For any high school graduate, taking the first step to independence is important. Regardless of the field you intend on pursuing, college in a big city provides great social exposure, cultural diversity, and internship and job opportunities.
In the US, an urbanized education experience isn’t hard to find. Large-population cities can be found in every state and corner of the country, each with multiple universities, trade schools, and post-secondary options. If you’re on the hunt for colleges in big cities, there are many to choose from.
Impactful News ranked the top schools in cities with a population of over 300,000. The following schools were gathered from Niche’s list of 2023 Best Colleges in America and filtered according to recent population statistics from the US Census Bureau.
Best Universities in Highly-populated Cities
Rice University
- Location: Houston, TX
- Population: 2,288,250
- Tuition + fees: $19,215
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
- Enrollment: 4,150
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median earnings: $65,400
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
University of Pennsylvania
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Population: 1,576,251
- Tuition + fees: $24,167
- Acceptance rate: 9%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
- Enrollment: 9,960
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Median earnings: $85,900
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Columbia University
- Location: New York, NY
- Population: 8,467,513
- Tuition + fees: $22,126
- Acceptance rate: 7%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1
- Enrollment: 7,509
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Median earnings: $83,300
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
Vanderbilt University
- Location: Nashville, TN
- Population: 678,851
- Tuition + fees: $25,804
- Acceptance rate: 12%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
- Enrollment: 6,983
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median earnings: $69,000
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
University of Chicago
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Population: 2,696,555
- Tuition + fees: $36,584
- Acceptance: 7%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1
- Enrollment: 7,020
- Graduation rate: 96%
- Median earnings: $68,100
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Georgetown University
- Location: Washington, DC
- Population: 670,050
- Tuition + fees: $30,710
- Acceptance rate: 17%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
- Enrollment: 6,610
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median earnings: $93,500
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Johns Hopkins University
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Population: 576,498
- Tuition+ fees: $25,241
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1
- Enrollment: 5,766
- Graduation rate: 94%
- Median earnings: $73,200
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Carnegie Mellon University
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Population: 300,431
- Tuition + fees: $36,983
- Acceptance rate: 17%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
- Enrollment: 6,341
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median earnings: $83,600
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
University of California – Los Angeles
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Population: 3,849,297
- Tuition + fees: $16,474
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Enrollment: 31,068
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median earnings: $60,700
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
Georgia Institute of Technology
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Population: 496,461
- Tuition + fees: $17,410
- Acceptance rate: 21%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
- Enrollment: 14,485
- Graduation rate: 91%
- Median earnings: $79,100
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
University of Southern California
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Population: 3,849,297
- Tuition + fees: $39,759
- Acceptance rate: 16%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Enrollment: 18,560
- Graduation rate: 92%
- Median earnings: $74,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Barnard College
- Location: New York, NY
- Population: 8,467,513
- Tuition + fees: $30,572
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
- Enrollment: 2,651
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median earnings: $57,900
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
Emory University
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Population: 496,461
- Tuition + fees: $25,672
- Acceptance rate: 19%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1
- Enrollment: 6,814
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median earnings: $66,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Northeastern University
- Location: Boston, MA
- Population: 654,776
- Tuition + fees: $37,738
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
- Enrollment: 15,131
- Graduation rate: 90%
- Median earnings: $67,400
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
University of Texas – Austin
- Location: Austin, TX
- Population: 964,177
- Tuition + fees: $16,892
- Acceptance rate: 32%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Enrollment: 37,404
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Median earnings: $58,200
- Two-year employment: 93%
Boston University
- Location: Boston, MA
- Population: 654,776
- Tuition + fees: $29,154
- Acceptance rate: 20%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
- Enrollment: 16,026
- Graduation rate: 89%
- Median earnings: $65,300
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
New York University
- Location: New York, NY
- Population: 8,467,513
- Tuition + fees: $29,154
- Acceptance rate: 21%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
- Enrollment: 25,854
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Median earnings: $61,900
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Tulane University
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Population: 376,971
- Tuition + fees: $47,413
- Acceptance rate: 11%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
- Enrollment: 8,231
- Graduation rate: 86%
- Median earnings: $61,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Case Western Reserve University
- Location: Cleveland, OH
- Population: 367,991
- Tuition + fees: $36,002
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
- Enrollment: 5,286
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Median earnings: $74,600
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
University of California – Irvine
- Location: Irvine, CA
- Population: 309,031
- Tuition + fees: $13,106
- Acceptance rate: 30%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Enrollment: 28,990
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Median earnings: $58,400
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
University of Washington
- Location: Seattle, WA
- Population: 733,919
- Tuition + fees: $9,661
- Acceptance rate: 56%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
- Enrollment: 29,350
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median earnings: $57,700
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
- Location: New York, NY
- Population: 8,467,513
- Tuition + fees: $25,005
- Acceptance rate: 18%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
- Enrollment: 802
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Median earnings: $64,900
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
The Ohio State University
- Location: Columbus, OH
- Population: 906,528
- Tuition + fees: $18,884
- Acceptance rate: 68%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
- Enrollment: 42,734
- Graduation rate: 87%
- Median earnings: $46,100
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
Southern Methodist University
- Location: Dallas, TX
- Population: 1,288,457
- Tuition + fees: $41,444
