Residential College Rankings
Are you ready to find your fit?
Residential colleges tend to offer the traditional college experience—from dorms and dining halls to clubs and athletic teams. So if you’ve spent your life dreaming of attending a college like the ones you saw in the movies or on television, the best universities or colleges for you could be residential schools.
To select the best colleges and universities, we took a look at the factors that are most important to students—quality, reputation, affordability, value, and satisfaction. Then we crunched the numbers to list the best of the best!
Whether you’re looking for the best residential colleges with degrees in cutting-edge areas like big data, or the best colleges in California, we’ve got you covered! Read on to explore the top schools in the categories that are most important to you.
The Best Colleges and Universities
Choosing a college forces you to answer some tough questions: What college is right for me? Can I afford school? Is an education worth my time and energy? What college...
Best Community Colleges
A higher education is becoming more and more essential for people who want to be competitive in today’s job market. And these days, from the best online colleges to the...
50 Safest Large Colleges and Universities in America
Safety may connote patrol cars and uniformed security, but college safety actually encompasses an array of student health, wellness, and security issues. Campus safety doesn’t just mean low crime rates...
50 Safest Small Colleges and Universities in America
Whether you're just out of high school and attending college for the first time or you're a returning student who wants to finish attaining your degree, you deserve a safe...
Best Colleges for Students with Autism
do not go to college after high school. And while 35 percent will attempt to attend college later, most do not get admitted or they do but then drop out....
50 Best Disability Friendly Colleges and Universities
The Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was a landmark achievement for everyone from those suffering from discrimination in the workplace due to mental or physical disabilities to those struggling with...
Best Christian Colleges
The shows that 70.6% of religions in the U.S. identify as Christian. Of the 70.6% of Christians in the U.S., 25.4% are Evangelical Protestant, 14.7% are Mainline Protestant, 6.5% are...
Best Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Become part of a legacy at one of the nation’s best Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCU’s were founded on the conviction that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, class,...
Best Liberal Arts Colleges
Hungry for knowledge? Gain a solid foundation for professional success with a liberal arts degree from a top-ranked college. In a world increasingly governed by technology, a liberal arts education...
Best Colleges by State
There are lots of great reasons to focus on a particular state (or two, or three) when you’re checking out different colleges.
For one thing, you may qualify for lower in-state tuition if you attend a school in your home state. Or maybe you just want to stay close enough to home to bring your laundry back on the weekends!
Then again, you could be looking for adventure and planning to relocate to a completely new environment.
Whatever your reasons for exploring a specific location, we’ve got you covered—we’ve sorted through all of the data and ranked the best colleges around. Take a look at our top picks for each state!
Best Colleges in Alabama
With multiple universities ranking among the best in country, along with many other colleges of excellent quality, Alabama is a great place to focus your college search. Whether you're in-state...
3 Best Colleges in Alaska
Want an education from a broad perspective? Try the biggest state in the Union. If you were to superimpose Alaska over the 48 states, you'd be able to see that...
20 Best Colleges in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to dozens of renowned universities and colleges that graduate an impressive number of successful students across industries, from healthcare and technology to education, government, and non-profit. Reasons...
Best Colleges in California
Here at College Choice, we're committed to helping you make informed decisions about your college future. Whether you're looking through our California data pages to find the best national research...
19 Best Colleges in Colorado
Of the dozens of colleges, universities, and tech schools throughout Colorado, those below are the best in reputation, affordability, student retention (a reflection of student satisfaction), and return on investment...
20 Best Colleges in Connecticut
Small but mighty, the state of Connecticut is committed to educational advancement and access, and has proven this commitment in many tangible ways. Perhaps most notable is the Governor's Scholarship...
4 Best Colleges in Delaware
The state of Delaware might be small, but don't count it out of your college decision. It has a thriving economy, which could come as a huge benefit once you...
Best Colleges in Florida
The thought of going to college in Florida probably inspires visions of sunny skies, white sand beaches, and palm trees. And if you have to study, why not do it...
6 Best Colleges in Hawaii
While you might only think of Hawai'i as a tropical paradise, there is a lot more to our newest state than sand and surfing. Of course, it certainly has that,...
6 Best Colleges in Idaho
Is it still worth it to go to college? Students, parents, and economists have been asking the question more and more, especially as tuition prices go up. There's not one...
Best Colleges in Illinois
Welcome to the Land of Lincoln. Honest Abe, who lived here when he was elected president, isn't the only former Commander-in-Chief with connections to the state: Barack Obama lived here,...
Best Colleges in Indiana
Don't call them "Indianans." That's the first thing you need to know if you're considering coming to Indiana for college, especially if you're from out-of-state. They're called . Now that...
