Spike Rankings 2027

Best Large Colleges and Universities in America

Universities with 15,000 or more students, with the range of majors, research and campus life that size brings. How Spike ranks

How this list is ranked.

The Best Colleges order, kept to colleges with 15,000 or more students.

90 colleges qualify from Spike’s guide of 233. 15,000 or more students. Colleges without enough reported data are left out.

Guide updated . Data snapshot: . Sources and data years.

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90 colleges

  1. Number 1: University of California-Berkeley

    Berkeley, CA · Public · University · 33,068 students

    • 93% graduate
    • $100k after 10 years
    • $14,538 average net price
    Acceptance
    11%
    Net price
    $14,538
  2. Number 2: University of Virginia-Main Campus

    Charlottesville, VA · Public · University · 17,597 students

    • 95% graduate
    • $96k after 10 years
    • $18,056 average net price
    Acceptance
    17%
    Net price
    $18,056
    SAT median
    1440
  3. Number 3: Cornell University

    Ithaca, NY · Private · University · 15,995 students

    • 95% graduate
    • $114k after 10 years
    • $33,934 average net price
    Acceptance
    9%
    Net price
    $33,934
    SAT median
    1505
  4. Number 4: University of California-Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, CA · Public · University · 33,475 students

    • 93% graduate
    • $89k after 10 years
    • $14,659 average net price
    Acceptance
    9%
    Net price
    $14,659
  5. Number 5: University of Maryland-College Park

    College Park, MD · Public · University · 30,760 students

    • 88% graduate
    • $89k after 10 years
    • $14,296 average net price
    Acceptance
    45%
    Net price
    $14,296
    SAT median
    1420
  6. Number 6: University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

    Ann Arbor, MI · Public · University · 34,177 students

    • 93% graduate
    • $93k after 10 years
    • $14,362 average net price
    Acceptance
    16%
    Net price
    $14,362
  7. Number 7: University of California-San Diego

    La Jolla, CA · Public · University · 34,948 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $96k after 10 years
    • $14,794 average net price
    Acceptance
    27%
    Net price
    $14,794
  8. Number 8: University of California-Irvine

    Irvine, CA · Public · University · 30,197 students

    • 87% graduate
    • $83k after 10 years
    • $13,866 average net price
    Acceptance
    29%
    Net price
    $13,866
  9. Number 9: University of Florida

    Gainesville, FL · Public · University · 35,629 students

    • 92% graduate
    • $78k after 10 years
    • $5,969 average net price
    Acceptance
    24%
    Net price
    $5,969
    SAT median
    1385
  10. Number 10: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

    New York, NY · Public · 16,154 students

    • 71% graduate
    • $84k after 10 years
    • $657 average net price
    Acceptance
    48%
    Net price
    $657
  11. Number 11: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

    Atlanta, GA · Public · University · 18,785 students

    • 94% graduate
    • $114k after 10 years
    • $12,028 average net price
    Acceptance
    14%
    Net price
    $12,028
    SAT median
    1405
  12. Number 12: University of California-Davis

    Davis, CA · Public · University · 32,253 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $87k after 10 years
    • $14,318 average net price
    Acceptance
    42%
    Net price
    $14,318
  13. Number 13: University of Southern California

    Los Angeles, CA · Private · University · 20,443 students

    • 91% graduate
    • $103k after 10 years
    • $33,056 average net price
    Acceptance
    10%
    Net price
    $33,056
    SAT median
    1475
  14. Number 14: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

    Chapel Hill, NC · Public · University · 20,752 students

    • 91% graduate
    • $81k after 10 years
    • $11,305 average net price
    Acceptance
    15%
    Net price
    $11,305
    SAT median
    1260
  15. Number 15: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Champaign, IL · Public · University · 36,258 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $88k after 10 years
    • $13,042 average net price
    Acceptance
    42%
    Net price
    $13,042
    SAT median
    1415
  16. Number 16: University of California-Santa Barbara

    Santa Barbara, CA · Public · University · 23,113 students

    • 83% graduate
    • $83k after 10 years
    • $16,807 average net price
    Acceptance
    33%
    Net price
    $16,807
  17. Number 17: The University of Texas at Austin