- Acceptance rate: 53%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Enrollment: 6,616
- Graduation rate: 81%
- Median earnings: $60,700
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
North Carolina State University
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Population: 469,124
- Tuition + fees: $14,600
- Acceptance rate: 46%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
- Enrollment: 22,929
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median earnings: $52,500
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
Macalester College
- Location: St. Paul, MN
- Population: 307,193
- Tuition + fees: $35,589
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
- Enrollment: 2,207
- Graduation rate: 93%
- Median earnings: $47,600
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
University of Pittsburgh
- Location: Pittsburgh, PA
- Population: 300,431
- Tuition + fees: $22,346
- Acceptance rate: 64%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 4:1
- Enrollment: 18,298
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median earnings: $53,900
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
University of Minnesota Twin Cities
- Location: Minneapolis, MN
- Population: 425,336
- Tuition + fees: $17,729
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
- Enrollment: 28,989
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median earnings: $51,900
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
George Washington University
- Location: Washington, DC
- Population: 670,050
- Tuition + fees: $40,308
- Acceptance rate: 43%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
- Enrollment: 10,141
- Graduation rate: 85%
- Median earnings: $69,600
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
University of South Florida
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Population: 387,050
- Tuition + fees: $10,004
- Acceptance rate: 49%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
- Enrollment: 29,650
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Median earnings: $43,500
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Trinity University
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Population: 1,451,853
- Tuition + fees: $31,341
- Acceptance rate: 34%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
- Enrollment: 2,471
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Median earnings: $54,900
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
Colorado College
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Population: 483,956
- Tuition + fees: $27,319
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
- Enrollment: 2,190
- Graduation rate: 88%
- Median earnings: $45,400
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Texas Christian University
- Location: Fort Worth, TX
- Population: 935,508
- Tuition + fees: $40,220
- Acceptance rate: 48%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 11:1
- Enrollment: 9,448
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median earnings: $52,800
- Two-year employment rate: 94%
Reed College
- Location: Portland, OR
- Population: 641,162
- Tuition + fees: $33,980
- Acceptance rate: 42%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
- Enrollment: 1,492
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Median earnings: $42,200
- Two-year employment rate: 88%
University of Central Florida
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Population: 309,154
- Tuition + fees: $11,108
- Acceptance rate: 45%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 28:1
- Enrollment: 43,513
- Graduation rate: 74%
- Median earnings: $45,400
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
The University of Tulsa
- Location: Tulsa, OK
- Population: 411,401
- Tuition + fees: $25,333
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
- Enrollment: 2,819
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Median earnings: $48,500
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Occidental College
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Population: 3,849,297
- Tuition + fees: $41,102
- Acceptance rate: 41%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
- Enrollment: 1,938
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median earnings: $50,600
- Two-year employment rate: 89%
Florida International University
- Location: Miami, FL
- Population: 439,890
- Tuition + fees: $8,988
- Acceptance rate: 58%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 20:1
- Enrollment: 27,551
- Graduation rate: 67%
- Median earnings: $46,300
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
University of Cincinnati
- Location: Cincinnati, OH
- Population: 308,935
- Tuition + fees: $22,767
- Acceptance rate: 76%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
- Enrollment: 24,301
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Median earnings: $42,300
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Loyola Marymount University
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
- Population: 3,849,297
- Tuition + fees: $48,758
- Acceptance rate: 50%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
- Enrollment: 6,383
- Graduation rate: 83%
- Median earnings: $61,300
- Two-year employment rate: 93%
University of San Diego
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Population: 1,381,611
- Tuition + fees: $37,547
- Acceptance rate: 59%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 8:1
- Enrollment: 5,294
- Graduation rate: 80%
- Median earnings: $60,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
American University
- Location: Washington, DC
- Population: 670,050
- Tuition + fees: $37,319
- Acceptance rate: 39%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 7:1
- Enrollment: 7,453
- Graduation rate: 79%
- Median earnings: $61,000
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Creighton University
- Location: Omaha, NE
- Population: 487,300
- Tuition + fees: $32,355
- Acceptance rate: 64%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 6:1
- Enrollment: 4,330
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median income: $59,700
- Two-year employment rate: 95%
Yeshiva University
- Location: New York, NY
- Population: 276,807
- Tuition + fees: $35,603
- Acceptance rate: 67%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1
- Enrollment: 2,553
- Graduation rate: 77%
- Median earnings: $58,500
- Two-year employment rate: 82%
University of Portland
- Location: Portland, OR
- Population: 641,162
- Tuition + fees: $37,317
- Acceptance rate: 77%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 10:1
- Enrollment: 3,456
- Graduation rate: 84%
- Median earnings: $58,800
- Two-year employment rate: 96%
University of Colorado Denver
- Location: Denver, CO
- Population: 711,463
- Tuition + fees: $15,585
- Acceptance rate: 66%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 2:1
- Enrollment: 8,622
- Graduation rate: 44%
- Median earnings: $56,400
- Two-year employment rate: 90%
California State University – Long Beach
- Location: Long Beach, CA
- Population: 456,062
- Tuition + fees: $10,568
- Acceptance rate: 42%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 21:1
- Enrollment: 29,110
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Median earnings: $48,100
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
University of Arizona
- Location: Tucson, AZ
- Population: 543,242
- Tuition + fees: $15,620
- Acceptance rate: 85%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
- Enrollment: 28,556
- Graduation rate: 65%
- Median earnings: $47,300
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
Point Loma Nazarene University
- Location: San Diego, CA
- Population: 1,381,611
- Tuition + fees: $34,644
- Acceptance rate: 84%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 12:1
- Enrollment: 2,543
- Graduation rate: 72%
- Median earnings: $50,900
- Two-year employment rate: 91%
Rhodes College
- Location: Memphis, TN
- Population: 628,127
- Tuition + fees: $29,852
- Acceptance rate: 51%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 9:1
- Enrollment: 1,788
- Graduation rate: 82%
- Median earnings: $53,600
- Two-year employment rate: 92%
