100 Top Public Universities in the U.S. – 2024

Academic Highlights: Close to half of classrooms contain fewer than twenty Bruins, but those taking introductory courses will find themselves in a fair number of lecture halls with a hundred or more students. Professors are given impressively high marks for a research university of UCLA’s size. 93% of College of Letters and Science seniors rate their professors as being intellectually challenging. By the time they graduate, 45% of undergraduates have participated in a research experience. Every year, roughly one-quarter of the undergraduate population elects to study abroad, a sharp increase from only a few years ago. UCLA has 115 partner universities in 40+ countries around the globe.

Professional Outcomes: Thousands of alumni can be found working at Google, Amazon, and Apple. Companies that employ over 100 Bruins each include Meta, Microsoft, Netflix, TikTok, NVIDIA, and LinkedIn. Ultimately, one-third of UCLA grads go on to enroll in graduate/professional school, with many choosing to stay at their alma mater. Otherwise, the most attended grad schools are primarily other excellent California-based institutions including Stanford, USC, and Berkeley. For graduates early in their careers, the median salary is $78,600, with mid-career median earnings reaching over $149k. Many alumni remain in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area after graduating; other popular destinations include the San Francisco Bay area and New York City.

Academic Highlights: Undergrads can study within one of eight colleges/schools, which all offer many small classes; 14% boast single-digit enrollment and 48% contain 19 or fewer students. Undergraduate research opportunities can be challenging to uncover at any large school where graduate students get the prime spots, yet, UVA does offer a multitude of formal opportunities as well as the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium and three undergraduate research journals. The classroom at UVA extends well beyond Charlottesville as one-fifth enjoy a semester abroad through one of fifty programs around the world.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their degree, 86% of the Class of 2023 immediately joined the workforce–with an average starting salary of $82k–or headed directly to graduate school.  Capital One (58), Amazon (45), Deloitte (41), and Accenture (34) scooped up the greatest number of 2023 grads. UVA itself was the most popular grad school destination followed by Columbia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Duke.

Academic Highlights: More than 150 undergraduate majors and minors are available across six schools. Undergrads will encounter a mix of large lectures (20% of sections contain more than 50 students) and tiny, single-digit enrollments in seminar-style courses (21% of sections contain nine or fewer students). Plenty of undergraduate research opportunities exist, with many facilitated by the Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarships; 48% of students participate in research during their time at Berkeley. Over 200 study abroad opportunities are available for those who desire them, and approximately 1,800 undergrads take advantage each year.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduating, 53% of Cal’s Class of 2023 had already secured employment, and 17% were headed to graduate school. The median starting salary was $94,000 across all majors. Thousands of alumni can be found in the offices of Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, and 500+ Golden Bears are currently employed by NVIDIA and LinkedIn. The school is the number one all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers. For those continuing their education, most chose to stay at UC Berkeley, with Stanford, the University of Southern California, Columbia, and Harvard rounding out the top five grad school destinations.

Academic Highlights: There are 280+ undergraduate degree programs across fourteen schools and colleges. Michigan sports a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 18% of classes contain 50 or more students, but a solid 53% of classes offer a more intimate experience with fewer than 20 students. The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program draws in 1,300 participants each year who partner with 800+ research mentors. For students in all academic programs at Michigan, study abroad opportunities are taken advantage of at high rates. In fact, the university is second in the nation in the number of students it sends to study in foreign lands.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of graduating, 89% of LSA grads are employed full-time or in graduate school. The median salary across all majors is approximately 70k. Top employers include PwC, EY, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, Citi, Bank of America, and Capital One.  Within six months, 93% of engineering grads are employed (average salary of $99k) or in grad school. General Motors, Ford, Google, Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft employ the greatest number of alumni.

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can choose from 74 bachelor’s degree programs across several schools and colleges. 87% of classes have fewer than 50 students, while 39% of classes have a student enrollment under 20. UNC sends forty percent of graduates abroad to one of 70 countries at some point in their educational career. Research is required as part of the general education curriculum, and plenty of faculty-mentored opportunities and funded formal programs are also available. In 2024, over 600 students shared their research at the annual Celebration of Undergraduate Research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after leaving Chapel Hill, 94% of 2023 grads had entered employment, military service, or graduate school. Among the for-profit companies that hire the most graduates are Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Amazon, Fidelity Investments, and Epic Games. In the nonprofit sector, a large number of alumni are employed by AmeriCorps, NIH, Teach for America, and the Peace Corps. The average starting salary is $74,292. Nine percent of 2023 grads enrolled directly in graduate/professional school.

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty ratio at UC Santa Barbara is a decent 17:1, and the school does an excellent job of keeping undergraduate class sizes on the small side. In fact, more than half of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and 72% enroll 29 or fewer. Undergraduate research opportunities definitely exist for those willing to forge relationships with faculty outside the classroom. A solid 63% of graduates report engaging in some type of faculty-guided research. It’s not as easy to inspire Gauchos to leave their campus paradise for a semester in a foreign land—only around 20% of students participate in study abroad.

Professional Outcomes:  Over 500 UC Santa Barbara alumni currently work at Google, Apple, and Amazon, while Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, AppFolio, and NVIDIA each employ 100+. Early in their career, UCSB alumni make a median salary of $75k; by mid-career, they earn a median income of $152k. Most graduates settle in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, followed by the San Francisco Bay area, and the San Diego metropolitan area.

Academic Highlights: There are 140+ undergraduate majors offered at UCSD, and all students join one of eight undergraduate colleges meant to forge flourishing communities within the larger university. While 26% of course sections are held in larger lecture halls and contain 50+ students, 42% of undergraduate courses sport an enrollment under 20. Twenty percent of undergrads assist faculty with at least one research project during their time at the university; Roughly one-third of undergraduate study abroad per year, and over 400 opportunities in 40+ countries are available for those who desire a semester of study outside of the United States.

Professional Outcomes: Employers of recent graduates included Amazon, Boeing, EY, KPMG, Morgan Stanley, Oracle, Qualcomm, and Tesla. More than 1,000 current Google employees are UC San Diego alumni, and Apple, Meta, and Microsoft all employ 500+ each. The median early career salary is $70,000 across all majors, placing the university in the top 10 public universities in the country. UCSD also fares well in measures of its return-on-investment potential.

Academic Highlights: Being a large research university, the student-to-faculty ratio is a less-than-ideal 18:1, leading to some larger undergraduate class sections. In fact, 51% of courses had enrollments of more than thirty students in 2023. On the other end of the spectrum, 9% of sections had single-digit enrollments. While not all of your professors will know you by name, there are plenty of ways that motivated students can strike up meaningful faculty-student relationships, with nearly 50% collaborating on research with professors at some point during their undergraduate career. Fifty-two percent of Tech students have gone abroad by the time they graduate, with a growing number electing to complete internships in a foreign land rather than academic coursework. In a given year, 130+ undergraduate students participate in a global internship.

Professional Outcomes: More than three-quarters of recent grads had already procured employment by the time they were handed their diplomas. You will find graduates at every major technology company in the world. Recent employers include Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Capital One, and Apple. The median salary of the Class of 2023 was $84,000, with recent grads settling mostly in the Atlanta metro area. The next three most popular destinations are San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, DC.

Academic Highlights: Over forty undergraduate programs are available and William & Mary has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Class sizes are rarely tiny seminars, but 44% do enroll fewer than twenty students, and only 10% contain more than fifty. An extremely high percentage of undergrads study abroad for a semester; by graduation, roughly half of the class has done so, traveling to one of more than 60 countries. Undergraduate research opportunities are widely available.

Professional Outcomes: 53% of recent grads joined the workforce, and 35% entered graduate school within six months of graduation. Over 500 employers snatched up at least one member of the Tribe. Companies hiring at least four recent grads included Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, KPMG, and Deloitte. Many of those opting for immediate entry into graduate school stayed at their alma mater, with other alums attending Columbia, Duke, Emory, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Chicago.

Academic Highlights: With 16 colleges and 100 undergraduate majors to choose from, educational experiences are exceptionally diverse. UF impressively offers 50% of sections with an enrollment of fewer than 20 students. The Center for Undergraduate Research offers a University Research Scholars program as well as summer opportunities, hosts its own Undergraduate Research Symposium, and publishes its own UF Journal of Undergraduate Research. Forty percent of all undergrads have such an experience. The school has connections to 1,100 study abroad programs that are taken advantage of by more than 2,900 undergrads each year.

Professional Outcomes: The University of Florida demonstrates exceptional career preparation, with 83% of the Class of 2024 securing employment by graduation day. Gator alumni have established a strong presence at leading tech giants, with 200+ graduates currently working at Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Oracle. The class achieved an impressive average starting salary of $68,000. For those continuing their education, popular graduate destinations include the University of South Florida, Nova Southeastern University, and Georgia Tech, showcasing UF’s strong pipeline to both immediate employment and advanced academic opportunities.

Academic Highlights: UT Austin offers over 170 majors. Sn encouraging 36% of course sections enroll nineteen or fewer students. Opportunities for undergraduate research vary by school, and many student must compete for slots in programs such as Summer Research Scholars or use the Eureka database to find individual professors offering research assistantships. A robust study abroad program boasts 400 offerings in 100+ foreign countries; 4,600+ students participate each year, the third-largest number in the country.

Professional Outcomes:  Over 1000 alumni work in the offices of Dell, Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Deloitte; IBM, Meta, Oracle, and AMD employ over 500 each. Graduates early in their careers earn a median salary of $77,400, with median mid-career pay reaching $141,100. Roughly one-quarter of University of Texas at Austin undergraduates go on to pursue advanced degrees after completing their bachelor’s. Many pursue advanced study at UT Austin itself, which offers more than one hundred graduate programs. Many alumni stay in Texas after graduation, settling in Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty is a 17:1, which translates into somewhat larger class sizes. Ten percent of sections contain more than fifty students, and 4% have more than 100. However, that is balanced by the 66% of sections that contain fewer than twenty students. Undergraduate research is taken advantage of by one-quarter of students, and the school plans to greatly expand such offerings in the coming years. An abundance of study abroad choices include special summer programs in Panama, Florence, London, and Valencia, Spain. FSU has 60 academic programs available in 20 locations throughout the world; 2,500+ students per year participate.

Professional Outcomes: Eighty-three percent of job-seeking Seminole grads receive at least one offer of employment within three months of graduation. Thirty percent of seniors found employment through Career Center services at FSU. Employers hiring the greatest number of FSU alumni include Apple, Northrop Grumman, EY, General Motors, and Deloitte. Roughly one-third of recent Florida State grads elected to immediately pursue admission into an advanced degree program; 84% of those who apply receive at least one acceptance. Geographically, the greatest number of alumni remain in Florida but large numbers also relocate to Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, New York, and California.