25 Best Colleges in Iowa
The Hawkeye State is moving from strength to strength. With the best high school graduation rate of any other state in the country, Iowa clearly takes education seriously. And recently,...
21 Best Colleges in Kansas
Kansas is a state with a plan. Their Foresight 2020 program is a ten-year plan for the state's public higher education system. This agenda seeks to increase higher education attainment...
25 Best Colleges in Kentucky
Is going to college worth it? Tuition rates keep rising, students keep taking on more debt, and people are worried about whether going to college will actually help you get...
20 Best Colleges in Louisiana
The United States is a nation of immigrants, both recent arrivals and longtime residents. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in Louisiana. Home to Louisiana Creole culture, Acadian culture,...
15 Best Colleges in Maine
Beautiful Maine with its over 200 miles in coastal shoreline and the highest moose population in the country also hosts a number of well-ranked, research-driven, affordable colleges and universities. Maine...
15 Best Colleges in Maryland
Maryland isn't one of our biggest states, but it is one of our most diverse: "America in Miniature," as Maryland is sometimes known. It was a border state in the...
Best Colleges in Massachusetts
Massachusetts is called the "Cradle of Liberty" for its role in bringing about the American Revolution, but it might as well be called the Cradle of Education. After all, it...
25 Best Colleges in Michigan
Michigan is perhaps best known for being home to the Motor City, but the state's high-powered colleges and universities can match Detroit for their finely tuned performance. Home to almost...
25 Best Colleges in Minnesota
Today's college students are in a tough spot. Tuition keeps getting more expensive, but the importance of a degree in our technology-focused economy keeps growing too. In a situation like...
14 Best Colleges in Mississippi
Not only does Mississippi offer some of the nation's most affordable options for prospective college students, it offers some of the best schools in its entire region. Average tuition prices...
25 Best Colleges in Missouri
Is college worth it? It’s been getting more expensive, but its importance in the workplace has only increased. Seeing that in the near future, 60 percent of all jobs will...
8 Best Colleges in Montana
Montana is a land of stunning natural beauty, friendly people, and diverse opportunities for higher education. Students who choose to live and study in Montana can experience the wilderness of...
15 Best Colleges in Nebraska
Back in 2003, the Higher Education Taskforce in Nebraska put together a plan to achieve three major goals for their state. The three goals include: sustain the state's essential public...
4 Best Colleges in Nevada
It seems like every year, tuition hikes at public and private universities hit students and their families. Student debt increases, and people wonder: Is going to college worth it? Of...
12 Best Colleges in New Hampshire
New Hampshire's higher education sector is secured by an education commission specifically organized to help residents flourish. The tangible results of the committee include such innovative initiatives as the Career...
20 Best Colleges in New Jersey
The aspiration to excellence in the higher education system is key to the United States' future: for its continuing prosperity today and in the years to come. It is an...
5 Best Colleges in New Mexico
Does the image of colorful hot-air balloons gently rising above the desert floor and over stark rock formations enchant you? If so, it just means that New Mexico is living...
25 Best Colleges in North Carolina
If you tune into March Madness, then you’re certainly familiar with at least a few of North Carolina’s historic colleges. But there’s much more to the state—and to university life—than...
Best Colleges in North Dakota
The recent boom in oil drilling in North Dakota has drawn many people to the state to work and find their fortune in "black gold." And while this economic boom...
25 Best Colleges in Ohio
Home to the first university in the Northwest Territory (chartered before it was even a state), Ohio can lay claim to a rich heritage of learning and education. To this...
24 Best Colleges in Oklahoma
For Oklahoma residents there are many reasons to stay in state to attend college, university, or trade/technical school. Reasons include state-proffered financial assistance to a diverse choice of research institutions,...
17 Best Colleges in Oregon
Is it still worth it to go to college? I mean, with tuition rates going up with no end in sight, might it be better to just start working and...
25 Best Colleges in Pennsylvania
Welcome to Pennsylvania! As the state where the Declaration of Independence was debated and approved, you can rightfully expect Pennsylvania to have a long and interesting history. And even when...
8 Best Colleges in Rhode Island
It might be the smallest state in land mass, but don't make the mistake of thinking Rhode Island's contribution to higher education is small. With elite private colleges and prestigious...
25 Best Colleges in South Carolina
We know college is expensive. And it keeps getting more expensive, year by year. This has led some people to wonder whether it's even worth going at all. We think...
10 Best Colleges in South Dakota
You probably recognize the four faces carved into rock in the picture above. It's an image of Mount Rushmore, one of South Dakota's most famous attractions. From left to right,...
