AdobeStock 473578507 Editorial Use Only

Best Colleges & Uni­ver­si­ties in the North Top Consensus Ranked Schools in the North

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

College Consensus has turned its signature method to ranking the Best Colleges and Universities in the North, providing future and current students with the big picture of the Northern United States’ best higher education institutions. This independent guide combines the results of the most influential publisher rankings with real student reviews to help students find their way to the best colleges in the Northeast that have built a reputation among experts and students alike.

The Northern US is home to some of the greatest research universities, public university systems, and private institutions in the world. It’s their colleges and universities that do so much of the heavy lifting in higher education, training a workforce and educating professionals where they are. The Consensus Best Colleges and Universities in the North recognizes the best universities offering undergraduate and graduate programs to the region.

How Do We Rank the Best Colleges in the North?

College Consensus rankings combine the results of the most respected college ranking systems with the averaged ratings of thousands of real student reviews from around the web to create a unique college meta-ranking. This approach offers a comprehensive and holistic perspective missing from other college rankings. Visit our about page for information on which rankings and review sites were included in this year’s consensus rankings.

The Best Colleges & Universities in the North category is limited to schools in the Northeastern United States, including CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VT.

Recommended Online Colleges

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What’s Different About the College Consensus Ranking?

With our unique method, College Consensus forms a ranking that represents the best colleges and universities in the North in a different light than usual. By taking into account both publisher rankings and student reviews, everything makes it in – academic reputation, student satisfaction, social mobility, affordability, and much more. That means some colleges that get overlooked in other rankings get their say, and others that dominate the conversation have to give some way. It’s a less biased, more inclusive ranking.

The Consensus Best Colleges and Universities in the North are listed in descending order by their Consensus score.

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA

93.4
College Consensus
87.1
Student Consensus
99.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

2

Private: Yale University
New Haven, CT

92.9
College Consensus
87.1
Student Consensus
98.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

3

Private: Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

92.9
College Consensus
86.8
Student Consensus
98.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

4

Private: Williams College
Williamstown, MA

92.3
College Consensus
87.4
Student Consensus
97.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

5

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

91.1
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
98.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