Academics: While class sizes aren’t small, 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 67% of classes are kept under fifty students. There are numerous opportunities for undergraduate research through programs like the McNair Scholars Program, the Biology Undergraduate Research Program, and the Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship. All in all, 50% of Aggies engage in some type of research/creative project outside the classroom, and over 700 present at the annual undergraduate research conference.

Professional Outcomes: Many recent grads found homes in Silicon Valley or other California-based employers. Corporations employing 200 or more Aggies include Google, Apple, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, LinkedIn, and Tesla. Graduates earn a median salary of $79,000 at the beginning of their careers, but ten years out of school, median earnings rise to $147k. Most Aggies reside in the San Francisco Bay Area, with Sacramento, Davis, and Los Angeles proving popular with graduates as well.

Academic Highlights: UCI offers over eighty undergrad programs as well as many opportunities for personal connection; 54% of all sections enroll 19 or fewer students and over 70% of students participate in undergraduate research. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program helps students with proposal writing, developing research plans, and presenting their results at the annual spring UCI Undergraduate Research Symposium and/or publishing their results in the UCI Undergraduate Research Journal.

Professional Outcomes: Companies employing large numbers of recent grads include Amazon, Deloitte, Northrop Grumman, Ernst & Young, and PwC. Hundreds of alumni are also found at Google, Microsoft, and Meta. The median salary is $70,000, with School of Information and Computer Sciences grads earning $117k right off the bat. 38% of graduates enroll in graduate school, with many choosing to remain at UC Irvine. The majority pursue master’s degrees (89%), with the remainder enrolling in doctorate programs.

Academic Highlights: Eight of UIUC’s fifteen schools cater to undergraduate students. Illinois’ student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1 is high even for a public institution, but the school still manages to keep 39% of sections capped at 19 students. Further, 40% of undergraduates participate in research; over 800 students each year present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Unique opportunities for experiential learning abound at Research Park, an on-campus technology hub and business incubator that hosts more than 120 major corporations and 800 student interns.

Professional Outcomes: 91% of recent UIUC grads landed at their next destination within six months of graduation, with 35% matriculating directly into an advanced degree program. 56% were employed full-time. Corporations landing the most recent Illinois grads were Amazon, Deloitte, Epic, KPMG, and PwC. The average salary across all majors was an extremely solid $76,000. Two-thirds of graduates remained in the Land of Lincoln; California and New York commandeer the next greatest percentages of migrating alumni.

Academic Highlights: UConn is home to fourteen schools and colleges as well as 115+ undergraduate majors. Overall, the school does a nice job creating a balance of classroom experiences with 51% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students and only 18% containing more than fifty. To help forge even deeper connections with faculty, the Office of Undergraduate Research encourages students to schedule advising sessions to apply for both internal and external research posts. Hundreds of study abroad options are on the table, and the university has taken steps to increase the rate of participation, which currently sits around 18%.

Professional Outcomes: 91% of the Class of 2023 experienced a positive outcome (job, grad school, military, volunteer position) within six months of earning their degrees. Among the 58% who found employment, the largest numbers landed at Travelers, Hartford Healthcare, The Hartford, General Dynamics, PwC, and Lockheed Martin; the median starting salary was $60,000. Massive numbers of alumni are employed by Pfizer, CVS Health, Deloitte, and Amazon. 33% of 2023 graduates immediately entered a graduate or professional program, with many choosing to stay at UConn.

Academic Highlights: Forty percent of sections have an enrollment of under twenty students while 18% enroll more than 50. Plenty of personal connection with professors is available to those who seek it. Structured undergraduate research opportunities are available within every single school at UPitt; the bi-annual Research & Creative Expression Fair features 100+ projects. There are 350 study abroad programs in 75 countries, and many take advantage.

Professional Outcomes: Within a few months of graduating, 98% of 2023 grads entered full-time employment or full-time graduate or professional school. Employers scooping up the highest number of grads in one recent year included the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (208), PNC (67), BNY Mellon (37), and Deloitte (21). The median salary across all majors was $62,127. Pittsburgh, Philly, New York, and DC host the most alumni.

Academic Highlights: Undergraduates can select from 100+ majors across twelve colleges and schools. 47% of class sections enroll fewer than twenty students. Undergraduate research opportunities are within reach as 21% of recent graduates completed one. The Office of Undergraduate Research facilitates numerous opportunities throughout the year, and hosts an annual Undergraduate Research Day and Summer Undergraduate Research Conference at which 550+ students make presentations. Fourteen percent of students also pursue a study abroad experience at one of 300+ destinations in 60 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 94% of Class of 2023 grads had positive outcomes. 71% found employment; the companies/organizations that hired the greatest number of grads included Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, Capital One, and Montgomery County Public Schools. Amazon, Google, and Microsoft employ more than 900 alumni each.  The salary range for 2023 grads was between $60k and $86k. 21% of the Class of 2023 headed directly to graduate and professional school.

Academic Highlights: UGA boasts seventeen distinct colleges and schools that offer 125+ majors. 49% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students compared with 12% of sections that enroll 50 or more. No matter your major, UGA encourages you to conduct research with a member of the school’s faculty. The Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) awards grants to 500 students per year, and in 2024, a robust 620+ students presented at the CURO Symposium. Meanwhile, the Office of Global Engagement helps 3,000 students annually find which of the 100+ study abroad programs (many of which are led by UGA faculty) is right for them

Professional Outcomes: 95% of the Class of 2023 was employed or continuing their education six months after graduation. Popular employers include Accenture, the CDC, Deloitte, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, PwC, and Bank of America. Salaries vary between colleges; however, the median hovers around 60k. In 2023, 23% of graduates enrolled directly into a graduate/professional degree program, with the most commonly attended schools including Duke, Emory, Georgetown, UNC Chapel Hill, and Vanderbilt.

Academic Highlights: There are 230+ undergraduate majors offered across eight schools and colleges, Undergrads can expect a mix of large and small classes, with 43% of sections enrolling fewer than 20 students. Undergraduate research opportunities exist, but the onus is on the student to show initiative and procure the placement. Still, 44% of recent grads engaged in research, and the school hosts an annual Undergraduate Symposium where 600 students presented in 2024. Participation is much higher when it comes to study abroad programs; 25% of students take advantage each year and there are 325 programs in 80 countries to choose from.

Professional Outcomes: In 2023, 72% of job-seeking grads graduated with an offer.  Top employers included UW-Madison, Epic, UW Health, the State of Wisconsin, Kohl’s, and Deloitte. Across all graduating years, companies employing 250+ alumni include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Target, Apple, Meta, and Salesforce. Class of 2023 grads enrolled in graduate/professional programs at a rate of 28%; volunteering is also a popular path post-graduation for UW-Madison alumni as the university is the #1 producer of Peace Corps volunteers.

Academic Highlights: Over 100 majors are offered across eight undergraduate colleges. You will encounter a number of smaller sections during your time at UMass as 47% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students; a stunning 96% of graduates report being satisfied with their academic experience. Further, a substantial and encouraging 30% report engaging in some type of undergraduate research. For a large university, UMass also enjoys fairly wide participation in its study abroad program. Every year, 1,200 students spend a semester in one of 56 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after graduating, 62% of newly minted 2023 grads were employed full-time and 24% were attending graduate school part-time. Companies presently employing 100+ Minutemen and Minutewomen include Fidelity, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Meta, and Salesforce. Boston is the most popular landing spot for graduates. Boston is the most popular landing spot for graduates; it’s followed by Springfield, Massachusetts, and New York City.

Academic Highlights: The student-to-faculty ratio is on the high side at 18:1, but class sizes are reasonably small with 48% of sections containing fewer than twenty students. Research opportunities abound, with the Freshman Research Immersion program being one shining example. This program welcomes students to college with a year-long authentic research experience in the sciences and engineering.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 saw 84% of job-seeking graduates land their first professional job and 92% of grad school applicants accepted within six months of commencement. The average starting salary procured was $76,523, well above the national average for college grads. Graduates were successful in finding employment at firms like Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, and Citi. Binghamton grads pursued further education at institutions including American University, Boston University, Columbia University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Academic Highlights: There are 250+ undergraduate majors and 18 schools and colleges housed within OSU. A 17-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to fairly large classes as only 40% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, so expect a fair number of courses in a large lecture hall setting. Still, aggressive students can find opportunities to work closely with faculty. The Office of Undergraduate Research & Inquiry helps approximately 600 students per year participate in undergraduate research forums. All told, approximately 20% of students gain research experience. Last year, nearly 1,800 undergraduates elected to study abroad in one of 350+ short- and long-term programs spread across 70 countries; OSU has the third-highest study abroad enrollment numbers in the Big 10.

Professional Outcomes: Upon receiving their diplomas, 64% of Class of 2023 graduates entered the world of employment while 14% were already accepted into graduate or professional school.  Hordes of Buckeyes can be found at many of the nation’s leading companies. More than 2,000 alumni work for JPMorgan Chase, and more than 500 work for Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. Of the grads who directly matriculate into graduate or professional school, many continue in one of OSU’s own programs.

Academic Highlights: The University of Delaware offers over 90 bachelor’s degree programs. Its student-to-faculty ratio is only 12:1, an excellent figure for a public institution. Blue Hens do find themselves in an occasional larger lecture hall as 18% of sections enroll 50+ students, but 60% of all courses enroll fewer than 30 students. Those who are ambitious and aggressive can unearth research opportunities at U of D; 700 students are actively involved in faculty-mentored research. The university has the oldest study abroad program in the nation. At over 100 years old, the program entices more than 30% of undergraduates to spend a semester in one of 40 foreign countries.

Professional Outcomes: 94% of Class of 2023 grads quickly found their next destination. 65% were employed, with 71% taking jobs at for-profit companies, 16% at nonprofits, 8% in K-12 education, and 5% with a government entity. The greatest number of newly minted alums were hired by JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, EY, ChristianaCare, and PwC. The median starting salary for this cohort was $62,520. 29% immediately pursued an advanced degree, with 68% entering master’s programs, 19% entering a professional program, and 6% beginning a PhD.

Academic Highlights: Purdue offers over 200 majors at ten discipline-specific colleges, and 37% of course sections have an enrollment of 19 or fewer. Undergraduates conduct more than 2,000 research projects per year; they can connect with professors during the academic year or apply to participate in a Summer Research Fellowship. Discipline-specific research programs, a research pitch competition, research conferences & symposiums, and publishing opportunities abound. 1,300 students per year elect to study abroad at one of 400 programs in 50 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Shortly after receiving their diplomas, 65% of 2023 grads headed to the world of employment while 25% headed to graduate/professional school. Companies employing the greatest number of recent alumni were Eli Lilly & Company, Amazon, Deloitte, JP Morgan Chase, PepsiCo, and Cummins, Inc. The average starting salary was $71k across all degree programs. The majority of alumni remain in Indiana with Illinois, California, Texas, New York, and Wisconsin rounding out the five next most common destinations.