    Austin, TX · Public · University · 42,855 students

    • 89% graduate
    • $82k after 10 years
    • $18,554 average net price
    Acceptance
    27%
    Net price
    $18,554
    SAT median
    1365
  18. Number 18: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

    San Luis Obispo, CA · Public · 21,996 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $96k after 10 years
    • $18,832 average net price
    Acceptance
    31%
    Net price
    $18,832
  19. Number 19: University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Madison, WI · Public · University · 36,902 students

    • 90% graduate
    • $80k after 10 years
    • $16,600 average net price
    Acceptance
    45%
    Net price
    $16,600
    SAT median
    1410
  20. Number 20: University of Washington-Seattle Campus

    Seattle, WA · Public · University · 31,942 students

    • 85% graduate
    • $83k after 10 years
    • $13,663 average net price
    Acceptance
    39%
    Net price
    $13,663
  21. Number 21: Rutgers University-New Brunswick

    New Brunswick, NJ · Public · University · 37,751 students

    • 84% graduate
    • $80k after 10 years
    • $24,897 average net price
    Acceptance
    58%
    Net price
    $24,897
    SAT median
    1355
  22. Number 22: Ohio State University-Main Campus

    Columbus, OH · Public · University · 45,638 students

    • 87% graduate
    • $67k after 10 years
    • $17,269 average net price
    Acceptance
    61%
    Net price
    $17,269
    SAT median
    1345
  23. Number 23: University of Georgia

    Athens, GA · Public · University · 32,137 students

    • 89% graduate
    • $77k after 10 years
    • $13,636 average net price
    Acceptance
    38%
    Net price
    $13,636
    SAT median
    1360
  24. Number 24: University of Connecticut

    Storrs, CT · Public · University · 19,835 students

    • 83% graduate
    • $82k after 10 years
    • $24,342 average net price
    Acceptance
    52%
    Net price
    $24,342
    SAT median
    1330
  25. Number 25: Stony Brook University

    Stony Brook, NY · Public · University · 18,101 students

    • 76% graduate
    • $83k after 10 years
    • $18,902 average net price
    Acceptance
    49%
    Net price
    $18,902
    SAT median
    1390
  26. Number 26: San Jose State University

    San Jose, CA · Public · 27,601 students

    • 68% graduate
    • $83k after 10 years
    • $14,241 average net price
    Acceptance
    85%
    Net price
    $14,241
  27. Number 27: North Carolina State University at Raleigh

    Raleigh, NC · Public · University · 27,371 students

    • 85% graduate
    • $78k after 10 years
    • $16,486 average net price
    Acceptance
    42%
    Net price
    $16,486
    SAT median
    1355
  28. Number 28: Florida State University

    Tallahassee, FL · Public · University · 32,212 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $8,605 average net price
    Acceptance
    24%
    Net price
    $8,605
    SAT median
    1260
  29. Number 29: University of California-Riverside

    Riverside, CA · Public · University · 22,593 students

    • 76% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $12,672 average net price
    Acceptance
    76%
    Net price
    $12,672
  30. Number 30: California State University-Fullerton

    Fullerton, CA · Public · University · 38,546 students

    • 69% graduate
    • $69k after 10 years
    • $5,115 average net price
    Acceptance
    91%
    Net price
    $5,115
  31. Number 31: Florida International University

    Miami, FL · Public · University · 39,508 students

    • 76% graduate
    • $66k after 10 years
    • $11,462 average net price
    Acceptance
    55%
    Net price
    $11,462
    SAT median
    1150
  32. Number 32: University of Delaware

    Newark, DE · Public · University · 19,071 students

    • 79% graduate
    • $84k after 10 years
    • $16,337 average net price
    Acceptance
    71%
    Net price
    $16,337
    SAT median
    1248
  33. Number 33: Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

    Blacksburg, VA · Public · University · 30,923 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $89k after 10 years
    • $25,808 average net price
    Acceptance
    55%
    Net price
    $25,808
    SAT median
    1310
  34. Number 34: Texas A&M University-College Station

    College Station, TX · Public · University · 59,615 students

    • 84% graduate
    • $78k after 10 years
    • $21,527 average net price
    Acceptance
    57%
    Net price
    $21,527
    SAT median
    1260
  35. Number 35: The University of Texas at Dallas

