Top 10 colleges for undergraduate students in 2021 | Courses, fees & more

As a high school student planning to go to college, there are a few things you should know before applying to universities abroad. You need to find out which country offers the degree you’re looking for, see if you’re qualified to get into a university there, figure out how much studying abroad will cost, and then learn to prepare for the SATs. Yes, the process might be long and tedious, but an international experience is totally worth it! This list of top colleges for undergraduate students and what they have to offer is going to be enough to convince you.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT has all the ingredients of a world-class educational institution, be it the quality of education, research opportunities, or career guidance. The undergraduate programs at MIT are designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed to meet the challenges of modern society.

• Average tuition: $55,450
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Graduation rate: 90%
• Scholarships: $23,442
• Average salary: $96,033

Apart from studying core subjects in science, mathematics, management, architecture, humanities, arts, and social sciences, students can also choose from a breadth of electives. What’s more, undergraduates at MIT have the opportunity to work with their faculty on ongoing research projects at the university.

MIT tops off its list of benefits by helping its students, recent alumni, and postdocs find jobs, internships, and apply to graduate and professional schools post-graduation.

2. Harvard University

From library and museum collections to arts, athletics, and education, Harvard’s resources for its students stand unparalleled. Here, students learn from world-renowned professors, learn alongside brilliant peers, and engage in cutting-edge research to push the boundaries of human knowledge.

• Average tuition: $49,653
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Graduation rate: 98%
• Scholarships: $49,870
• Average salary: $92.033

The university has over 13 faculties, including Business, Design, Engineering, Government, Law, Public Health, Divinity, and Arts & Sciences among others. No wonder it enrolls over 20,000-degree candidates every year and has more than 360,000 alumni spread across the globe!

And if the quality of education and network isn’t enough, Harvard also offers hands-on research projects to its undergraduates. From leading a study to performing lab work with a mentor, you can explore the depths of your favorite subjects any way you want.

3. Stanford University

Located in Stanford, California, Stanford is a private research university that was founded in 1885. With over 16,000 students and 2000 faculty members, the university has continued to promote academic excellence, research, and interdisciplinary work.

• Average tuition: $64,450
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Graduation rate: 94%
• Scholarships: $50,134
• Average salary: $88,567

Approximately 7000 undergraduate students attend Stanford, exploring over 65 different fields of study. Like Art History, Democracy, Feminist Studies, Management, Mathematical Science, Public Policy, Aeronautics & Astronautics, Music, Atmosphere, Chemical Engineering, and more!

With over 18 institutes, 20 libraries, and $1.6 billion of annual research funding, Stanford thrives on its culture of ideation and collaboration, offering cutting-edge research opportunities and incredible career perspectives to all of its students.

4. University of Oxford

Ranked first in THE for social sciences, medicine, health, computer science, and engineering & technology, Oxford offers cutting-edge research facilities and unrivaled resources to all of its students. What’s more, the university lets you choose from about 50 different undergraduate courses, from Biochemistry and Earth Sciences to Religion and Oriental Studies!

• Average tuition: $42,858
• Acceptance rate: 17%
• Graduation rate: Not listed
• Scholarships: Refer to the website
• Average salary: $120,000

Not only that, the university makes every effort to help its students fund their studies. So, as long as apply for your course by the deadline and fulfill all the eligibility criteria, you will automatically be given a list of scholarships you can apply for. Like the Crankstart Scholarships for UK students, annual Oxford bursaries for UK and Republic of Ireland students, and more.

Plus, the university is located in Oxford – a city surrounded by a large number of manufacturing industries, publishing houses, and science and technology-based companies. This means you don’t have to worry about getting a job after graduation.

5. ETH Zurich

The alma mater of Albert Einstein, ETH Zurich consistently ranks among the top colleges for undergraduate students in the world. This is because ETH has 16 different faculties, ranging from architecture and engineering to biology and earth & marine sciences. But that’s not all, the university also focuses on extensive research and is home to a world-class faculty.

• Average tuition: 1229 CHF per semester
• Acceptance rate: 27%
• Graduation rate: Not listed
• Scholarships: Refer to the website
• Average salary: $150,000

As an undergraduate student at ETH, you can choose from 5 disciplines, including Architecture, Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Public Policy. What’s more, you can cross over your favorite subjects to learn interdisciplinary courses, like Geospatial Engineering, Chemical & Bioengineering, and Health Sciences & Technology.

Not only are these courses designed to provide you with sound professional knowledge, but they will also give you the practical experience, social skills, and critical thinking necessary to excel in your career!