Academic Highlights: 180+ undergraduate majors are offered across twelve colleges/schools. Twenty-six percent of sections contain 50 or more students compared to 29% of sections that contain fewer than 20. Still, there are opportunities for personal connections with professors as evidenced by the fact that 80% of graduates complete research during their four years at UW. The study abroad rate of participation has climbed steadily since the turn of the millennium; 3,000 students each year spend a semester in a foreign locale.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of graduation, 62% of Class of 2023 grads were employed and 24% were continuing their education. The most popular employers of the Class of 2023 included Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, Seattle Children’s, and Deloitte. Across all living alumni, 6,000+ work for Microsoft, and 4000+ work for each of Boeing and Amazon. Of those headed to graduate/professional school, most remain at UW itself. Large numbers of 2023 grads also headed to Columbia, UPenn, USC, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: Rutgers is divided into 19 schools and colleges, collectively offering 120+ undergraduate majors. Forty percent of class sections have an enrollment of nineteen or fewer students compared to only 19% of sections that contain more than 50 undergrads. The Aresty Research Center facilitates several programs that match 300+ undergraduates per year with faculty members conducting research in an area of interest. An annual Undergraduate Research Symposium—one of the largest in the country—has showcased thousands of student projects in its 20 years of existence.

Professional Outcomes: Upon graduation, 89% of Class of 2023 grads had secured a first job or were heading to an advanced degree program. 71% headed directly to the world of employment, where the companies hiring the largest number of grads included RWJBarnabas Health, Amazon, and Lockheed Martin. Investment banks like JP Morgan Chase employ hundreds of alumni, as do companies like Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and CVS Pharmacy. The median starting salary across all majors was $70,000.

Academic Highlights: Eight undergraduate colleges that offer 150+ distinct majors are housed within Virginia Tech. 34% of sections contain fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. Overall, 19% of recent graduates report participating in some type of undergraduate research experience, but landing such opportunities is much easier for members of the Honors College. Each year, more than 1,200 students avail themselves of the chance to study abroad in locations such as Switzerland, New Zealand, France, and Scotland.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 37% of the Class of 2023 were employed and 14% were in graduate school. Graduates work at major corporations including Deloitte, EY, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Kimley-Horn, Northrop Grumman, and Accenture. The median salary for 2023 graduates was $70,000. Among recent grads who decided to pursue an advanced degree, the greatest number stayed at VT, while others enrolled at Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University, George Washington University, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, and Johns Hopkins.

Academic Highlights: Penn State offers 275 majors and a number of top-ranked programs in a host of disciplines. Unlike some public research universities that can have student-to-faculty ratios greater than 20:1, PSU boasts a solid 15:1 ratio. That level of support allows 61% of classes to have an enrollment below thirty students.  Even at such a large institution, it is possible to get involved in undergraduate research. Eberly College of Science professors are running upwards of 3,000 research projects per year, and the school has a well-maintained and up-to-date database of undergraduate research positions. All told, 16% of graduates report having engaged in undergraduate research. 22% of a recent graduating class availed themselves of study abroad opportunities in one of 300+ programs in 50+ countries each year.

Professional Outcomes: By graduation, 79% of Nittany Lions have found their next employment or graduate school home. Over a hundred alumni work at Tesla; Deloitte, Amazon, Google, JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, and Accenture each employ over 500 alumni. Three-quarters of recent graduates employed full-time earned starting salaries of greater than $50k. Penn State graduates mostly settle in the Greater Philadelphia area, with New York City and the Washington DC-Baltimore area also proving popular with alumni.

Academic Highlights: There are 150 majors available across eight freshman-admitting undergraduate colleges. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio is deployed effectively so that 65% of sections enroll 29 or fewer students. No matter your field of study, you can utilize UM’s well-maintained database of upcoming faculty research projects as a way to connect directly with the professor of your choice; more than 2,000 undergraduates participate in a research or creative project every year. An outstanding 30% of UMTC students study abroad during their academic career with the most popular destinations being Spain, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Professional Outcomes: Over 1000 alumni work at Target, Medtronic, 3M, and U.S. Bank; Amazon, Google, Cargill, and Microsoft employ 500+ UMN graduates each. The average starting salary across all majors is approximately 60k and recent employers include Boeing, Honeywell, Northrop Grumman, Abbott, IBM, EcoLab, Boston Scientific, Wells Fargo, Google, Apple, and Microsoft and Epic. With 130 graduate programs, the University of Minnesota retains many of its graduates as they pursue their next degrees.

Academic Highlights: NC State offers more than 100 majors and 120 minors. Thanks to a reasonable 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you won’t exclusively have classes in enormous lecture halls. Rather, NC State offers its undergraduates a mix of experiences with 63% of sections enrolling 29 or fewer students and 18% enrolling 50 or more. The Office of Undergraduate Research works diligently to connect star students to faculty research projects, which leads to nearly 500 student presentations at the spring poster sessions alone. In 2024, 28 students received invitations to present at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

Professional Outcomes: Forty-four percent of students graduating in 2023 had already accepted full-time jobs before exiting; 30% were heading to graduate/professional school. Members of that class reported an average starting salary of $65,589 (with a slightly higher median). Including all graduating years, the companies employing the largest number of alumni are Cisco, SAS, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, IBM, Lenovo, Apple, Meta, and NVIDIA. Many recent grads also work for the university itself.

Academic Highlights: With sixteen schools and colleges and 140+ undergraduate degree programs, Texas A&M is a massive operation. Class sizes trend large, but 25% of courses enroll fewer than 20 students and personal connections with professors are entirely possible, particularly through the research-oriented LAUNCH program. A&M excels in facilitating study abroad experiences, sending over 5,600 students to 110+ countries in a typical year, the most of any public university in the United States.

Professional Outcomes: On graduation day, 79% of students had already received at least one job offer or were heading to graduate/professional school. Many Aggies go on to work at major oil, tech, and consulting firms; Amazon, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, Apple, Halliburton, and Google each employ more than 500 alumni. Starting salaries were strong—on average grads netted around $65k. The vast majority of graduates remain in Texas with Houston, Dallas, College Station, Austin, and San Antonio top in popularity.

Academic Highlights: Stony Brook offers 60+ majors and 80+ minors across three undergraduate colleges. A 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 8,300 graduate students isn’t exactly a recipe for small classes, but undergrads will find themselves in some first-name basis classes with 37% of all sections containing nineteen or fewer students. More than 2,000 students have the chance to engage in undergraduate research each year. The rate of study abroad participation is low, but exciting opportunities exist for those who choose to take advantage; the school features a winter program that whisks students to Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Professional Outcomes: After graduation, 61% of recent Stony Brook graduates are employed, and 34% have entered graduate/professional school. The organizations and companies employing the greatest number of Seawolves are Northwell Health, Google, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Meta, Morgan Stanley, Bloomberg, and Apple. Among those pursuing further education, common choices include Stony Brook itself, other SUNY or CUNY institutions, and NYC-based powerhouses like Columbia, Fordham, and NYU.

Academic Highlights: IU offers 200+ majors The university’s 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio is strong for a school of Indiana’s size, and it does make an effort to keep undergraduate classes on the small side. While there are a number of introductory courses that transpire in giant lecture halls, 35% of all sections contain no more than 19 students. Experiential learning opportunities are available to those who seize them; over one-quarter of arts and sciences students completed research with a faculty member. On the study abroad front, roughly the same percentage of A&S graduates spent a semester in a foreign country. In total, the school offers 380 programs in 70 countries and 20 languages.

Professional Outcomes: Class of 2023 grads reached their next employment or graduate school destination at a 92% rate within six months of receiving their degrees. The median starting salary for IU grads ranged between $54,000 and $60,000. Among the largest employers of Hoosier alumni are local pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, EY, Amazon, PwC, Salesforce, Deloitte, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, Accenture, and Google. Indianapolis, Chicago, Bloomington, and New York City are the locales where you can find the greatest concentration of Indiana graduates.

Academic Highlights: With the 9th highest four-year graduation rate among the nation’s traditional four-year institutions, TCNJ stands in esteemed company alongside schools like UVA, Michigan, and UNC-Chapel Hill. TCNJ sports a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of twenty-one; 41% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. While you won’t find many seminar-style courses with single-digit enrollments, there are plenty of ways to personally connect with faculty thanks to the school’s serious commitment to facilitating undergraduate research. In fact, the Council on Undergraduate Research awarded TCNJ its signature honor, the Campus-Wide Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishment.

Professional Outcomes: Checking in with TCNJ grads one year after receiving their degrees, 98% of recent grads had entered the working world or started an advanced degree. The list of companies employing significant numbers of recent alumni includes Johnson and Johnson, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Amazon,  Deloitte, Lockheed Martin, EY, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The most frequently attended graduate schools by recent grads included Rutgers, Columbia, and NYU.

Academic Highlights: Class sizes are mixed, and many sections are smaller than you would expect for such a large university where the student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1. Fourteen percent of classes have single-digit enrollments, and 57% contain fewer than 30 students; 17% of courses are larger, playing host to fifty or more undergraduates. More than half of Clemson students participate in some type of undergraduate research, a strong percentage given the size of the school. Each year over 1,400 students elect to study abroad in one of Clemson’s own programs or one offered by a third party.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 93% of 2023 grads had already entered the working world or were pursuing a graduate degree. The top employers of newly-minted diploma holders include Prisma Health, Boeing, Bank of America, and Epic Systems. Computing and Applied Sciences reported a median starting salary of $75,000. College of Business graduates enjoyed median earnings of $61,000. Of the 18% of recent graduates directly entering grad school, the largest number retained their Tiger stripes by continuing their studies at Clemson.

Academic Highlights: 74 undergraduate majors are available at UCSC. An identical percentage of classes contain 50+ students (27%) as under 20 students (27%). Fortunately, thanks in part to a relatively small number of graduate students (roughly 2,000), there are still opportunities to work side-by-side with faculty. In fact, a commendable 52% of undergraduates conduct some type of faculty-guided research during their four years at Santa Cruz, and the school has pledged to raise that number to 75%. Roughly 15% of students elect to study abroad, and the school encourages all students to take advantage of the well established UC programs situated all around the globe.