Best Colleges in Tennessee
From Memphis’ Beale Street to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it’s not hard to see why the state of Tennessee is one of the Top 10 tourist destinations in the...
Best Colleges and Universities in Texas
If you’re a resident of The Lone Star State and interested in college, you have some substantial choices to make in the near future. Universities in Texas are growing in...
7 Best Colleges in Utah
The state of Utah is well-known for having been settled by members of the LDS, or Mormon, Church. As such, it should come as no surprise that Brigham Young University...
11 Best Colleges in Vermont
The higher education system in Vermont is one the rest of the country should take note of. With a , the highest in the nation, Vermont knows how to get...
25 Best Colleges in Virginia
Want to be as well-educated as possible? Then consider going to college in Virginia, which aims to become “the best-educated state by 2030.” As their state government notes, of all...
19 Best Colleges in Washington
Want to visit a rainforest? Well, unless you’re going to board a plane or jump on a boat for a long boat ride, the place to go is the state...
18 Best Colleges in West Virginia
College keeps getting more and more expensive. This has been well documented. In fact, some people wonder whether getting a college degree is even worth it anymore. It’s a fair...
Best Colleges in Wisconsin
That’s right, an idea. Welcome to Wisconsin, the birthplace of the "Wisconsin Idea,” something you might already know without even realizing it has a name. ; it should also help...
2 Best Colleges in Wyoming
The state of Wyoming has a lot of land, some of it overwhelmingly beautiful, but very few people. In fact, despite being able to fit 80 Rhode Islands into the...
Undergraduate Rankings
There are so many great options out there that finding the best undergrad schools can feel like an overwhelming task. That’s why we’re here to help you sort through the noise, so you can find the best undergrad schools for your needs and interests.
If you’ve already sorted through all of the best college majors and know what you want to study, check out our rankings for the best colleges for different types of degree programs.
Or if you’re more concerned about campus safety or finding a school with a great reputation for research, you can find those rankings here, too.
Graduate Program Rankings
You’ve already got your bachelor’s degree—or even your master’s—and now it’s time to take your education to the next level.
Getting your graduate degree at a residential college means that you’ll have opportunities for networking and face-to-face interaction as you pursue your degree. Whether you want to get your MBA, study creative writing or become a nurse practitioner, that time in the classroom can offer a ton of value.
Check out our rankings of graduate degree programs to find the colleges and universities that offer the best value, reputation, and student satisfaction.
Undergraduate Rankings
Best Undergraduate Business Schools
Is a business degree worth it? How hard is earning a business degree? How much does a business degree cost? You probably have a lot of questions about the future...
Best Big Data Degrees
Remember the movie ? Yes, it's about Facebook. Yes, it's about Mark Zuckerberg, who is currently one of the ten wealthiest people in the world. And yes, it gets ugly...
Best Business Schools in the World
So you've watched , and you've decided you want to start a business. Or maybe you've done that already . . . and realized it's harder than it looks! Or...
Best Business Schools in California
Living in the Golden State and looking to attend one of the top ? Then the outlook for your business school future is shining like 24 karats! (Bad jokes aside,...
Best Undergraduate Business Schools in Florida
Studying in Florida offers a host of benefits and opportunities for ambitious business students. Recognized for its robust economy, technology-driven business climate, tropical weather, and thriving hospitality industry, Florida occupies...
Best Undergraduate Business Schools in Texas
Living in the Lone Star State and looking to attend one of the top undergraduate business schools? Then the outlook for your business school career is meteoric, shooting brightly across...
The 25 Top Football Schools in America
For many college students, Saturdays in Autumn are the apex of the college experience. Nothing beats the fun and camaraderie of making their way to the stadium hours before a...
Best Catholic Colleges and Universities
For those looking for the right Catholic education, we have compiled the College Choice ranking of the 75 Best Catholic Colleges and Universities in the United States. In compiling our...
Best Women’s Colleges
Women's colleges in the United States are alive and well. Many historic women's colleges are still thriving according to their original mission, and some others that have been historically limited...
Best National Research Universities
Our are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to the most recent nationwide survey published by the , these factors...
Best Northern Universities
Our are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to the most recent nationwide survey published by the , these factors...
Best Southern Universities
Our are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to a nationwide survey published by the , these factors include academic...
Best Midwestern Universities
Our are based exclusively on factors actual college freshmen said were most important to their college decision. According to a nationwide survey published by the , the , and ....
25 Best Western Regional Colleges
Regional colleges can often fly under the radar when prospective undergraduates are looking for their ideal landing spot. Most college rankings tend to focus on nationally known universities, even though...