    Richardson, TX · Public · University · 21,751 students

    • 77% graduate
    • $75k after 10 years
    • $15,271 average net price
    Acceptance
    65%
    Net price
    $15,271
  36. Number 36: Michigan State University

    East Lansing, MI · Public · University · 40,922 students

    • 81% graduate
    • $74k after 10 years
    • $21,322 average net price
    Acceptance
    85%
    Net price
    $21,322
    SAT median
    1210
  37. Number 37: George Mason University

    Fairfax, VA · Public · University · 27,752 students

    • 67% graduate
    • $80k after 10 years
    • $14,697 average net price
    Acceptance
    87%
    Net price
    $14,697
    SAT median
    1245
  38. Number 38: CUNY Hunter College

    New York, NY · Public · 16,289 students

    • 58% graduate
    • $71k after 10 years
    • $1,051 average net price
    Acceptance
    54%
    Net price
    $1,051
  39. Number 39: California State University-Fresno

    Fresno, CA · Public · University · 21,605 students

    • 58% graduate
    • $63k after 10 years
    • $5,418 average net price
    Acceptance
    95%
    Net price
    $5,418
  40. Number 40: Boston University

    Boston, MA · Private · University · 18,248 students

    • 89% graduate
    • $89k after 10 years
    • $36,503 average net price
    Acceptance
    11%
    Net price
    $36,503
    SAT median
    1440
  41. Number 41: Indiana University-Bloomington

    Bloomington, IN · Public · University · 37,806 students

    • 80% graduate
    • $70k after 10 years
    • $16,003 average net price
    Acceptance
    78%
    Net price
    $16,003
    SAT median
    1270
  42. Number 42: California State University-Long Beach

    Long Beach, CA · Public · University · 35,924 students

    • 70% graduate
    • $70k after 10 years
    • $9,426 average net price
    Acceptance
    46%
    Net price
    $9,426
  43. Number 43: New York University

    New York, NY · Private · University · 28,663 students

    • 88% graduate
    • $91k after 10 years
    • $35,737 average net price
    Acceptance
    9%
    Net price
    $35,737
    SAT median
    1510
  44. Number 44: Purdue University-Main Campus

    West Lafayette, IN · Public · University · 44,503 students

    • 84% graduate
    • $80k after 10 years
    • $14,851 average net price
    Acceptance
    50%
    Net price
    $14,851
    SAT median
    1310
  45. Number 45: University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

    Norman, OK · Public · University · 22,734 students

    • 75% graduate
    • $67k after 10 years
    • $15,531 average net price
    Acceptance
    77%
    Net price
    $15,531
    SAT median
    1245
  46. Number 46: Clemson University

    Clemson, SC · Public · University · 23,300 students

    • 87% graduate
    • $79k after 10 years
    • $22,032 average net price
    Acceptance
    38%
    Net price
    $22,032
    SAT median
    1320
  47. Number 47: San Diego State University

    San Diego, CA · Public · University · 35,377 students

    • 77% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $13,243 average net price
    Acceptance
    36%
    Net price
    $13,243
  48. Number 48: University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

    Pittsburgh, PA · Public · University · 20,370 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $29,362 average net price
    Acceptance
    58%
    Net price
    $29,362
    SAT median
    1360
  49. Number 49: University of Houston

    Houston, TX · Public · University · 38,380 students

    • 65% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $11,439 average net price
    Acceptance
    74%
    Net price
    $11,439
    SAT median
    1235
  50. Number 50: University of Missouri-Columbia

    Columbia, MO · Public · University · 23,929 students

    • 76% graduate
    • $70k after 10 years
    • $21,142 average net price
    Acceptance
    78%
    Net price
    $21,142
    SAT median
    1240
  51. Number 51: University of Central Florida

    Orlando, FL · Public · University · 59,146 students

    • 78% graduate
    • $63k after 10 years
    • $11,516 average net price
    Acceptance
    40%
    Net price
    $11,516
    SAT median
    1260
  52. Number 52: James Madison University