Professional Outcomes: Within three months of earning their degree, 28% of UCSC grads had found employment and 17% started graduate programs. Proximity to Silicon Valley helps open doors to companies like Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and Cisco, which all employ over 200 alumni. More than 100 alumni can also be found in the offices of NVIDIA, Salesforce, Adobe, and LinkedIn. Among graduates, the median salary for those in the first five years of their career was $75,600.

Academic Highlights: SUNY ESF offers an intensely focused environmental education through 27 undergraduate programs, all supported by an exceptional 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The crown jewel of ESF’s hands-on learning is its renowned Ranger School, where students immerse themselves in the college’s 2,800-acre Adirondack classroom, working alongside faculty on real forestry and conservation projects. This “living laboratory” approach extends across all programs, blending rigorous academics with unparalleled field experience that prepares students to tackle pressing environmental challenges.

Professional Outcomes: ESF’s career outcomes are as impressive as its natural surroundings—90% of the Class of 2023 secured positions in their field, with 86% working in roles directly related to their major. Graduates are in high demand at environmental leaders like the USDA Forest Service and the Wildlife Conservation Society, as well as cutting-edge firms like Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Constellation Energy. Those continuing their education ascend to top programs at Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, and Ohio State, though many choose to remain at ESF for advanced study—a testament to the college’s respected graduate offerings and lifelong learning community.

Academic Highlights: A freshman retention rate of 90% is excellent for a public university, and the strength of undergraduate teaching gets high marks. In part, this is made possible by a reasonable 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Each year, more than 2,800 undergrads work with professors on research, and some become coauthors of academic papers and/or find themselves presenting at academic conferences. The school also ranks in the top five among public institutions for the percent of students who elect to study abroad; a phenomenal 55% of undergrads elect to study away from Oxford.

Professional Outcomes: The overall success rate for the Class of 2023 was 99%, roughly the same as for the previous two cohorts. Fifty-five percent of recent Miami grads were employed and by mid-career, alumni enjoy a median salary of $132k. Staying in Ohio is a common postgraduate choice with 46% of grads doing so, but Chicago; New York City; Washington, DC; and Denver are also popular landing spots. The companies attracting the greatest number of RedHawk alumni are Procter & Gamble, EY, Fifth Third Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Deloitte, PNC, PwC, and Amazon.

Academic Highlights: Only 41% of course sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and 19% of courses contain fifty or more students. The Experiential Learning Network can help make a huge university feel a bit smaller by connecting students with faculty mentors for research endeavors; their newly launched Project Portal enables students to find and join projects while earning skill-based “digital badges.” For those interested in spending a semester at a foreign university, UB offers 700 study abroad programs across all seven continents (Antarctica, anyone?).

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 95% of Class of 2023 School of Management degree-holders had found employment or were enrolled in a graduate program. The median base salary for those who found jobs was $61,000 (business grads only). UB graduates are well-represented in the corporate offices of many top companies, with more than one hundred alumni currently employed at the likes of M&T Bank, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, Tesla, Goldman Sachs, and Salesforce.

Academic Highlights: UofSC is a massive enterprise, with 15 colleges/schools within the larger university. Even so, 70% of all sections contain 29 or fewer students  The South Carolina Honors College is extremely hard to get into and is one of the finest in the entire country. The Office of Undergraduate Research will help ambitious students locate a mentor professor in their discipline, pursue funding sources, and compete for school-based undergraduate research awards; roughly one-third of students work with a faculty member on research. Study abroad opportunities are also there for all who seek them; close to 2,000 students study abroad in 65+ countries each year.

Professional Outcomes: More than 1000 UofSC alumni work at Prisma Health; hundreds are employed at Wells Fargo, Amazon, and Microsoft. Within the School of Business, the average salary was $93k and recent employers include Wells Fargo, Bank of America, PwC, EY, and Deloitte. College of Arts and Sciences graduates secured employment at Greenville Health Systems, BlueCross BlueShield SC, the State of South Carolina, and Amazon, earning an average salary of $86,046.

Academic Highlights: Temple offers 160+ undergraduate programs. Forty-four percent of classes have an enrollment of 19 or fewer students, and 72% of courses contain no more than 29 undergraduates. Undergraduate research positions are available across all 12 undergraduate schools and colleges, including a seven-month-long funded research experience called the Diamond Research Scholars program. The school offers plenty of study abroad opportunities, including its own programs in Spain, Japan, and Italy. A touch over 10% of undergrads take a semester in a foreign country.

Professional Outcomes: Fifty-one percent of recent grads quickly secured employment and another 18% were enrolled in graduate school. Top employers included the School District of Philadelphia, Vanguard, SEI, Amazon, and Lockheed Martin. Hundreds of Owl alumni can be found at Merck, Comcast, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, and Bristol Myers Squibb. The highest percentage of grads reside in Philadelphia, with New York City and Washington, DC, next in popularity.

Academic Highlights: Truman State University offers students a robust liberal arts foundation with 50+ undergraduate majors and 71 minors, all supported by an excellent 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This personalized learning environment (featuring an average class size of 25) serves a diverse community representing 49 countries, creating dynamic classroom discussions with global perspectives. The university’s commitment to undergraduate-focused education ensures every student receives individual attention while developing critical thinking skills.

Professional Outcomes: Truman graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with 41% entering the workforce (including positions at Boeing, Oracle, and Wells Fargo) and 31% pursuing advanced degrees immediately after graduation. An impressive 82% of alumni report satisfaction with their Truman experience, with many building careers in Missouri’s key metro areas—particularly St. Louis and Kansas City. The university’s emphasis on lifelong learning is reflected in graduates’ median earnings of $56,000 after ten years, demonstrating the enduring value of Truman’s liberal arts education in today’s evolving job market.

Academic Highlights: UC Riverside offers 80+ majors across five colleges. Twenty-seven percent of sections enroll fewer than 20 undergrads compared to 34% that enroll 50 or more students. Faculty-mentored research opportunities are available for everyone, and the school has made expanding research participation to at least one-third of the undergraduate population an institutional goal. Students can pursue mentorships with professors through the uResearch Portal and present their work at the annual Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities Symposium.

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of graduation, 47% of 2022 grads (most recent data available) were employed, 18% were pursuing an advanced degree, and 33% were still seeking their next opportunity. Less than 20% of recent grads left the state, with most remaining in Southern California. The median starting salary was $52k. More than 100 alumni work for major corporations like Amazon, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Meta, and Deloitte. Graduates tend to remain in California, with most settling in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area.

Academic Highlights: This highly regarded state institution boasts over 400 areas of study—undergraduate, graduate, and professional—across 17 degree-granting colleges. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio rates in the average range for public universities of MSU’s size and scope. Class sizes are a genuine mix of small seminars and giant lecture halls. In one recent year, 55% percent of undergraduate course sections contain fewer than 30 students; just 23% enrolled more than 50. Undergraduate research opportunities do exist for those bold enough to pursue them; 36% of recent grads completed one such experience. Around 25% of undergrads study abroad at one of 260 programs located in 60+ countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within months of strutting across the graduation stage, 63% of Class of 2023 members had landed full-time employment, 25% were pursuing advanced degrees, and 4% were still looking for a job. The top employers of this group included big names like the State of Michigan, General Motors, the US Federal Government, Ford Motor Company, and PepsiCo. The median starting salary earned was $64,149. Among the grad schools favored by recent alumni are the University of Michigan, New York University, Columbia University, and Northwestern University.

Academic Highlights: A 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio is almost beyond comprehension for a public school. As a result, 94% of course sections enroll fewer than 29 students, and 72% of classes enroll fewer than 20. Undergrads can access research opportunities through multiple avenues that include St. Mary’s Projects (senior year projects that 60% of students complete) and St. Mary’s Undergraduate Research Fellowships (eight-week summer program that culminates with a symposium). In a typical year, one of the 25 study abroad programs is taken advantage of by almost half of the undergraduate population.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of earning their bachelor’s degrees, 96% of recent St. Mary’s grads have landed a job or started an advanced degree.  Top employers of Osprey alumni include JPMorgan Chase, the Centers for Disease Control, BNY Mellon, Booz Allen Hamilton, the Smithsonian, and the US Department of Defense. 28% of alumni begin work on their next degree within six months of graduation, earning acceptances from the likes of Harvard, Yale, Rice, Penn, and the University of Chicago.

Academic Highlights: 200+ undergraduate majors, minors, and certificate programs are available across eight colleges. The 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio is not suggestive of an intimate learning environment, yet the University of Iowa still manages to keep over half of its undergraduate sections at an enrollment of 19 or fewer students. Just 13% of sections enroll 50 or more undergrads. Increasing the number of undergraduate research opportunities available is part of the university’s strategic plan. At present, about one-third of UI undergrads conduct or assist research. In a given year, more than 1,000 University of Iowa students study abroad.

Professional Outcomes: 96% of recent grads found their first job or advanced degree program within six months of receiving their diploma. Companies that employ hundreds of alumni include John Deere, Collins Aerospace, Amazon, Deloitte, AbbVie, Microsoft, and Google. Five years after graduating, alumni report a salary increase of 55% and 95% are satisfied with their job. The median salary for recent grads was $50,000. 21% went directly into graduate school; 75% remained at the University of Iowa.

Academic Highlights: The University of New Hampshire provides students with exceptional academic breadth through 200+ degree programs across 11 schools and colleges, all supported by an excellent 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. UNH maintains a strong commitment to engaged learning, with 84% of classes enrolling fewer than 50 students and unique opportunities like the Shoals Marine Laboratory’s SURG program for undergraduate research. As a top-20% research university nationally, UNH backs its academic programs with 50+ research centers and global perspectives through 250+ study abroad options, serving a diverse community from all 50 states and 43 countries.

Professional Outcomes: UNH’s Class of 2023 achieved outstanding results, with 94% securing positive outcomes—73% employed at leading organizations like Fidelity Investments, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Liberty Mutual, earning strong median starting salaries of $57,000. An impressive 87% of working graduates apply their majors directly in their careers, while 21% continue their education, predominantly at UNH’s own highly regarded graduate programs. These outcomes demonstrate UNH’s powerful combination of academic rigor, hands-on research, and professional preparation that serves both New England’s workforce needs and national employers.

Academic Highlights: Classes are rarely small as Mines possesses a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1. The average class has 34 students, and only 18% of sections have an enrollment under twenty. Yet, that does not translate into a lack of hands-on opportunities. All Mines students must take a two-semester sequence of courses called EPICS (Engineering Practices Introductory Course Sequence) in which they tackle an open-ended design problem as part of a small team. Freshmen also take Cornerstone Design, in which teams of students must solve real-world design problems. In a given year, roughly 125 students are awarded Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowships and work as research assistants on faculty-led projects.

