The United States continues to be a favorite study destination for international students from all over the world, including Indonesia. The world-class quality of education, a student-friendly multicultural environment and great opportunities to get jobs in many global companies make the United States an ideal country for continuing education at various levels, from bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. There are at least 4000 universities in the United States that can be chosen by international students who are interested in continuing their studies in a superpower with the largest economy in the world. Then of the 4000 universities in the United States, which universities are the best universities in the United States?
Check out the list of the top 10 best universities in America according to the QS 2023 version which can be your choice of study in the United States below.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
The best university in the United States as well as the best university in the world based on the version released by QS in 2023 is the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a research-oriented university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The university, which has been established since 1861, has opened at least 114 undergraduate programs and 50 postgraduate programs in various fields of study including anthropology, architecture, biology, business analytics, chemistry, economics, comparative media studies and many more.
In addition to various study programs, MIT also provides various supporting facilities that support the teaching and learning process at MIT including 12 museums and art galleries available on the MIT campus, more than 60 student clubs to more than 60 laboratories and research centers that also collaborate with 800 companies to support various research conducted by faculty and students.
MIT has also given birth to many well-known alumni who are also influential figures in the United States including Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, Andrea Wong, President of Sony International Production and also Richard Feymann, Nobel laureate in Physics thanks to his research in the field of quantum electrodynamics .
2. Stanford University
The next best university in the United States is Stanford University , which is also ranked as the 3rd best university in the world in the 2023 QS version. One of the largest universities in the United States, which has been established since 1891, opens various study programs at all levels of education for the field of study such as business, education, engineering, humanities and sciences, law, medicine and sustainability . Many influential figures in the world and the United States attended Stanford University , including Larry Page and Sergey Brin (founders of Google ), Marrisa Myer (CEO of Yahoo ), Peter Thiel (founders of PayPal ) and Kevin Systrom (founders and CEO of Instagram).
The location of Stanford University is in the middle of Silicon Valley , an area in California which is known as a global technology and innovation center which is the headquarters for many of the world’s technology companies such as Yahoo, Google, Hewlett Packard and many more. The development of Silicon Valley itself is inseparable from Stanford University’s big role in continuing to channel investment to start-up companies in the technology sector. Until now, Stanford University continues to consistently provide large amounts of investment for various student entrepreneurship activities.
3. Harvard University
The university that has managed to rank as the 3rd best in the United States as well as the 5th best in the world according to the 2023 QS version is Harvard University, a university whose academic reputation is perhaps the most well-known throughout the world. The university, which is also located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is one of the oldest universities in the United States which has been established since 1636. Currently, Harvard University opens study programs at all levels of education for fields such as anthropology, applied mathematics, business, linguistics, literature, mathematics, mechanical engineering, physics, and many more.
In the 400-year long history of Harvard University , many Harvard University graduates have received prestigious awards in various fields such as the Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award. Several world figures who have studied at Harvard University include former Presidents of the United States, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, writers Margaret Atwood, Ralph Waldo Emerson and TS Elliot.
4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
California Institute of Technology or commonly abbreviated as Caltech is the next best university in the United States. The university which is also ranked 6th in the 2023 version of the list of the best universities in the world is located in Pasadena, California. As one of the best universities in America and the world, Caltech is known as one of the most difficult universities to enter, with an acceptance rate of only around 3.9% of the total number of prospective students who apply. Currently, Caltech has opened 28 majors for the undergraduate level and 30 other majors for the postgraduate level, both Masters and Doctoral.
In addition to quality study programs, Caltech also has many research activities supported by world-class supporting facilities including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (owned by NASA), Caltech Seismological Laboratory and the International Observatory Network . It’s no wonder that Caltech has many of the best graduates in the field of technology such as Linus Pauling who won the Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1954, Thomas Hunt Morgan who won the Nobel Prize in medicine in 1933 and Kip S. Thorne who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 2017.
5. University of Chicago
The next university on the list of the best universities in the United States is the University of Chicago which is located in the city of Chicago, one of the busiest cities in the United States. Students who are interested in continuing their studies at the University of Chicago can choose 53 main specializations at the undergraduate level and various choices of majors at the postgraduate level spread across 4 (four) academic divisions and 7 (seven) professional schools including Prizker School of Medicine, Booth School of Business and Harris School of Public Policy Studies.
The university which is ranked 10th in the world does not only offer world-class study programs, but also opens more than 400 student organizations in various fields such as politics, entrepreneurship, sports, music, theater, comedy and so on. The University of Chicago has also given birth to many Nobel Prize and Pulitzer Prize winners in many fields including the Nobel Prize winner in chemistry in 2019, John B. Goodenough, in physics in 2020, Andrea Ghez and the Pulitzer Prize winner in drama in 2019. 2001, David Auburn.