6

Private: Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

90.6
College Consensus
86.3
Student Consensus
94.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

7

Private: Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

90.4
College Consensus
85.1
Student Consensus
95.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

8

Private: Brown University
Providence, RI

90
College Consensus
85.7
Student Consensus
94.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

9

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

89.4
College Consensus
81.1
Student Consensus
97.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

10

Amherst College
Amherst, MA

89.1
College Consensus
83.6
Student Consensus
94.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

11

Private: Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY

88.9
College Consensus
82.6
Student Consensus
95.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

12

Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

88.9
College Consensus
86.5
Student Consensus
91.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

13

Private: Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

88.6
College Consensus
84.7
Student Consensus
92.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

14

Private: Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

88.5
College Consensus
82.9
Student Consensus
94.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

15

Private: Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT

87.3
College Consensus
85.1
Student Consensus
89.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

16

Private: Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

87.2
College Consensus
83.7
Student Consensus
90.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

17

Private: Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

86.9
College Consensus
85.6
Student Consensus
88.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

18

Private: Georgetown University
Washington, DC

86.3
College Consensus
80.6
Student Consensus
91.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

19

Private: Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

85.9
College Consensus
76.1
Student Consensus
95.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

20

Private: Haverford College
Haverford, PA

85.4
College Consensus
85.3
Student Consensus
85.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

21

Private: Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

85.2
College Consensus
79.4
Student Consensus
91
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

22

Private: Bates College
Lewiston, ME

84.7
College Consensus
88.9
Student Consensus
80.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

23

Colby College
Waterville, ME

83.9
College Consensus
84.1
Student Consensus
83.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

24

Private: Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

83.3
College Consensus
80.7
Student Consensus
85.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

25

Private: Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

83.2
College Consensus
86.6
Student Consensus
79.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

26

Private: Tufts University
Medford, MA

82.6
College Consensus
81.1
Student Consensus
84.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

27

Private: Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

81.9
College Consensus
84.1
Student Consensus
79.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

28

Private: Smith College
Northampton, MA

81.4
College Consensus
83.9
Student Consensus
78.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

29

Private: Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

81.1
College Consensus
82.4
Student Consensus
79.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

30

New York University
New York, NY

81.1
College Consensus
80.5
Student Consensus
81.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

31

Private: Barnard College
New York, NY

80.8
College Consensus
77.8
Student Consensus
83.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

32

Private: College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA

79.7
College Consensus
81.8
Student Consensus
77.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

33

Private: Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

79.7
College Consensus
84.8
Student Consensus
74.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

34

Private: Lafayette College
Easton, PA

79.1
College Consensus
77
Student Consensus
81.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

35

University of Maryland-College Park
College Park, MD

78.3
College Consensus
78.5
Student Consensus
78.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

36

Private: Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

78
College Consensus
81.1
Student Consensus
74.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

37

Private: Northeastern University
Boston, MA

77.9
College Consensus
81.4
Student Consensus
74.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

38

Private: Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

77.7
College Consensus
80.3
Student Consensus
75.1
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

39

Private: Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

76.9
College Consensus
78.9
Student Consensus
74.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

40

Private: Boston University
Boston, MA

76.6
College Consensus
79.4
Student Consensus
73.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

41

Private: University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

76.4
College Consensus
78.8
Student Consensus
73.9
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

42

Private: Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

76
College Consensus
79.5
Student Consensus
72.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

43

Private: Villanova University
Villanova, PA

75.8
College Consensus
81
Student Consensus
70.6
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

44

Private: Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

75
College Consensus
78.8
Student Consensus
71.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

45

Private: Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

74.8
College Consensus
80.1
Student Consensus
69.5
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

46

Private: Bentley University
Waltham, MA

74.6
College Consensus
75.8
Student Consensus
73.4
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

47

Private: Towson University
Towson, MD

74.3
College Consensus
75.9
Student Consensus
72.8
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

48

Private: Elmira College
Elmira, NY

74.3
College Consensus
70.3
Student Consensus
78.2
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

49

Private: University of Rochester
Rochester, NY

73.8
College Consensus
77.8
Student Consensus
69.7
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

50

Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

73.4
College Consensus
83.5
Student Consensus
63.3
Publisher Consensus
Last Accessed: March, 2023

Recommended Online Colleges

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Why Are There So Many Elite Colleges in the Northeast?

Some of the best colleges in the Northeast are also the oldest. The first colleges built in this country were built in the Northeast by the wealthy. Because of their age and wealth, the Ivy League schools are among the most prestigious in the U.S.

Since the West Coast was settled much later than the East Coast, the colleges and universities located there are younger and have had less time to establish a reputation. Northeast colleges such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale have been around for a long time and are highly respected.

Many of the top colleges in the Northeast, such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT, have built their reputations on the academic achievements of their students. Havard, for example, boasts several famous alumni, including John F. Kennedy, Mark Zuckerberg, and Michael Bloomberg. They’re also heavily favored for Nobel prizes.

Northeast colleges often have extensive alumni networks, which helps new graduates gain an advantage over their peers when applying for jobs. Knowing someone on the inside can make a big difference when it comes to applying for a job.

Another thing that makes some colleges in the Northeast more elite is their admissions requirements. Since these colleges have such strong reputations, they can afford to be picky about which students they accept, which makes them even more elite. It can be very difficult to get into an Ivy League school.

Is College More Expensive in the North than Other Regions?

The top Northeast colleges often charge higher tuition than schools in other regions. The state with the highest average in-state tuition at public schools (Vermont) and the state with the highest average private college tuition (Massachusetts) are both in the Northeast.

Among the universities in the North, tuition can vary significantly from one school to another. Some colleges in the North provide a good deal financially, while others, especially Northeast colleges and universities, cost much more.

Seven of the top ten most expensive states for in-state public tuition are in the Northeast. They are Vermont, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Keep in mind that there may be more financial aid available at colleges and universities that charge higher tuition rates. Consider the total cost after financial aid when choosing a college.

One big drawback to attending a more expensive college is that you may end up with a large amount of student loan debt to repay after you graduate. You’ll find that your life after college will be much easier if you can get through school without accumulating a lot of student loans.

Are Northern Colleges Good for Networking?

The top Northeast colleges are very good for networking. In fact, ten of the top 25 colleges for networking listed by Business Insider are in the Northeast. Some of the Northeast colleges listed include Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire (#1), Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania (#2), and St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York (#6).

When you are comparing different northern colleges, ask about their alumni networks. Find out how many students are in the network, how often they have networking events, and if there are places to hang out online with other alumni. Perhaps they have a Facebook group or even an alumni website. You can also try to link up with your fellow alumni on LinkedIn.

Colleges in the Northeast that have active alumni networks can help new graduates earn more money in their first jobs due to having better connections within their industry. Alumni connections can help graduates find the best job for their skill set and find it more quickly than they would have otherwise.

Some alumni associations offer career services such as professional development events, job boards, self-assessment tests, and regional career programs. Taking advantage of these services can help improve your chances at getting the job you want.

Alumni organizations may also provide discounts at your school or from other businesses. Alumni may receive discounts on clothing, health insurance, auto insurance, computers, and cell phone services. Travel discounts are another perk available through some alumni networks. These include group tours and cruises, allowing you to network with your peers while enjoying a nice vacation.

Related:

2022 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges

Best Liberal Arts Scholarships

Biggest College Scholarships

Best Law Schools

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.

Ready to start your journey?

Get a personalized list of degree programs that fit your needs.