Professional Outcomes: Recent grads landed industry jobs or full-time graduate school positions at a clip of 94%. Companies employing massive numbers of Mines’ grads include Lockheed Martin, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance, Chevron, and Xcel Energy. Those finding employment enjoyed an average starting salary of $76,400. While alums pursuing further education were accepted into Stanford, Columbia, and Northwestern, 56% of grad students chose to continue their studies at Mines.

Academic Highlights: The University of Vermont offers nearly 100 undergraduate majors and 90 advanced degree programs, ensuring students can pursue virtually any academic interest. With 37% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students and 63% under 30, UVM prioritizes an intimate learning environment—only 18% of courses take place in large lecture halls. Hands-on learning is a hallmark: 40% of undergraduates participate in faculty-mentored research, many presenting at the annual Student Research Conference. Global engagement is equally robust, with hundreds of students studying abroad through UVM’s direct partnerships with 20 international institutions.

Professional Outcomes: UVM graduates thrive post-commencement, with 93% achieving career or graduate school success within six months. Nearly half enter the workforce immediately, earning an average starting salary of $54,892, and securing roles at top employers like UVM Medical Center, Beth Israel Deaconess, and the State of Vermont. Meanwhile, 23% continue their education, enrolling at prestigious institutions such as Boston University, NYU, and Northeastern, or furthering their studies at UVM itself.

Academic Highlights: All undergraduates must complete Auburn’s core curriculum, the purpose of which is to “foster the knowledge, skills, and perspectives that are the hallmarks of an Auburn graduate.” This extensive undertaking includes English composition, humanities (including mandatory literature and fine arts), science (including lab), mathematics, and social sciences. Motivated students take advantage of the Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program. About 20% of Auburn students study abroad, and over 130 programs are offered on every continent

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 58% of the Class of 2023 were employed full-time and 22% had entered graduate programs. 57% were pursuing master’s degrees, 28% professional degrees, and 5% doctorates. In 2023, the average starting salary was $59,216. Alumni pursuing further education can be found at institutions such as Samford University, Belmont University, and the University of Georgia.

Academic Highlights: JMU offers 75+ undergraduate degrees to a very happy student population; surveyed undergrads report a stunning 96% satisfaction rate. A 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio does not fully capture how generally modest class sizes tend to be at the university. Thirty-six percent of sections enroll fewer than 19 students and the average class size is 25 students. JMU has also been a leader in study abroad participation, with some of the highest numbers of participants of any college in the country. In fact, it presently ranks first among all master’s-granting institutions with almost 1,500 participants annually.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 75% of 2023 grads had obtained full-time employment, 21% were continuing their education, and 4% were still figuring out their next step. KPMG and Deloitte each hired at least 17 JMU grads. Dukes found employment at 1,481 organizations around the world and the average starting salary was $59,686. Among the almost one-quarter of recent grads who matriculated directly into a graduate school program, the most popular location was JMU itself.

Academic Highlights: The University of South Florida stands as an academic powerhouse with 240+ undergraduate programs spanning 14 colleges, offering unparalleled breadth from baccalaureate to doctoral levels. While the university maintains a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio overall, it delivers surprising intimacy—45% of course sections enroll fewer than 20 students. High-achieving students gain access to the transformative Judy Genshaft Honors College, where exclusive small seminars and specialized campus experiences create an elite liberal arts environment within this major research university.

Professional Outcomes: USF serves as the talent engine for Florida’s booming economy, with graduates snapped up by premier employers including Moffitt Cancer Center, Raymond James, and tech giants like Microsoft and Google. The university’s strong regional roots show in outcomes—many alumni choose to build careers in Greater Tampa Bay, fueling local innovation while enjoying strong financial returns (median earnings of $64,200 in early career, rising to $113,700 at mid-career).

Academic Highlights: NJIT offers students 51 undergraduate majors with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning, supported by a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and optimally sized classes—68% with fewer than 30 students and only 3% exceeding 50. The university’s research ecosystem is exceptionally robust, featuring 140+ specialized institutes, centers, and labs where undergraduates can engage in meaningful projects. Through initiatives like the Student Seed Program, students receive up to $500 for preliminary research and can secure additional funding up to $3,000 to advance their work. NJIT’s faculty are leaders in their fields, with 99% holding terminal degrees, ensuring cutting-edge mentorship.

Professional Outcomes: NJIT graduates achieve outstanding career outcomes, with 85% employed within six months of graduation and another 10% pursuing advanced degrees at elite institutions like MIT, Columbia, and Yale School of Medicine. The university’s strong industry connections place alumni at top employers such as Lockheed Martin, Johnson & Johnson, and Amazon, with graduates commanding an impressive average starting salary of $76,249. These results underscore NJIT’s success in preparing students for high-impact careers in fields where its rigorous, research-driven education delivers exceptional value.

Academic Highlights: The University of Kansas offers students exceptional academic breadth with 190+ undergraduate majors across 14 schools, combining large, research university resources with surprising accessibility. KU’s 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a learning environment where 41% of classes maintain fewer than 20 students, far outpacing the 16% that exceed 50. Undergraduate research thrives through the Center for Undergraduate Research, while global engagement shines with students participating in 165+ study abroad programs across 70 countries.

Professional Outcomes: KU graduates achieve strong career momentum, with 54% employed full-time and 33% pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation. The university serves as both Kansas’s premier educator and top employer, with many graduates contributing to KU Medical Center, Hallmark Cards, and other regional leaders, earning an average salary of $60,000. While hundreds build careers in the Lawrence/Kansas City area, alumni networks flourish in major hubs like Chicago, Denver, and Dallas, demonstrating KU’s dual impact as both a state anchor and national talent source.

Academic Highlights: The University of Tennessee offers an expansive academic experience with 360+ undergraduate programs across 14 colleges and schools, supported by 1,900+ faculty members. While the university’s scale is impressive, its class sizes remain manageable—62% of courses enroll fewer than 30 students, including 28% with under 19 students, all supported by an 18:1 student-faculty ratio. Research opportunities abound through the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships, while global engagement is strengthened by 500+ study abroad programs. UT’s academic excellence is further demonstrated by its consistent recognition as a top producer of Fulbright scholars.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 91% of Vols alumni achieve career success—61% entering employment and 30% continuing to graduate studies. Leading employers include UT Medical Center, Axle Logistics, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with graduates earning a strong median starting salary of $62,000. Those pursuing advanced degrees predominantly stay within Tennessee’s strong academic network, favoring institutions like UT’s own campuses, Lincoln Memorial University, and Belmont University.

Academic Highlights: SUNY Geneseo stands among America’s premier public liberal arts colleges, offering 61 undergraduate programs and 67 minors within a rigorous environment. The college maintains an ideal 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 54% of classes fostering dynamic mid-sized discussions (20-49 students). This academically vibrant community brings together students from 20 states and 19 countries, while global perspectives are enriched through study abroad programs spanning 18 nations.

Professional Outcomes: Geneseo’s Class of 2023 achieved impressive results, with 80% securing positive outcomes within six months at an average salary of $54,500. Alumni demonstrate remarkable loyalty to New York (97% remain in-state), contributing to leading employers including Wegmans, M&T Bank, and Disney. The college’s academic excellence shines through strong career alignment—87% of graduates work in fields related to their majors, validating Geneseo’s powerful blend of liberal arts depth and career preparation.

Academic Highlights: Over 300 degree programs are offered at UO. The student-to-faculty ratio is 19:1, which leads to a mix of class sizes. The median class size is 20 students. 28% of a recent graduating class engaged in research, and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program excels at connecting students to mentor professors on campus as well as external research opportunities. Over 500 students present at the annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ducks study abroad in 60 countries, and roughly one-fifth of students do so at some point during their undergraduate years.

Professional Outcomes: Members of the Class of 2023 already had their next destination lined up at graduation with 85% already employed or entering graduate school. Nike, KPMG, Deloitte, Amazon, and Thermo Fisher Scientific employed recent grads. Hundreds of others occupy offices at Intel, Microsoft, Google, Apple, Adidas, and Salesforce. Of the 19% that pursued further education, 93% of the Class of 2023 remained at the University of Oregon.

Academic Highlights: Across all divisions, there are 60+ majors and 80+ minors offered. The majority of courses–71%–fall between twenty and forty students. Cal Poly’s student-to-faculty ratio is a high 18:1, but such is the cost of an uber-affordable STEM degree from an excellent institution. One-quarter of students take advantage of the school’s robust study abroad program that offers learning opportunities in over seventy-five countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within nine months of graduating, 89% of graduates are “positively engaged” in their next life activity. Top employers of Cal Poly grads include many of the country’s top firms, such as SpaceX, Deloitte, PwC, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, EY, and Apple. Overall, grads enjoy a terrific median starting salary of $78,000. Of the 10% of alumni who directly enter graduate school, the most commonly attended schools are all in California.

Academic Highlights: As a premier public research institution, Rutgers University-Newark combines academic rigor with an exceptionally diverse learning community. The university offers more than 40 undergraduate majors supported by a favorable 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 68% of classes maintaining an optimal size of 10-39 students. With 46 dedicated research centers and institutes, undergraduates enjoy exceptional opportunities to engage in meaningful scholarship alongside faculty mentors.

Professional Outcomes: Rutgers-Newark graduates launch careers with leading employers, including Hackensack Meridian Health, Prudential Financial, Merck, and Bristol Myers Squibb, as well as the university itself. Alumni predominantly establish themselves in the greater New York City metropolitan region, with a significant professional presence in Newark, contributing to the economic and civic vitality of the area.

Academic Highlights: As New Jersey’s premier public liberal arts institution, Ramapo College delivers an exceptional student-centered education through 40+ programs across five schools. The college’s commitment to personalized learning shines through its 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 21, fostering close faculty mentorship. Ramapo enhances traditional academics with its signature hands-on approach, offering students over 500 internship opportunities and comprehensive career preparation through its Pathways Program, blending classroom theory with real-world professional experience.

Professional Outcomes: Ramapo graduates achieve an impressive career launch, with 87% employed or in graduate school within one year. Alumni secure positions at major corporations, including JP Morgan Chase, Deloitte, and NBC Universal, earning a strong median salary of $54,540. While 70% enter the workforce immediately, 16% continue their education at top institutions like Rutgers and Villanova. Most build their careers in the dynamic New York City metropolitan area, with others contributing to New Jersey’s professional sectors, demonstrating how Ramapo’s combination of liberal arts foundations and career-focused preparation creates graduates who thrive in competitive markets.

Academic Highlights: UM-Morris delivers an exceptional public liberal arts education defined by its intimate learning environment. With an outstanding 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio and remarkably small classes (82% under 20 students), students pursue 32 majors and 35 minors while receiving unparalleled faculty attention. The university emphasizes hands-on learning through undergraduate research, showcased at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, and global study opportunities spanning 80 countries, creating well-rounded scholars prepared for diverse careers.