6. University of Pennsylvania
The next best university in the United States is the University of Pennsylvania which is ranked the 13th best university in the world in the 2023 QS version. The university, which is located in the City of Philadelphia and is usually shortened to UPenn, was founded by Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States in 1740. Currently, the University of Pennsylvania offers various study programs for all levels of education in many fields of study such as Accounting, Anthropology, Business, Data Science, Finance, Fine Arts, Management, Marketing and many more. In addition, the Wharton School , a department at the University of Pennsylvania which handles various study programs in the field of business, also considered as one of the best business schools in the world.
Not only studying, students studying at the University of Pennsylvania also have the opportunity to take part in various sports, social, religious and cultural activities organized by the university. One of the cultural events that continues to be a tradition at the university is the Spring Fling , a university festival filled with concerts and other exciting activities at Penn Park.
Just like the other best universities in the United States, the University of Pennsylvania has also given birth to many famous figures of all time including billionaire Warren Buffet, founder of Tesla and Space X – Elon Musk and founder of the world cosmetic brand, Estee Lauder – Leonard Lauder.
7. Princeton University
The next university on the list of the best universities in the United States is Princeton University , one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States which has been established since 1746. The university located in New Jersey now has 36 departments that offer at least 54 undergraduate level study programs, 18 study programs at the Masters level and 75 study programs at the Doctoral level. In addition, Princeton University also has many non-academic activities that all students studying at this university can participate in, including 500 student organizations, more than 400 internship opportunities in international companies and 37 university sports teams.
Another interesting thing about Princeton University is its various buildings that have iconic architecture, including the Lewis Library which was designed by one of the world’s best architects, Frank Gehry. Apart from that, Princeton University also has an art museum which houses more than 100,000 art collections.
Several important figures from the world and the United States who have studied at Princeton University are Woodrow Wilson (28th President of the United States), Steve Forbes (CEO of Forbes Incorporation ), Meg Whitman (CEO of Hewlett Packard ), Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon ) to Michele Obama, former First Lady of the United States.
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8. Yale University
The next best university in the United States is Yale University , which is located in New Haven, Connecticut. The university, which has been established since 1701, is now ranked 18th in the QS 2023 list of the world’s best universities. Currently, Yale University has more than 100 academic and study programs for all levels of education for many disciplines including arts and humanities, engineering and technology, life sciences and medicine, natural sciences and social sciences and management.
One of Yale University ‘s most well-known majors is its drama and music study program which is supported by various associated clubs at the university including the acapella club, Yale Whiffenpoofs and the Yale Dramatic Association drama club. It is not surprising that Yale University has given birth to many influential figures in Hollywood, who are the mecca of world cinema, such as Merly Streep, Jodie Foster, Jennifer Connelly, Angela Basset and Lupita Nyongo.
9. Cornell University
Cornell University is another best university in the United States which is now ranked as the 20 best university in the world by QS 2023. The university located in New York was founded by 2 (two) former New York State Senators, Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, in in 1865. Today, Cornell University offers a variety of programs of study at all levels of education, both undergraduate and postgraduate, in many disciplines. The 3 (three) disciplines most in demand by students wishing to study at Cornell University are hotel management, engineering and architecture.
In addition to quality study programs, Cornell University also offers a variety of other supporting facilities that can support the learning process including the Herbert F. Johnson art museum, Cornell Cinema, Lynah Skating Rink to more than 1,000 interesting student organizations including archery clubs, clubs rock and roll to Kungfu club. In addition, Cornell University’s student canteen is always on the list of the best student canteens offered by universities in the United States.
Several alumni of Cornell University who have become influential figures in both the United States and the world include Tsai Ing Wen – politician and President of Taiwan, Kurt Vonnegut – legendary US writer, Toni Morrison – US novelist and many others.
10. Columbia University
The last university on the list of the top 10 best universities in America is Columbia University , which is currently ranked 22nd in the world’s best universities based on the version released by QS 2023. This research-oriented private university is the oldest university in New York and the fifth oldest university in the United States which has been established since 1954. Currently, Columbia University offers many study programs for all bachelor, master and doctoral levels which are divided into 21 academic departments ( school ), with the most popular study programs including social sciences, engineering, computer and information sciences , biological sciences and English literature.
In addition to quality study programs, Columbia University is also the home of the Pulitzer Prize which is a prestigious world-class award for the highest achievement in the fields of journalism, literature to musical composition. Since this award was first given in 1917, there have been at least 90 Columbia University alumni who have won the Pulitzer Prize including Ira Gershwin, composer for various world legendary musical performances. In addition to the many Pulitzer Prize winners , other influential figures have attended Columbia University are the former President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, world science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, legendary director Stanley Kubrick and musician Alicia Keys and all members of the band Vampire Weekend.