Best Management Information Systems Degrees
So you've gotten yourself all set up to do put in some serious study time at your local coffee shop. You fire up your browser and . . . the...
Best Bachelor’s in Engineering Degrees
Engineers solve problems by developing innovative solutions that help improve products, infrastructure, and technology. Working in many different fields, engineers apply the knowledge gained during a bachelor of science in...
Best Accounting Degrees
Become a confident, fluent speaker in the language of business through one of the nation’s best accounting degrees. Don’t let the stereotypes fool you. Accounting jobs are at once exciting,...
Best Bachelor’s in Human Resources Degrees
Human resource management positions are a popular option for many business degree graduates. Most mid-to-large size companies need someone to manage their hiring, policy enforcing, benefits managing, and internal communications....
Best Finance Degrees
Become a trusted leader in the world of commerce with one of the nation’s best Bachelor in Finance degrees. Finance as a field offers a diverse range of career opportunities....
Best Chemical Engineering Degrees
Look at the screen of your iPhone, the way it lights up when you put your thumb against it. How does that work? Or take a look at the label...
Best Petroleum Engineering Degrees
There's that light on your dashboard again; it always seems to come on when you're running late! Where's the nearest gas station? Luckily for most of us, a convenience store...
Best Civil Engineering Degrees
Civil engineers are at the forefront of invention for a better future. If you have a passion for innovation, a career as a civil engineer might be for you. Civil...
Best Mechanical Engineering Degrees
Design your way into a lucrative career with one of the nation’s best Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering degrees. Are you passionate about both the creative and technical aspects of product...
Best Environmental Science Degrees
Want to save our planet and get paid doing it? Start by earning one of the best Bachelor’s in Environmental Science degrees. Environmental Science not only considers the practical elements...
Best Graphic Design Degrees
Graphic designers use visual concepts and creative art to promote ideas and attract consumers. Graphic design plays a major role in digital and analog communications. This creative field encompasses the...
Best Schools for a Computer Science Degree
A computer science bachelors is one of the most valuable degrees you can get. Technology is constantly evolving, so a recent computer science degree is extremely valuable to companies like...
Best Software Engineering Degrees
A combination of both computer science and computer engineering, a degree in software engineering allows graduates to work across a variety of industries, designing and implementing intuitive software programs. As...
Best Ultrasound Technician Schools
When you think of ultrasounds, you likely think of a pregnant woman viewing an image of her fetus for the first time. While ultrasound technicians certainly perform this essential and...
Best Social Work Degrees
Our College Choice rankings, which will help you find the best social work degree, are made from a few different sources. Our first consideration was data taken from a nationwide...
Best Elementary Education Degrees
Aristotle said that "All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth." If what he...
Best Special Education Degrees
Special education professionals have an affinity for equal education and strive to create innovative techniques or tools for students with mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Professionals often glean tremendous satisfaction...
Best Emergency Management Degrees
When natural disasters strike they force emergency services to respond quickly to the needs of people who have suddenly lost everything. Responding to these incidents requires expertise that not many...
Best Public Health Degrees
Public Health is where science and politics meet. Degree programs in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and related fields consider the relationship between culture and health, explore the design and implementation of health...
Best Bachelor’s in Marketing Degrees
Completing your marketing degree sets you on a path to influence consumers and drive change within an array of industries. Whether the occupation you pursue entails advertising and promotions, fundraising,...
Best Paralegal Studies Degrees
We are drawn to legal battles for some reason, and those involve a number of different roles - lawyers, judges, criminals, witnesses . . . and whether you realize it...
Best Hospitality Management Degrees
Advance your future with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management—and gain an edge on a global, leading-edge industry. If you’re looking for a career that is fast-paced, engaging, and rarely...
Best Real Estate Degrees
Want to sell property or become a commercial lender? Is Monopoly your favorite board game? Here are the Best Bachelor's degrees in Real Estate! Perhaps you’re an HGTV aficionado and...
Best Public Relations Degrees
Brand yourself a communications expert with one of the nation’s best Bachelor’s in Public Relations degrees. Are you interested in how persuasive communication can improve and influence communities? Are you...
Best Secondary Education Degrees
O Captain, my captain! Inspire students with one of the nation’s best Bachelor’s in Secondary Education degrees. Are you passionate about middle and high school education? Can you envision yourself...
Best Computer Programming Degrees
Computer programming is a high-demand skill no matter where you choose to live or in what kind of business you plan to work. These recession-proof jobs allow you to innovate,...