Professional Outcomes: Graduates achieve a 95% success rate, with most securing employment or entering graduate programs within one year. Alumni excel with top employers including Mayo Clinic, Medtronic, Target, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo, as well as throughout the University of Minnesota system. While many build careers in the thriving Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area, UM-Morris’s rigorous liberal arts foundation prepares graduates to succeed in professional and academic environments nationwide.

Academic Highlights: UArizona undergrads can choose from over 150 majors. A 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to a mix of smaller and larger course sections with 32% of classes having an enrollment of under 20 and 16% possessing 50 or more students. Through the Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Collaborative, students can access dozens of research-related resources and opportunities. Over ninety opportunities to study abroad during the year or in the summer are available, including 14 Arizona Abroad program at locations as varied as Madrid, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

Professional Outcomes: In recent years, some of the top employers hiring Arizona grads have been Raytheon, Banner Health, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, and ADP. An astonishing 92% of employers rate Wildcats as coming to their first job with the skills needed to succeed; One in three students stay in Tuscon post-graduation, with Phoenix and Los Angeles also proving popular with Wildcat alumni.

Academic Highlights: Rutgers University-Camden provides a distinctive blend of personalized education and research excellence, offering 38 undergraduate majors across four schools with an intimate 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 24. As home to New Jersey’s most extensive research laboratory network, Rutgers-Camden engages 100+ undergraduates in meaningful research annually. The university enhances its curriculum with innovative global learning options, including 15-20 faculty-led Learning Abroad courses each year alongside traditional study abroad programs, creating accessible international experiences for all students.

Professional Outcomes: Rutgers-Camden graduates achieve exceptional outcomes, with 95% employed or in graduate school within six months, earning an impressive average salary of $66,471. Alumni secure positions at elite employers like Apple, Lockheed Martin, and KPMG, while 23% continue their education at top institutions, including Johns Hopkins and Villanova. Most build their careers in the thriving Greater Philadelphia region or throughout New Jersey, demonstrating how Rutgers-Camden’s combination of research opportunities, global perspectives, and personalized attention creates graduates who excel in competitive professional markets.

Academic Highlights: Mizzou offers students one of the most comprehensive public university experiences with 97 undergraduate majors and 300+ total degree programs across 10 schools and colleges. The university combines large-research-university resources with surprising intimacy—43% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students (12% with single-digit sections)—supported by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Early research thrives through initiatives like the Summer Research Exposure Program for underclassmen, while global perspectives expand via study abroad programs in 50+ countries. This dynamic learning environment serves a diverse community representing all 50 states and 100+ countries.

Professional Outcomes: Mizzou graduates achieve strong career momentum, with 64% employed and 19% pursuing advanced degrees within six months of graduation. The university serves as Missouri’s leading educator and employer, with alumni contributing significantly to University of Missouri Health Care (the state’s largest hospital system), Columbia Public Schools, and global enterprises like Boeing and PwC. Most graduates continuing their education choose Mizzou’s own highly-ranked graduate programs or other Missouri institutions, demonstrating the university’s dual role as both the state’s premier talent pipeline and a springboard to national career opportunities.

Academic Highlights: Alabama manages to keep classes on the smaller side, with 48% enrolling under 20 students and 64% enrolling under 30. Each year, more UA students choose to pursue research opportunities; participation in the annual Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity conference has increased by over 30% since 2022. Historically, only a small percentage of undergrads study abroad—about 5% each year—but hundreds of options are available, and the university directly partners with nearly 30 programs in 13 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduating, 92% of alumni have already achieved a positive result; 58% go into the working world and one-third enter graduate/professional school. Top employers include Amazon, AT&T, Capital One, Dell Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. The average salary for a Class of 2023 grad was $61,738. For grad school, the highest number of students stay at Alabama while many others enroll at Vanderbilt, LSU, and the University of Mississippi.

Academic Highlights: Forty percent of classes actually have fewer than 20 students, while 19% of courses enroll 50 or more students. Opportunities to connect with faculty for research opportunities span all majors and fields of study. The school also offers the Discovery Learning Apprenticeship Program, which enables engineering students to conduct paid faculty-mentored research. Over 2,200 students per year participate in the credit- bearing Education Abroad program that offers hundreds of destinations within 60 countries around the world.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of leaving CU Boulder, 83% of recent grads were working or in graduate school. 47% of graduates earned between $50k and $75k, with the greatest number working at Lockheed Martin, Charles Schwab, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, and RS&H. More than 100 alumni can also be found at Google, Amazon, Apple, Oracle, and Microsoft. 25% of new grads immediately jumped into an advanced degree program, and 93% were accepted into their first-choice school.

Academic Highlights: All students must complete a minimum of twenty-nine credits in General Studies courses.  They must also meet requirements in three “awareness areas”: Cultural Diversity in the United States, Global Awareness, and Historical Awareness. There are plenty of opportunities for experiential learning as close to half of undergrads engage in research, land an internship, or have a practicum experience as part of their academic program.

Professional Outcomes: A healthy 89% percent of ASU graduates looking for work are employed within six months of earning their degrees. The median salary for an ASU grad is roughly $55,000. Among the school’s top fifty employers are Starbucks, the U.S. Air Force, Amazon, and the Intel Corporation. Most graduates settle in the Greater Phoenix area, with Tempe, Phoenix, and Los Angeles rounding out the list of the top three cities where recent alumni can be found.

Academic Highlights: The University of Rhode Island attracts students from 47 states and 68 countries with its 100+ majors and minors and a favorable 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. More than one-third (37%) of undergraduate classes maintain an intimate learning environment with 19 or fewer students. URI strongly emphasizes hands-on learning through its Office of Undergraduate Research and Innovation, which provides competitive grants ($1,000-$4,000) for student-led research, creative, and artistic projects across all disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: URI graduates quickly launch successful careers, with 67% entering the workforce and 15% continuing to graduate school immediately after commencement. Alumni frequently join prominent organizations like Lifespan, Fidelity Investments, and General Dynamics, while healthcare graduates often find positions at Yale New Haven Health and Massachusetts General Hospital. For those pursuing advanced degrees, 39% remain at URI, with others attending well-regarded institutions such as Boston University, Northeastern University, and Johnson & Wales University.

Academic Highlights:
The University of Mississippi offers more than 190 undergraduate programs across 12 colleges and schools, providing students with a wide range of academic paths. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, students benefit from personalized attention and support. The university also houses the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which helps students transform ideas into real-world ventures through mentorship, funding, and experiential learning. Global learning is a significant part of the academic experience, with access to 1,136 study abroad programs in 80 countries.

Professional Outcomes:
Within six months of graduation, 81% of University of Mississippi graduates are employed, enrolled in graduate school, or both, with 45% employed and 37% pursuing further education. More than half of graduates choose to remain in Mississippi. The median salary for recent graduates is $48,000. Top employers hiring Ole Miss alumni include DeSoto County Public Schools, South Panola School District, Amazon Web Services, FedEx, and Baptist Memorial Hospital. Among those pursuing advanced degrees, most continue their studies at the University of Mississippi.

Academic Highlights: SUNY New Paltz offers students expansive academic opportunities with 100+ undergraduate degrees across six specialized schools. A 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports a learning environment where 79% of classes maintain fewer than 30 students, fostering meaningful engagement and mentorship. Global perspectives are cultivated through study abroad programs spanning six continents, preparing graduates to thrive in an interconnected world.

Professional Outcomes: SUNY New Paltz’s graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with 57% employed and 26% enrolled in graduate programs within six months of graduation. Alumni are building successful careers with leading employers, including the NYC Department of Education, IBM, Northwell Health, and JPMorgan Chase, with most contributing to the vibrant New York metropolitan area. These professional achievements, combined with median earnings of $58,000 after ten years, demonstrate the enduring value of the university’s career-focused education and global perspective.

Academic Highlights: UMass Lowell offers students an expansive academic experience with 120+ undergraduate majors across five colleges, serving a diverse community representing all 50 states and 118 countries. The university maintains an ideal balance of resources and personal attention through its 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with 46% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students. Global perspectives flourish through 300+ study abroad programs, preparing graduates to thrive in an interconnected world.

Professional Outcomes: UMass Lowell delivers exceptional career preparation, guaranteeing every undergraduate at least one paid career-connected experience. Graduates build successful careers with industry leaders, including Raytheon, Pfizer, and Microsoft, while many contribute to the university itself as faculty and staff. Most alumni establish roots in the Greater Boston area, with median earnings of $65,000 after ten years, demonstrating the strong return on investment of a UMass Lowell education in New England’s innovation economy.

Academic Highlights: SUNY Purchase delivers a distinctive public liberal arts education, offering 48 majors and 38 minors within an intentionally intimate learning environment. True to its liberal arts mission, 72% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students, supported by an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average class size of 18. While 81% of students hail from New York, the campus community represents 41 states and 35 countries, creating dynamic exchanges between local perspectives and global viewpoints.

Professional Outcomes: Purchase graduates thrive in diverse fields, with 90% achieving success through employment (87%) or graduate study (12%). The college’s emphasis on experiential learning proves transformative, with 92% of students completing hands-on opportunities, preparing them for impactful careers. Alumni contribute significantly to the New York economy with organizations like the NYC Department of Education, while others excel at global innovators like Apple and Amazon. Many build rewarding independent practices, demonstrating the versatility of a Purchase education in today’s evolving professional landscape.

Academic Highlights: Undergrads pursue one of 94 bachelor’s programs offered through the 11 (of 16) colleges that grant undergraduate degrees. While 19% of classes at UIC do, indeed, enroll more than 50 students, two-thirds enroll fewer than 29. Ten percent of courses are taught by teaching assistants, but 90% of full-time faculty here have a PhD. Opportunities to engage in undergraduate research will not be handed to you, as at some liberal arts colleges, but the Undergraduate Research Experience, a university-wide program, does connect motivated students with 400+ faculty researchers in dozens of departments. Those interested in studying abroad have access to 175+ programs in 48 countries.

Professional Outcomes: The Class of 2023 had a 98% success rate six months after graduation, with 20% enrolling directly in graduate school. By volume, the largest employer of UIC grads is Chicago Public Schools. More than 100 alumni can also be found employed by Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Google, Discover, Apple, and McDonald’s. The average salary for a 2023 grad was a solid $69k. Over 90% of recent grads began their careers within the state of Illinois; locations in California, Wisconsin, and Texas were next on the list.