6. Imperial College London

Imperial College London is a public research university in South Kensington, UK. Thanks to its excellence in science, engineering, medicine, and business, the university ranks 9th in the QS World Rankings and 11th in THE World Rankings. Not only that but Imperial College London is also known for the high-impact research it conducts to benefit society.

• Average tuition: $44,760
• Acceptance rate: 14%
• Graduation rate: Not listed
• Scholarships: $9,500
• Average salary: $35,244

Home to 17,000 students and 8000 staff members, the college awards more than 6,700 degrees in a variety of fields. These include Biotechnology, Earth & Planetary Sciences, Geophysics, Design Engineering, Mathematics, Aeronautics with Spacecraft Engineering, and so much more!

Because the college is located in central London, it offers numerous opportunities to its students post-graduation. This is why it holds the top spot for Graduate Employability in The Guardian.

7. University of Cambridge

Ranking 6th amongst the top colleges for undergraduate students, the University of Cambridge is a global research institution in Cambridge, United Kingdom. Students from 150 countries around the world attend Cambridge, which has 13 colleges, 6 schools, and over 150 faculties and departments.

• Average tuition: $39,558
• Acceptance rate: 21%
• Graduation rate: Not listed
• Scholarships: Refer to the website for singular scholarship info
• Average salary: $100,000

Students can choose from a plethora of courses, like Land Economy, Mathematics, Medicine, Theology, Engineering, Computer Science, History & Politics, and more! These cover more than 65 subject areas combined! No wonder the university is home to more than 20 thousand students.

The best part about the University of Cambridge is its focus on personalized learning and effort towards having students live on the campus itself. This helps all Cambridge alumni stay in touch for years after graduation.

8. University of Chicago

A private research university based in Illinois, the University of Chicago is one of the top colleges for undergraduate students. It is home to more than 30 thousand graduate and undergraduate students from around the world. Here, students learn to develop their critical, analytical, and writing skills through a rigorous, interdisciplinary core curriculum.

• Average tuition: $57,642
• Acceptance rate: 9%
• Graduation rate: 92%
• Scholarships: $37,833
• Average salary: $65,867

The university is divided into 5 divisions and grants degrees to undergraduates in 51 academic majors and 33 minors. These include Data Science, Economics, Ethnic Studies, Linguistics, Philosophy, Physics, Music, Norwegian Studies, Visual Arts, Statistics, Environmental Science, etc.

Moreover, the University of Chicago operates more than 140 research centers and institutes on campus. It is home to some of the most important academic movements of the century.

9. California Institute of Technology

A private research university located in Pasadena, California, Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute. The university has consistently ranked among the top 10 institutions in several world ranking lists, including THE World, US News, QS World, and Forbes America’s top college rankings.

• Average tuition: $54,570
• Acceptance rate: 8%
• Graduation rate: 90%
• Scholarships: $41,408
• Average salary: $79,300

The university is home to a thousand undergraduate students and a hugely recognized faculty of 300, out of which 39 are Nobel prize winners! Here, you can choose from 28 programs of study, including Computational Mathematics, and Astrophysics. Bioengineering, Business, Economics, Chemistry, and more.

Every student at Caltech becomes a part of a small collaborative community, where faculty, scholars, students, and staff from diverse backgrounds engage with each other to solve the problems of modern society.

10. University College London

Ranking first in London for its research strength, University College London is highly renowned for its academic excellence and global impact. Not only that, it is located in one of the most vibrant cities in the world – London – which is home to thousands of multinational companies looking to hire graduates.

• Average tuition: $33,650
• Acceptance rate: 63%
• Graduation rate: 88%
• Scholarships: Not listed
• Average salary: $103,000

The university offers 443 degrees in a multitude of disciplines. Like Archaeology, Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Classics, Dutch, Earth Sciences, Economics, Geography, German, Law, Media, Psychology, etc.

Not only does the university offer a comprehensive list of studies but it also focuses on research-based teaching and learning, offers support and welfare to its students, and has consistently high academic rankings.

So which one should I choose?

To find out which of these top colleges for undergraduate students is the best for you, first decide which course type you’re interested in. Do you want to study the natural sciences, arts, economics, engineering, or humanities? Once you know that, you can pick a program of your choice. But while doing so, make sure you’re eligible to apply for it.

Once you have decided which program you’re going to apply for, it’s time to prepare for the standard tests. At the same time, I suggest you start collating all the documents you’ll need for your application.

And in case you get stuck or need help shortlisting from the top colleges for undergraduate students listed in this blog according to your profile, feel free to reach out. We’d be very happy to help!

All the best!