

5. Georgia Institute of Technology 

Georgia Institute of Technology is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,527, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 400 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Georgia Institute of Technology's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 36. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,650 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $29,954 (2013-14).

Georgia Tech, located in the heart of Atlanta, offers a wide range of student activities. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an NCAA Division I team, compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference and have a fierce rivalry with the University of Georgia. Since 1961, the football team has been led onto the field at home games by the Ramblin’ Wreck, a restored 1930 Model A Ford Sport Coupe. Georgia Tech has a small but vibrant Greek community. Freshmen are offered housing, but aren’t required to live on campus. In addition to its campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia Tech has campuses in France, Ireland, Costa Rica, Singapore and China.

Georgia Tech has six colleges. Its highly ranked graduate schools include the College of Engineering and Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business. Georgia Tech is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a university with very high research activity. Famous alumni include president and CEO of Walmart Mike Duke, founder of The Masters golf tournament Bobby Jones and baseball player Nomar Garciaparra. John Heisman was Georgia Tech’s first full-time football coach, and the Heisman Memorial Trophy was named in his honor. The school's newspaper for faculty and staff, "The Whistle," is named for the steam whistle in the Tech Tower that blows every hour and each time the Yellow Jackets score a touchdown.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $10,650 in-state

$29,954 out-of-state

Students: 14,527 enrolled (67% male / 33% female)

Admissions: Jan. 10 application deadline (54.9% accepted)

5. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign 

University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign is a public institution that was founded in 1867. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 32,281, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,783 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 41. Its in-state tuition and fees are $15,258 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $29,640 (2013-14).

The University of Illinois is located in the twin cities of Urbana and Champaign in east-central Illinois, only a few hours from Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis. The school’s Fighting Illini participate in more than 20 NCAA Division I varsity sports and are part of the Big Ten Conference. The university boasts the largest Greek system in the world, and almost a quarter of the student body is involved. It’s not hard to find something to do on campus with more than 1,000 student organizations, including professional, political and philanthropic clubs. All freshmen are required to live on campus.

University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign comprises 17 schools and colleges. Its Graduate School of Library and Information Science, College of Engineering and Department of Psychology are among the best in the country. The school’s College of Business, College of Education and College of Law are also highly ranked. The school is classified as a university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University of Illinois was the first school to provide disability access to all university services, curricula and facilities. Notable alumni include Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert and the co-founder of YouTube, Steve Chen. 

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $15,258 in-state

$29,640 out-of-state

Students: 32,281 enrolled (56% male / 44% female)

Admissions:Jan. 2 application deadline (63.3% accepted)

7. Carnegie Mellon University 

Carnegie Mellon University is a private institution that was founded in 1900. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 6,279, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 147 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Carnegie Mellon University's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 23. Its tuition and fees are $46,962 (2013-14).

Carnegie Mellon University, founded by industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie, is located in Pittsburgh, which offers dining and entertainment options as well as professional sports teams including the Penguins (hockey), Steelers (football) and Pirates (baseball). Only freshmen are required to live on campus, but the university guarantees housing for all four years, and the majority of students choose to remain on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the student population is affiliated with Greek life, which consists of more than 20 fraternities and sororities. The Carnegie Mellon Tartans compete in NCAA Division III competitions, and the Kiltie Band, which sports full Scottish regalia, performs at every home football game.

Carnegie Mellon is known for its programs in science and technology, but its seven schools and colleges include a College of Fine Arts and College of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Its graduate programs include the highly ranked Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Institute of Technology and School of Computer Science. Undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon have the opportunity to participate in research and can even receive grants or summer fellowships to support research in their field of study. Randy Pausch, author of the New York Times best-selling book "The Last Lecture," was a professor at Carnegie Mellon.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $46,962 tuition and fees

Students: 6,279 enrolled (57% male / 43% female)

Admissions:Jan. 1 application deadline (7.8% accepted)

7. Cornell University

Cornell University is a private institution that was founded in 1865. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,261, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 745 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Cornell University's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 16. Its tuition and fees are $45,359 (2013-14).