Academic Highlights: With a 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio and more part-time than full-time faculty, one-on-one bonding time with your professors is at a premium. Single-digit classes are a rarity, and only 29% of courses have 19 or fewer enrolled students. All students at Baruch have to complete a 45-credit sequence of required courses, but there is some choice within the broad boxes that need to be checked.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 81% of the Class of 2023 were already employed. The average salary for Arts & Sciences grads was $61,163 while Zicklin School of Business grads earned $73,566. The top employers of 2023 grads were JP Morgan (32), PwC (31), KPMG (26), Citi (19), and Bank of America (19).  28% of recent graduates chose to pursue further education.

Academic Highlights: Florida International University provides students with comprehensive academic opportunities through 116 undergraduate programs across 11 colleges and schools. While maintaining an accessible 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio, FIU ensures personalized learning experiences with 34% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students. The university’s robust research ecosystem, featuring 40+ specialized centers and institutes, offers undergraduates exceptional opportunities for hands-on discovery and innovation.

Professional Outcomes: FIU graduates form the backbone of South Florida’s professional workforce, with strong representation at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Baptist Health, and Miami-Dade County government. Alumni also excel at global corporations like Microsoft and Royal Caribbean Group, while maintaining deep roots in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale region. With median earnings of $60,000 after ten years, FIU demonstrates its powerful role in developing talent for Florida’s growing economy and beyond.

Academic Highlights: With more than 100 majors available across six undergraduate colleges, Iowa State has no shortage of academic pathways to explore. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, yet courses are a mix of large and small. 31% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students and 23% enroll more than 50. Iowa State University offers extensive undergraduate research opportunities across all disciplines, coordinated by the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression. For example, students can participate in programs such as the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions for juniors and seniors to engage in faculty-mentored research projects.

Professional Outcomes: Ninety-four percent of the Class of 2023 enjoyed positive career outcomes, with 79% employed and 15% continuing their education. Popular employers include John Deere, Principal Financial Group, Amazon, Collins Aerospace, Corteva Agriscience, Bayer, Cargill, and Microsoft. Most remain in Iowa after graduation but many also move to Minnesota, Chicago, California, or Texas. The average starting salary for the most recent engineering cohort was $77,260.

Academic Highlights: Students can select from 150+ bachelor’s degrees at App State. A reasonable 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to 39% of all course sections having fewer than 20 students and just 8% enrolling 50 or more. Students can engage in faculty-mentored projects through programs like the Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA), which provides paid positions to support faculty research. Additionally, students are encouraged to present their work at events such as the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors.

Professional Outcomes: Within one year of graduating, 86% of those surveyed have arrived at their next destination. Alumni go on to work in large numbers for Wells Fargo, Lowe’s, Bank of America, Atrium Health, Novant Health, and Duke Energy Corporation. For the 28% of grads pursuing further education, alumni enrolled in programs at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and East Carolina University.

Academic Highlights: The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offers students a dynamic academic experience with 90+ undergraduate programs across five colleges, blending rigorous coursework with hands-on learning. With an average class size of 27 and 38% of courses enrolling fewer than 20 students, UNCW fosters close faculty mentorship while emphasizing real-world application through internships, research, study abroad, and community projects. Undergraduate research opportunities span all disciplines, allowing students to engage in meaningful scholarship.

Professional Outcomes: UNCW graduates thrive in North Carolina’s key industries, with 200+ alumni contributing to major employers like PPD, Novant Health, and nCino. Most build careers in the Greater Wilmington region, while others strengthen professional networks in the Research Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) and Charlotte metro areas. These outcomes reflect UNCW’s success in preparing graduates for high-demand fields through its coastal location, partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, and focus on applied skills.

Academic Highlights: As Alabama’s largest research institution and home to a renowned academic medical center, UAB offers students unparalleled opportunities through 180+ degree programs. The university combines the resources of a major research powerhouse with an accessible learning environment, featuring an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio and optimally sized classes (50% under 20 students, only 13% over 50). This balance allows undergraduates to engage in meaningful research and hands-on learning while benefiting from personalized attention.

Professional Outcomes: UAB graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with 58% entering the workforce at an average starting salary of $50,558, and 44% gaining valuable experience through internships. Alumni launch careers with leading employers, including Children’s of Alabama, Regions Bank, Huntsville Hospital, and Southern Company, while many continue their education at top institutions like UAB itself, Samford University, and Auburn. The university’s dual emphasis on academic rigor and practical experience prepares graduates for success across multiple sectors.

Academic Highlights: There are 152 degree plans across seven schools at UT Dallas which sports a 27:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Classes are on the large side – 29% of course sections contain 50 or more students. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) and the Short-Term Working Group (SWG) provide hands-on research experiences and professional development. Students can also explore available research positions through the university’s Undergraduate Research Portal.

Professional Outcomes: The most commonly entered industries are internet/software, healthcare, accounting, IT, and higher education. Recent employers include Accenture, Amazon, American Airlines, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, and Raytheon Technologies. Graduates early in their career earn a median salary of $74,400, with median income increasing to $120,700 mid-career. Most Comets remain in Texas after graduation, settling in Dallas, Richardson, and Plano.

Academic Highlights: The University of Arkansas offers students a comprehensive academic experience with 101 undergraduate majors spanning 10 colleges and schools. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, the university maintains a balanced learning environment where 41% of classes have 20 or fewer students while 18% accommodate more than 50. The campus attracts a diverse student body representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. Undergraduate research is strongly emphasized, including competitive opportunities like National Science Foundation-funded Summer Research Internships that allow students to engage in meaningful scholarly work.

Program Outcomes: Graduates enjoy strong post-graduation outcomes, with the Class of 2024 achieving a 92% success rate. Seventy percent of recent alumni enter the workforce, while twenty-one percent pursue advanced degrees at institutions including the University of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and Southern Methodist University. Leading employers of graduates include the University of Arkansas system, Walmart, Tyson Foods, JB Hunt Transport, and Washington Regional Medical Center. Most alumni establish careers in Arkansas and Texas, particularly in the Fayetteville and Dallas-Fort Worth metro areas, with median early-career earnings of $58,191.

Academic Highlights: The College of Charleston offers students expansive academic opportunities with 67 majors, 81 minors, and 3 certificates across nine distinct schools. While maintaining an accessible 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the college ensures personalized attention with 36% of classes enrolling fewer than 20 students. This vibrant academic community brings together students from all 50 states and 72 countries. The annual College of Charleston Expo serves as the culminating showcase for undergraduate research across disciplines, highlighting the institution’s commitment to scholarly inquiry.

Professional Outcomes: College of Charleston graduates achieve strong career outcomes, with 78% employed and 18% enrolled in graduate programs within six months of graduation. Alumni frequently join leading employers, including the Medical University of South Carolina, Blackbaud, Wells Fargo, and Google, with most building their careers in the Charleston area. These professional achievements, combined with median earnings of $56,000 after ten years, demonstrate the lasting value of the college’s blend of liberal arts foundation and career preparation in a historic, economically vibrant city.

Academic Highlights: The University of Kentucky stands as one of only eight U.S. universities to combine a full spectrum of liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural, and medical programs on a single contiguous campus. With 200+ academic programs across 16 colleges and schools, UK offers unparalleled academic breadth while maintaining an accessible 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Students benefit from personalized attention in 38% of classes that enroll fewer than 20 students, alongside opportunities at 70+ research centers that drive innovation across disciplines.

Professional Outcomes: UK’s Class of 2023 achieved strong career outcomes, with 46% entering the workforce at leading employers like UK Healthcare, Fidelity Investments, and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, earning median salaries of $55,890. Another 35% pursued advanced degrees, predominantly within Kentucky’s academic network, choosing UK, University of Louisville, and Northern Kentucky University, demonstrating the university’s dual role as both the state’s premier educator and its most significant talent pipeline for professional and graduate education.

Academic Highlights: With a very high 29:1 student-to-faculty ratio, classes at UCF are fairly large as 23% contain 50 or more students. There are 100+ undergraduate majors at this institution. Those interested in research can kickstart such relationships through the Office of Undergraduate Research’s one-credit Introduction to Research & Creative Scholarship Opportunities. Ultimately, 26% of all undergraduates engage in research during their time at the university. For those set on an international experience, 71 exchange programs are available in 28 countries.

Professional Outcomes: Popular industries for UCF grads include operations, business, education, healthcare, and engineering. Over 1000 alumni work at Lockheed Martin, AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Universal Orlando, and The Walt Disney Company. The median salary for grads across all majors early in their careers is $63,700. Florida is the most popular destination of choice followed by California, Georgia, New York, and Texas.

Academic Highlights: Mason aims to make every one of its graduates an “engaged citizen and well-rounded scholar who is prepared to act.” Toward that goal, it requires a journey through the “Mason Core,” a forty-three-credit collection of foundation, exploration, and integration requirements. Thirty-two percent of sections enroll nineteen or fewer students, 14% have fifty or more students, and the remaining sections lie in between. More intimate educational experiences can be sought in the form of undergraduate research, which roughly half of all students ultimately engage in some form. There are plenty of summer research opportunities, but you can also take courses designated as Discovery of Scholarship, Scholarly Inquiry, or Research & Scholarship Intensive that offer built-in supervised research.

Professional Outcomes: Six months after receiving their degrees, 87% of the class of 2023 had accepted a job offer or started work in a graduate program. GMU grads flow into major consulting firms like Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Accenture, as well as Capital One, Goldman Sachs, General Dynamics, IBM, and Microsoft. Mason graduates earn a median salary of $74,000, with 83% of grads employed in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC.

Academic Highlights: Thanks to the almost exclusive emphasis on undergraduate instruction as well as those favorable numbers, 95% of courses enroll 29 or fewer students. The average class size is just 15 students. One area where this college flat-out excels is in connecting students to hands-on undergraduate research opportunities; a stunning 65% of students complete original research in their field of study. The majority of students do not study abroad during their four years, but 20% do take a semester in an international location.

Professional Outcomes: Asheville rates well when it comes to generating a high degree of social mobility. Employers snagging the greatest number of Bulldog alumni include Mission Health, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and a number of local school districts. UNC Asheville alumni stay in the Greater Asheville area after graduation, with the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area and the Charlotte metro area also proving popular.

Academic Highlights: Louisiana State University provides one of the nation’s most comprehensive academic catalogs with 330 fields of study spanning virtually every discipline. While maintaining an accessible 20:1 student-to-faculty ratio, LSU delivers surprisingly personalized attention—43% of classes enroll 19 or fewer students. The university excels in early research engagement through programs like LSU Freshman Explorers, where first-year students receive paid research training and faculty mentorship. Global learning thrives with 110+ study abroad locations, ensuring students can complement their Baton Rouge education with international perspectives.

