Best Northern Universities

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Top Northern Regional Universities

Our 2016 Ranking of the Best Northern Regional Universities 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 Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, these factors include Academic reputation, financial aid offerings, overall cost, and success of graduates in the post-college job market. Each of these factors were weighted equally in our ranking and data was derived from a variety of publicly available sources, including U.S. News & World Report, the National Center for Education Statistics, and PayScale.com.

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Top 10 Best Northern Universities

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  1. Villanova University
    Location

    Villanova, PA

    Tuition

    $30587

    Villanova University was founded in 1842 on 260 acres in Philadelphia and was named after Spanish Augustinian St. Thomas of Villanova. Villanova is home to 7,042 students. Villanova is comprised of four colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Villanova School of Business, the College of Engineering, and the College of Nursing. Students at Villanova enjoy very small classes (48.2 percent have fewer than 20 students) and a low student/faculty ratio of 12:1. Villanova accepts only 48.9 percent of its applicants, 94.3 percent of whom return for their sophomore year. Tuition and fees at Villanova University total $45,966 and the average starting salary for graduates is $53,300.

    • Academic reputation score: 100
    • Average financial aid: $25,709
    • Average net price: $30,587
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  2. Bentley University
    Location

    Waltham, MA

    Tuition

    $30501

    Bentley University is a renowned business university that focuses on training the next generation of leaders. Located minutes from Boston, Bentley's 4,247 students have plenty of opportunity for internships during school and jobs upon graduation, with an average starting salary of $58,000. Bentley's student/faculty ratio is 14:1, 28.9 percent of all classes have fewer than 20 students, and its freshman retention rate is 94 percent. Students at Bentley can choose among more than 100 student organizations on campus. The total cost to attend Bentley University is $42,511 and 39.2 percent of students had their financial needs met in full.

    • Academic reputation score: 78
    • Average financial aid: $24,308
    • Average net price: $30,501
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  3. Loyola University Maryland
    Location

    Baltimore, MD

    Tuition

    $31306

    Located in Baltimore, MD, Loyola University Maryland is one of the premiere Catholic university's on the east coast. Loyola offers more than 30 undergraduate majors of study to its 4,004 undergraduate students. Loyola admits 58 percent of its applicants, 88 percent of whom return for their sophomore year, and 79 percent of whom graduate in four years. The most popular areas of study at the university are Business; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; Social Sciences; Psychology; and Speech-Language Pathology. With a student/faculty ratio of 12:1 and with 38.2 percent of its classes having fewer than 20 students, students at Loyola enjoy a personalized academic environment. The cost for tuition and fees at Loyola total $44,255 per year and the average starting pay for graduates is $52,000.

    • Academic reputation score: 80
    • Average financial aid: $25,428
    • Average net price: $31,306
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  4. The College of New Jersey
    Location

    Ewing, NJ

    Tuition

    $18464

    The College of New Jersey's aim is to keep the most talented students in-state for their college education. Located in the capital city of Trenton, The College of New Jersey is home to 6,653 students who can choose among 50 undergraduate programs and among 150 students organizations. The student/faculty ratio is 13:1, 38.8 percent of classes have less than 20 students, and TCNJ has a 94.3 percent freshman retention. The university only accepts 43.1 percent of its applicants, out-of-state tuition and fees total $25,637 per year, and the average starting pay for graduates is $50,300.

    • Academic reputation score: 80
    • Average financial aid: $10,110
    • Average net price: $18,464
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  5. Providence College
    Location

    Providence, RI

    Tuition

    $34388

    Providence College is a private, Catholic school that has a total cost for tuition and fees of $43,245 per year. Providence is home to 4,239 students who participate in a core curriculum that balances academic rigor, shared values, and uncommon camaraderie. Providence offers 50 bachelor's degrees and over 100 student clubs and organizations. Providence has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1 and 47.9 percent of its classes have fewer than 20 students. Ninety and half percent of students returned for their second year and 83 percent graduate in fours years. The average starting salary for students is $50,900.

    • Academic reputation score: 83
    • Average financial aid: $21,827
    • Average net price: $34,388
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  6. Rochester Institute of Technology
    Location

    Rochester, NY

    Tuition

    $27639

    Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 on 1,300 acres along the Genesee River in Rochester, NY. It is home to 13,880 students, who can choose to major in the areas of liberal arts, art and design, and business as well as science and technology, and it boasts over 300 student organizations. Class sizes are fairly small, (43.3 percent have fewer than 20 students) and a Rochester has a student/faculty ratio of 14:1. Rochester accepts 60.2 percent of its applicants, 87.5 percent of whom return for their sophomore year. Tuition and fees at Rochester Institute of Technology total $35,768 per year and the average starting pay for graduates is $55,900 a year.

    • Academic reputation score: 74
    • Average financial aid: $18,073
    • Average net price: $27,639
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  7. Fairfield University
    Location

    Fairfield, CT

    Tuition

    $36853

    Fairfield University's Catholic tradition emphasizes intellectual inquiry, the pursuit of social justice, and cultivation of the whole person. Fairfield is home to 3,873 students who can choose among 40 majors and 80 student organizations. Located in Fairfield, CT, the university boasts a student/faculty ratio of 11:1, with 53.3 percent of its classes having fewer than twenty students, and 87.8 percent of freshmen returning for their second year. Tuition and fees at Fairfield University total $43,770 per year, and the average starting pay for graduates is $50,900.

    • Academic reputation score: 80
    • Average financial aid: $19,855
    • Average net price: $36,853
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  8. Manhattan College
    Location

    Riverdale, NY

    Tuition

    $26151

    Located on 22 acres in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is home to 3,403 students who can choose from several areas of study within the schools of arts, business, engineering, science, and education. Manhattan provides a broad liberal arts education with specific focus in the arts and sciences or professional preparation. Manhattan accepts 66.2 percent of applicants, has a student/faculty ratio of 12:1, and 46.5 percent of its class have less than 20 students. The school has a freshman retention rate of 85.3 percent and 60 percent of students graduate in four years. The cost for tuition and fees at Manhattan University total $35,725 per year and graduates earn an average salary of $57,500.

    • Academic reputation score: 63
    • Average financial aid: $18,884
    • Average net price: $26,151
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  9. University of Scranton
    Location

    Scranton, PA

    Tuition

    $32348

    University of Scranton is a private institution founded in 1888. It is comprised of four colleges and schools and offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees. Located on 58 acres in Scranton, PA, the university is home to 3,942 students. The student/faculty ratio is a small 11:1, class sizes are relatively small with 48.5 percent having less than 20 students, and Scranton has an 88.5 percent freshman retention. The University of Scranton accepts 75.1 percent of its applicants, tuition and fees total $39,906 per year, and the average starting salary for graduates is $47,900.

    • Academic reputation score: 76
    • Average financial aid: $19,663
    • Average net price: $32,348
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

  10. Bryant University
    Location

    Smithfield, RI

    Tuition

    $32486

    Located on 428 acres in Smithfield, RI, Bryant University has a total cost for tuition and fees of $38,574 per year. Its First-Year Gateway program is nationally renowned and focuses on fundamental questions about the role of the individual's character and leadership in a rapidly changing world of organizations and business. Bryant has a student/faculty ratio of 16:1 and 25.3 percent of its classes have fewer than twenty students. Of its 3,287 students, 87 percent returned for their second year. The average starting salary for students from Bryant University is $53,700.

    • Academic reputation score: 70
    • Average financial aid: $18,458
    • Average net price: $32,486
    • Average starting salary: PayScale.com
    • Admissions website

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