Best Graduate Schools for U.S. Students in 2024

Sep 6, 2024, 05:02 EDT

In 2024, the best graduate schools for U.S. students include top institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Harvard, which are renowned for their strong programs in various fields. These schools not only offer rigorous academics but also lead to excellent career opportunities, with graduates often earning significantly higher salaries than those with only a bachelor's degree.

Best Graduate Schools for U.S. Students
Best Graduate Schools for U.S. Students

Among the 100+ graduate schools in America, finding the ideal one can be a daunting task. And even if you've selected one, does it align with your goals or will it be the best fit for your future career aspirations?

This question can make you go back to the drawing board and reassess your options to ensure you make the right choice for your academic and professional growth.

The U.S. News has recently released its 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings list. Here you can find the best U.S. universities that offer top-notch programs in your field of interest, helping you narrow down your choices and make a more informed decision.

List Of The Top-ranked Graduate Schools in the U.S.

Rank

University

Location

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Cambridge, United States

4

Harvard University

Cambridge, United States

6

Stanford University

Stanford, United States

10

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Pasadena, United States

11

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, United States

12

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

Berkeley, United States

16

Cornell University

Ithaca, United States

21

University of Chicago

Chicago, United States

22

Princeton University

Princeton, United States

23

Yale University

New Haven, United States

=32

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, United States

=34

Columbia University

New York City, United States

42

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Los Angeles, United States

43

New York University (NYU)

New York City, United States

44

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, United States

=50

Northwestern University

Evanston, United States

58

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, United States

61

Duke University

Durham, United States

66

University of Texas at Austin

Austin, United States

=69

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, United States

Now, when you know which is the best graduate school in the U.S., there must be a curiosity inside your mind: do these schools share the same academic rigour and reputation in all fields of study?

Some are known for their strengths in specific areas, such as business, law, or engineering. Each top graduate school has unique strengths and resources that attract students with diverse academic interests and career goals.

List of the Niche Specific Graduate Schools in the U.S.

The following table shows which graduate school is best for specific fields of study based on rankings and reputation. 

Best Law Schools

For the best law schools, you can consider:

Rank

University

City

Overall Score

Application Fee

1

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

100

$85

1

Yale University

New Haven, CT

100

$85

3

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

99

$90

4

Duke University

Durham, NC

97

$80

4

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

97

$85

4

University of Pennsylvania (Carey)

Philadelphia, PA

97

$85

4

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA

97

$85

8

Columbia University

New York, NY

96

$85

9

New York University

New York, NY

95

$85

9

Northwestern University (Pritzker)

Chicago, IL

95

$75

Best Business Schools

For the best business schools, you can consider:

Rank

University

City

Overall Score

Application Fee

1

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

100

$275

1

University of Pennsylvania (Wharton)

Philadelphia, PA

100

$275

3

Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Evanston, IL

99

$250

3

University of Chicago (Booth)

Chicago, IL

99

$250

5

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Sloan)

Cambridge, MA

97

$250

6

Harvard University

Allston, MA

95

$250

7

New York University (Stern)

New York, NY

92

$250

7

University of California, Berkeley (HAAS)

Berkeley, CA

92

$200

7

Yale University

New Haven, CT

92

$250

10

Dartmouth College (Tuck)

Hanover, NH

91

$250

Best Nursing Schools

For the best nursing schools, you can consider:

Rank

University

City

Overall Score

Application Fee

1

Emory University (Woodruff)

Atlanta, GA

100

$50

1

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

100

$80

3

Duke University

Durham, NC

95

$50

4

Ohio State University

Columbus, OH

94

$60

4

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

94

$80

4

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN

94

$50

7

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

92

$80

8

New York University (Meyers)

New York, NY

90

$80

8

University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill

Chapel Hil, NC

90

$175

10

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

89

$75

Best Education Schools

For the best education schools, you can consider:

Rank

University

City

Overall Score

Application Fee

1

Teachers College, Columbia University

New York, NY

100

$75

1

University of Wisconsin--Madison

Madison, WI

100

$75

3

University of California--Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

98

$135

3

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

98

$0

5

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

97

$95

5

Vanderbilt University (Peabody)

Nashville, TN

97

$0

7

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

96

$0

8

Harvard University

Cambridge, MA

94

$85

8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

94

$80

8

New York University (Steinhardt)

New York, NY

94

$75

The enrollment at these top graduate schools shows how well respected they are and the great opportunities they offer to students. For example, Stanford University and Yale University are tied for the best graduate school in the 2024 U.S. News rankings, highlighting their strong programs in areas like law and business.

Harvard University is also consistently in the top five, attracting talented students from all over. The University of Chicago ranks third overall, known for its challenging academics and innovative research. With more than 2,000 graduate programs evaluated, these schools not only provide excellent education but also lead to great job prospects.

Graduates from top business schools can earn millions more over their careers compared to those with just a bachelor's degree. This mix of high-quality programs and successful alumni makes these graduate schools the best choice for U.S. students in 2024.

Kriti Barua
Kriti Barua

Executive Content Writer

Kriti Barua is a professional content writer who has four years of experience in creating engaging and informative articles for various industries. She started her career as a creative writer intern at Wordloom Ventures and quickly developed a passion for crafting compelling narratives that resonate with readers.

Currently working as a content writer for the GK section of Jagran New Media, she continues to hone her skills in writing and strives to deliver high-quality content that educates and entertains readers.
... Read More

Trending Tags