Best Forensic Psychology Degrees
Crime is ever present in our society, and understanding why humans act in the way they do is important to preventing as many as possible. Forensic psychology is the study...
Best Gerontology Degrees
Step into the world of the wisest and oldest among us by earning one of the best Bachelor’s in Gerontology degrees. According to a recent U.S. census, close to 15...
Best Homeland Security Degrees
People considering a degree in homeland security often envision jobs in law enforcement, but the field encompasses much more than that. Federal, state, and local professionals work each day to...
2021 Best Photography Degrees
Many aspiring photographers begin their artistic careers with a bachelor's degree in photography. Suited to creative, patient, and observant students, photography programs cultivate creativity, visual intelligence, and sophisticated technical skills....
Best Organizational Leadership Degrees
Interested in problem-solving and leading teams to success? Pursue a career that’s always in demand! Check out the Best Organizational Leadership Degrees today! The economy is always changing, and with...
Best Biotechnology Degrees
Genetic engineering. Fermentation. Virology. Put on your safety goggles - you're about to earn one of the best Biotechnology degrees in the nation. Biotechnology is all about using biological systems...
Best Criminology Degrees
Uncertain about your future? Crack the case with one of the nation’s best Bachelor’s in Criminology degrees. Do you want to better your local community? Or national and international communities?...
Best Drafting Degrees
It’s the responsibility of drafters to convert concepts and ideas into detailed technical drawings. Using computer-aided design (CAD) software, a drafter will take the rough sketches of architects and engineers...
Best Entertainment Management Degrees
Dream of going to Hollywood? Looking to represent and promote today’s hottest artists? Check out the best entertainment management degrees! If you’re always up-to-date on the hit TV shows, music,...
Best Legal Studies Degrees
Are you interested in the law and justice system? Love a good courtroom drama? We’ve ranked the Best Legal Studies degrees just for you! Whether you love to watch marathons...
Best Management Degrees
Don’t hate the boss; by earning one of the best management degrees in the country. Becoming a manager is a huge responsibility. You need to not only know the ins-and-outs...
Best Risk Management Degrees
Take a calculated risk and earn big rewards with one of the nation’s best risk management degrees. Are you fascinated by the process of determining, analyzing, and negotiating risk? Do...
Best Veterinary Degrees
Become a doctor to four-legged friends. Start by earning one of the 20 Best Veterinary Degrees in the nation. Do you love animals, big and small? Do you have a...
Best Bachelor’s Health Science Degrees
Health Science is an umbrella term in the medical world that covers a lot of territory. So let’s try to get more specific: Are you fascinated by the human body...
Best Fashion Degrees
Have an eye for patterns, colors, and design? Consider a degree in fashion to make your mark on future styles and trends. If you’re artistic, or if you’ve ever sobbed...
Best Health Services Degrees
Get your start in a rewarding, in-demand profession with a one of the best degrees in health services. Whether you want to jump right into a career in a healthcare...
Best Math Education Degrees
Do you want to teach the next Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos? These Silicon Valley chiefs all rely on one thing: math. It forms the basis of computer programming, and...
Best Public Safety Administration Degrees
Those who have worked in public safety for years know the benefits of having a career where you can make a direct impact in the lives of others. The people...
Best Respiratory Therapy Degrees
Human beings take around eight million breaths each year. But what happens when this basic function begins to stutter or even stop? Bronchitis or COPD can affect a person’s ability...
Best Aeronautics/Aviation Degrees
Are you interested in becoming a professional or commercial pilot? Are you dreaming about being in the skies? Perhaps you want to stay grounded but you hope to design or...
Best Biomedical Engineering Degrees
Save lives and transform our healthcare system with one of the nation's best Bachelor's in Biomedical Engineering degrees. Are you passionate about product and software design? Are you equally interested...
Best Logistics and Supply Chain Management Degrees
“Supply chain management” refers to the steps a company takes to transform raw materials into a final product that is delivered to customers. Supply chain management typically covers five stages:...
Online College Resources
Career Paths for Law School Graduates
Legal training prepares graduates for a variety of in-demand careers. Many law careers pay above-average salaries and report strong job growth. Professionals in the criminal justice and law field interpret and enforce the law. They work in law enforcement, the court system, and the correctional system. Some law school career paths include high-paying roles like […]
Scholarships and Financial Aid for Online Law School Students
Earning a law degree opens professional doors. However, law school graduates owe an average of over . Scholarships and other forms of financial aid can help law school students obtain...
College Preparation Checklist
Preparing for college before the first day sets up new students for success. Beginning college can be overwhelming, even for learners who have taken college-level classes in the past. Knowing...