The Top 25 Smartest Colleges and Universities in The United States
These 25 universities are the best of the best when it comes to higher education. On this year's list, you'll find a strong mix of colleges. From the hallowed institutions that rank perennially on these lists to the more modern universities proving they can excel, the students from these universities have shown that they are a cut above the rest.
20. Georgetown University
Located in the bustling capital city of Washington DC, Georgetown's students have a lot of opportunities to change the world. At a 12.7% acceptance rate, Georgetown is among the most selective schools in the country. Students who make the cut take full advantage, as Georgetown has a freshman retention rate of 96%, indicating very high student satisfaction. 
19. Washington University in St. Louis
The only Missouri school to make the list is Washington University in St. Louis. The school, as its name suggests, takes us to the bustling Gateway to the West, St. Louis. The programs that WashU is best known for include their top-ranked School of Social Work, the Olin Business School, School of Law, and School of Medicine. 
18. University of Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame do much more than fight, it seems. They study quite hard as well, pushing the University of Notre Dame up to 18th in this ranking of the smartest colleges in the country. The average Notre Dame grad can expect to make over $60,000 right out of the gates, making Notre Dame one of the most respected universities by employers. 
17. Vanderbilt University
Number 17 in our rankings takes us to the Music City, none other than Nashville, Tennessee. The Vanderbilt Commodores are among the smartest schools in the country, giving them something to brag about over their fellow SEC schools. Bama can have their football as long as Vanderbilt's academics blow the other SEC schools out of the water, right? At an 11% acceptance rate and a $58,000 average starting salary, Vanderbilt is among the most selective, yet most rewarding universities in America. 
16. Rice University
Rice University is a private research university that makes it home in Houston, Texas. The high quality of student education can be attributed to one important factor: student to faculty ratio. With a 5:1 ratio, it is one of the lowest in all of America, proving Rice’s emphasis on student learning above anything else. It seems to work, as 101 Fulbright Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 24 Marshall Scholars and 12 Rhodes Scholars have come out of the university. |
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