Professional Outcomes: Tigers roar into successful careers, with 60% of graduates entering the workforce at top employers like Chevron, Deloitte, and Ochsner Health, while 19% pursue advanced degrees. Alumni command strong average starting salaries of $69,446—particularly impressive for the Gulf South region. While many continue their education within the LSU system, others ascend to prestigious programs at Tulane, Loyola New Orleans, and the University of Houston, demonstrating the portability of an LSU degree across competitive professional and academic markets.

Academic Highlights: There are more than 100 majors at the University of Nebraska and students enjoy a mix of smaller classes (47% have fewer than 20 students) and larger ones (20% have more than 50). The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers robust undergraduate research opportunities across all majors through programs like UCARE, which funds student-led projects under faculty mentorship, and FYRE, designed to introduce first-year students to research

Professional Outcomes: Businesses employing more than 100 graduates each include Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit, Fiserv, Union Pacific Railroad, Olsson, and Hudl. Median pay for graduates early in their career is $64,900 and most Cornhuskers remain in Nebraska post-graduation, settling in Lincoln and Omaha.

Academic Highlights: Michigan Tech stands as the Great Lakes State’s premier STEM institution, offering 120 degree programs and 86 minors across cutting-edge technological fields. With an excellent 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, nearly half (46%) of all classes maintain an intimate sub-20 student enrollment, ensuring meaningful faculty interaction. The university’s research enterprise spans 15 specialized centers tackling critical challenges across 13 focus areas, while global opportunities abound—including the transformative Semester at Sea program that takes Huskies on a 100-day voyage to up to 12 emerging nations.

Professional Outcomes: Michigan Tech’s industry connections yield exceptional results, with 93% of alumni successfully placed and commanding a strong median starting salary of $71,516. The university’s career fairs attract 400+ companies annually, creating pipelines to automotive leaders like GM, Ford, and Stellantis; heavy industry titans Caterpillar and Cummins; and healthcare technology developers like Medtronic. These outcomes validate Michigan Tech’s hands-on approach to technological education, producing graduates who immediately contribute to America’s industrial and energy sectors.

Academic Highlights: Kansas State University offers 250+ majors, minors, and certificates across a broad range of disciplines, combining the breadth of a large public university with a surprisingly intimate classroom experience—46% of sections enroll fewer than 20 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio stands at 18:1. Through the Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry, Wildcats can dive into mentored projects, present at symposia, and secure grants to fund their work, ensuring hands-on learning complements rigorous academics.

Professional Outcomes: Within six months of graduation, 96% of K-State alumni are employed or enrolled in further education. Top employers for recent grads include industry leaders like Burns & McDonnell, Cargill, Garmin, and Koch Industries, with 30% earning starting salaries above $70,000. For those pursuing advanced degrees, popular destinations include K-State itself, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri, reflecting the university’s strong regional and professional networks.

Academic Highlights: SDSU has nearly 160 undergraduate majors, minors, and pre-professional programs. Classes tend to be on the large side—27% of course sections enroll more than 40 students, and only 28% of sections contain fewer than 20 students. The Undergraduate Research Program pairs students with faculty mentors to work on research, scholarship, or creative projects. In total, 1,740 undergrads are involved in research every year. An incredible 700 study abroad programs can be accessed and the school ranks third in the country in terms of the sheer number of students taking a semester in a foreign country.

Professional Outcomes: At the time of receiving their degrees, roughly 75% of newly minted SDSU graduates already have their next phase of life planned. Thirty-four percent of recent grads had secured full-time employment, 21% were engaged in military service/volunteer work/part-time employment, and 17% were entering graduate or professional school. Recent employers of SDSU grads include Marriott, Vanguard, Google, Sherwin Williams, Disney, Deloitte, Chase, and the City of San Diego. San Diego keeps 65% of grads while Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County also have fairly strong representation.

Academic Highlights: UMBC stands as a national leader in innovative education, offering 100+ academic programs across six colleges with an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Renowned for its research intensity and undergraduate focus, 67% of classes maintain an intimate size of under 30 students, fostering close collaboration. The university’s signature Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievement Day (URCAD) showcases its commitment to hands-on learning, where students present original work alongside faculty mentors. This interdisciplinary approach prepares graduates to solve complex challenges.

Professional Outcomes: UMBC’s Class of 2023 achieved a 93% success rate, with 90% of employed graduates working in their desired fields at leading employers like Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, AstraZeneca, and Deloitte. Graduates command strong average salaries ($60,891) while 72% choose to strengthen Maryland’s workforce, particularly in the growing Baltimore-Washington corridor. Those pursuing advanced degrees gain admission to elite institutions including Princeton, Duke, and Carnegie Mellon, demonstrating UMBC’s ability to prepare students for both immediate career impact and long-term professional growth.

Academic Highlights: Virginia Commonwealth University combines the resources of a major public research institution (200+ academic programs) with surprising accessibility, maintaining a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows 35% of classes to cap at just 19 students. This balance of scale and personal attention serves a remarkably diverse community representing 46 states and 138 countries, creating dynamic learning environments where global perspectives thrive.

Professional Outcomes: VCU graduates find strong career success, with 41% securing employment and 22% entering graduate programs immediately after commencement. An impressive 87% express satisfaction with their outcomes, and 78% choose to build their careers within Virginia—including 34% in Richmond itself. The university serves as a vital talent pipeline for the state’s leading institutions, with alumni making significant contributions to VCU Health, Capital One, Sentara Health, and Dominion Energy, earning median salaries of $50,000. These outcomes demonstrate VCU’s dual impact as both an economic engine for Virginia and a launchpad for professional achievement.

Academic Highlights: Colorado State University provides students with a dynamic academic environment offering 74 undergraduate degree programs supported by a 17:1 student-to-faculty ratio. While 33% of courses maintain an intimate setting with fewer than 20 students, another 22% feature larger lecture-style classes, creating diverse learning experiences. CSU shines in hands-on learning, with 5,000+ undergraduates engaging in research annually and one in four students gaining global perspectives through study abroad or international programs—demonstrating the university’s commitment to experiential education at scale.

Professional Outcomes: CSU graduates achieve remarkable career success, with 90% of the Class of 2023 securing employment or graduate school placement within six months. An impressive 72% completed internships, contributing to strong outcomes where 87% landed jobs aligned with their career goals, and 69% overall were employed. Alumni thrive at industry leaders like Lockheed Martin, Deloitte, and Fidelity Investments, while those continuing their education frequently choose top public research universities, including the University of Colorado system, Arizona State, and the University of Washington. With an average starting salary of $57,461, CSU proves the value of its academic programs.

Academic Highlights: Mississippi State University delivers a comprehensive academic experience with 175+ undergraduate and graduate programs across nine colleges. The university maintains an ideal balance of resources and personal attention—its 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio supports classroom environments where 45% of sections have fewer than 20 students, while only 14% exceed 50 enrollees. This thoughtful approach ensures students benefit from both close faculty interaction and the dynamic energy of larger lectures when appropriate.

Professional Outcomes: MSU graduates hit the ground running—95% of the Class of 2024 secured employment or graduate school placement immediately after commencement. The majority (69%) launched careers with top employers like International Paper, Paccar, and federal agencies like the U.S. Air Force and the USDA, while 27% pursued advanced degrees. Bulldogs enjoy strong financial returns, with median earnings equaling $64,600 early in careers and nearly doubling to $113,900 by mid-career, demonstrating the lasting value of an MSU education in today’s competitive job market.

Academic Highlights: As Kentucky’s premier urban research university, the University of Louisville delivers a comprehensive academic experience through 90+ degree programs across 12 schools and colleges. The university’s 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and intentionally small classes (41% with fewer than 20 students) create an environment where personalized learning thrives. All undergraduates can engage in meaningful research opportunities, particularly through programs like the Summer Research Opportunity Program, ensuring students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical research experience that prepares them for professional success.

Professional Outcomes: Louisville graduates emerge ready to contribute to their fields, with alumni joining top employers including Humana, UPS, Norton Healthcare, and Jefferson County Public Schools. While many build their careers in the Louisville metropolitan area, leveraging the university’s strong regional connections, others take their UofL education to opportunities across the nation. The university’s emphasis on applied learning ensures graduates enter the workforce or graduate programs with demonstrable skills and experience.

Academic Highlights: Washington State University offers students exceptional academic flexibility with 103 majors and 71 minors, all supported by an outstanding 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This commitment to personalized education is reflected in class sizes, where 35% of courses maintain an intimate learning environment with 19 or fewer students, nearly double the number of large lectures (19% with 50+ students). Undergraduates can engage in meaningful research through the Research Scholars program starting as early as freshman year, while global opportunities abound with study abroad programs in 70 countries. WSU’s academic excellence is further validated by its faculty, which includes some of the world’s most influential researchers (top 1% of most-cited scholars).

Professional Outcomes: WSU graduates launch impressive careers with leading employers, including Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, along with regional powerhouses like Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Starbucks. The university’s career outcomes shine particularly bright in the long term, with alumni reaching an average mid-career salary of $124,000—a testament to the strong return on investment from a WSU degree.

Academic Highlights: Hunter College offers more than 100 undergraduate programs across five schools, combining breadth with accessibility. With a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, over one-third of classes maintain an intimate enrollment of fewer than 20 students. Undergraduates engage in hands-on research through the college’s numerous centers and institutes, spanning fields from urban policy to biomedical sciences. The campus’s global character is underscored by its diverse student body, representing 108 countries, while its Manhattan location provides unparalleled access to cultural and academic resources.

Professional Outcomes: Hunter graduates launch careers at leading New York institutions, including the NYC Board of Education, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, NYU Langone Health, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Northwell Health. Early-career alumni report a median salary of $67,400, reflecting the strong demand for their skills. The majority choose to build their lives in New York City, leveraging Hunter’s deep local networks.

Academic Highlights: Towson University provides students with exceptional academic choices through 110+ majors, concentrations, and tracks across diverse disciplines. The university maintains an ideal 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, creating a balanced learning environment where 36% of classes enroll fewer than 20 students (average class size: 24) and only 2% exceed 50 students. This thoughtful approach ensures students benefit from both personalized attention and the dynamic energy of medium-sized classes.

Professional Outcomes: Towson’s Class of 2024 achieved outstanding results, with 90% securing positive outcomes within six months—79% employed in Maryland and 17% enrolled in graduate programs at institutions like Georgetown and Johns Hopkins. Graduates command strong average starting salaries of $60,840 while contributing to top employers, including Northrop Grumman, Morgan Stanley, and Booz Allen Hamilton. These outcomes demonstrate TU’s dual strength as both Maryland’s workforce engine and a springboard to elite graduate programs.