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1,024 Best Bachelor's Universities in the United States

Of the 1,024 Bachelor's universities in the United States, Harvard University ranks highest at #5 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Next come Cornell University (QS World #13) and University of Chicago (QS World #13). The universities on this list offer 24,131 matching courses between them.

1,024 universities · ranked best first

how we rank
1010Ranked
SC Simmons College of Kentucky logo
United States
Not yet ranked No QS position or research record found

How these universities are ranked

69 of these universities hold a QS World position, from #5 (Harvard University) to #593 (University of Central Florida); they are listed first, in that order. Below them, universities follow their research output: Harvard University is cited most (146,463,495 citations). 40 universities have neither a QS position nor a research record yet and appear at the end, marked "Not yet ranked".

Public, private and where they are

1,013 are public and 11 private (99% public). By location, Massachusetts (5), New York (5) and California (3) account for the most of those we can place. The oldest is Harvard University, founded in 1636. Ohio State University-Main Campus is the largest, with 45,638 students.

Inside the course list

The most common subjects are Social Sciences & Psychology (3,312), Business & Management (2,660), Education (1,799) and Medicine & Health Sciences (1,644). The usual length is 4 years and 2 years. 96% are full-time and 841 can be studied online. Start dates lean to Fall (100% of courses with a stated intake) and Spring (100% of courses with a stated intake). Humboldt State University offers the widest choice, with 298 of these courses.

What it costs

We hold indicative fees for 41 of these universities. University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at USD 5,274 a year and Columbia University the most at USD 66,000; the middle of the range is about USD 22,870. Check each university's own fee page before you budget — figures change every year.

Frequently asked questions

What are the top universities for Bachelor's in the United States?

Harvard University (QS World #5), Cornell University (QS World #13) and University of Chicago (QS World #13) lead this list. QS World positions come first; the rest are ranked by research impact.

Which is the cheapest university for Bachelor's in the United States?

Of those with published fees, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez is the least expensive at about USD 5,274 a year. Fees are indicative — confirm on the university's site.

How many public universities offer Bachelor's in the United States?

1,013 public and 11 private universities are on this list.

How long does a Bachelor's course take in the United States?

Most listed courses run 4 years, with 2 years the next most common.

When do Bachelor's courses start in the United States?

Fall is the main intake — 100% of courses with a stated start date begin then, and Spring is the second.

Can I study Bachelor's online with a university in the United States?

841 of these courses are listed as online.

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