Cornell University, located in Ithaca, N.Y., has more than 500 student organizations on campus, which range from the Big Red Marching Band to the International Affairs Society. First-year students live together on north campus, and the university has housing options for upperclassmen and graduate students, though many choose to live off campus. Cornell has a thriving Greek life, with around 70 total fraternity and sorority chapters. Cornell has more than 30 NCAA Division I varsity teams that compete in the Ivy League. The Cornell Big Red are perhaps best known for their successful men’s lacrosse team, which won seven consecutive Ivy League titles from 2003 to 2009. Cornell also has a strong hockey program.

Cornell’s 14 colleges and schools each admit their own students and provide their own faculty, even though every graduate receives a degree from Cornell University. Cornell’s two largest undergraduate colleges are the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Its graduate schools include the highly ranked S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, College of Engineering, Law School, Weill Cornell Medical College and a well-regarded program in education. Cornell is also well known for its top-ranked College of Veterinary Medicine and the highly esteemed School of Hotel Administration. One of Cornell’s oldest traditions is Dragon Day, during which a dragon built by first-year architecture students is paraded through campus and then burned during a bonfire celebrating the coming of spring. Notable alumni include U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, author E.B. White and Bill Nye, the "Science Guy."

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $45,359 tuition and fees

Students: 14,261 enrolled (49% male / 51% female)

Admissions:Jan. 2 application deadline (16.6% accepted)

7. University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor is a public institution that was founded in 1817. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 27,979, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 3,244 acres. It utilizes a trimester-based academic calendar. University of Michigan--Ann Arbor's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 28. Its in-state tuition and fees are $13,819 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $40,496 (2013-14).

The University of Michigan boasts one of the best college towns in the country: Ann Arbor, only 45 minutes from the city of Detroit. Freshmen are guaranteed housing but are not required to live on campus. Nearly 20 percent of the undergraduate student body is affiliated with Greek life at Michigan, which contains approximately 60 fraternity and sorority chapters. If Greek life does not sound appealing, there are more than 900 other student organizations from which to choose. The Michigan Wolverines have many traditions: Their colors are maize and blue, their widely known chant is "Go Blue!," their stadium is called the "Big House," and their football program, known for its fierce rivalry with Ohio State, is one of the most storied teams in college football.

Michigan’s graduate programs include the highly ranked Stephen M. Ross School of Business, School of Education, College of Engineering, Law School, Medical School, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, School of Public Health and School of Nursing in addition to the well-regarded School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban Planning. The University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers is ranked among the top hospitals in the country. Former U.S. President Gerald Ford, actress Lucy Liu of the "Charlie’s Angels" and "Kill Bill" film series, and NFL quarterback Tom Brady all graduated from Michigan.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $13,819 in-state

$40,496 out-of-state

Students: 27,979 enrolled (51% male / 49% female)

Admissions: Feb. 1 application deadline (36.5% accepted)

10. Purdue University--West Lafayette 

Purdue University--West Lafayette is a public institution that was founded in 1869. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,147, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 2,468 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Purdue University--West Lafayette's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 68. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,992 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $28,794 (2013-14).

Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Ind., serves as the primary campus in the Purdue University system, which encompasses four other campuses throughout the state. Nearly 20 percent of students are affiliated with Greek life, but Purdue offers a wide range of activities and organizations. Performance groups include the "All American" Marching Band, four jazz bands, and two symphony orchestras. The Boilermakers, Purdue’s athletic teams, compete in the Division I Big Ten Conference and are well known for their dominant men’s and women’s basketball teams. The Boilermaker Special, Purdue’s official mascot, is a railroad locomotive cared for and maintained by the student-run Purdue Reamer Club. Although no students are required to live in university housing, about one-third of undergraduates live on campus.

Purdue is comprised of 12 schools and colleges, many of which serve both undergraduate and graduate students. Professional and graduate programs include the well-ranked College of Engineering, Krannert School of Management, College of Education, and College of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Health Sciences. Purdue’s esteemed School of Aeronautics and Astronautics within the College of Engineering has acquired the nickname "Cradle of Astronauts." One popular university tradition: many students mark the beginning and end of their time at Purdue by running through either of the campus fountains. Notable alumni include legendary college basketball coach and player John Wooden, popcorn entrepreneur Orville Redenbacher, and the first man to walk on the moon, Neil Armstrong.

Some stastistics: 

2013-2014 Tuition: $9,992 in-state

$28,794 out-of-state

Students: 30,147 enrolled (57% male / 43% female)

Admissions: rolling admission (61.3% accepted)

Source: US News

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