    Harrisonburg, VA · Public · University · 20,888 students

    • 80% graduate
    • $75k after 10 years
    • $23,550 average net price
    Acceptance
    72%
    Net price
    $23,550
    SAT median
    1225
  53. Number 53: University of Iowa

    Iowa City, IA · Public · University · 22,264 students

    • 75% graduate
    • $71k after 10 years
    • $22,508 average net price
    Acceptance
    84%
    Net price
    $22,508
    SAT median
    1240
  54. Number 54: California State University-Northridge

    Northridge, CA · Public · 32,691 students

    • 57% graduate
    • $64k after 10 years
    • $6,346 average net price
    Acceptance
    93%
    Net price
    $6,346
  55. Number 55: California State University-Sacramento

    Sacramento, CA · Public · 28,350 students

    • 55% graduate
    • $69k after 10 years
    • $11,186 average net price
    Acceptance
    94%
    Net price
    $11,186
  56. Number 56: Temple University

    Philadelphia, PA · Public · University · 20,970 students

    • 74% graduate
    • $71k after 10 years
    • $23,058 average net price
    Acceptance
    80%
    Net price
    $23,058
  57. Number 57: San Francisco State University

    San Francisco, CA · Public · University · 18,639 students

    • 50% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $9,803 average net price
    Acceptance
    96%
    Net price
    $9,803
  58. Number 58: Washington State University

    Pullman, WA · Public · University · 21,099 students

    • 62% graduate
    • $72k after 10 years
    • $13,462 average net price
    Acceptance
    87%
    Net price
    $13,462
  59. Number 59: University of Mississippi

    University, MS · Public · University · 21,473 students

    • 71% graduate
    • $59k after 10 years
    • $13,752 average net price
    Acceptance
    97%
    Net price
    $13,752
    SAT median
    1126
  60. Number 60: Iowa State University

    Ames, IA · Public · University · 25,367 students

    • 76% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $18,517 average net price
    Acceptance
    89%
    Net price
    $18,517
    SAT median
    1207
  61. Number 61: Arizona State University Campus Immersion

    Tempe, AZ · Public · University · 64,674 students

    • 68% graduate
    • $69k after 10 years
    • $14,694 average net price
    Acceptance
    90%
    Net price
    $14,694
  62. Number 62: Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

    University Park, PA · Public · University · 42,284 students

    • 86% graduate
    • $72k after 10 years
    • $33,675 average net price
    Acceptance
    61%
    Net price
    $33,675
  63. Number 63: University of Kentucky

    Lexington, KY · Public · University · 24,763 students

    • 72% graduate
    • $64k after 10 years
    • $18,868 average net price
    Acceptance
    93%
    Net price
    $18,868
    SAT median
    1207
  64. Number 64: University of Oregon

    Eugene, OR · Public · University · 20,497 students

    • 71% graduate
    • $67k after 10 years
    • $22,547 average net price
    Acceptance
    88%
    Net price
    $22,547
  65. Number 65: Illinois State University

    Normal, IL · Public · University · 19,057 students

    • 66% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $17,829 average net price
    Acceptance
    88%
    Net price
    $17,829
    SAT median
    1100
  66. Number 66: University of South Carolina-Columbia

    Columbia, SC · Public · University · 29,820 students

    • 79% graduate
    • $69k after 10 years
    • $22,197 average net price
    Acceptance
    60%
    Net price
    $22,197
    SAT median
    1255
  67. Number 67: University of Kansas

    Lawrence, KS · Public · University · 21,217 students

    • 70% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $20,004 average net price
    Acceptance
    93%
    Net price
    $20,004
    SAT median
    1210
  68. Number 68: Miami University-Oxford

    Oxford, OH · Public · University · 16,656 students

    • 81% graduate
    • $64k after 10 years
    • $29,447 average net price
    Acceptance
    75%
    Net price
    $29,447
    SAT median
    1265
  69. Number 69: University of Colorado Boulder

    Boulder, CO · Public · University · 31,939 students

    • 74% graduate
    • $78k after 10 years
    • $23,708 average net price
    Acceptance
    78%
    Net price
    $23,708
    SAT median
    1280
  70. Number 70: Syracuse University

    Syracuse, NY · Private · University · 15,477 students

    • 82% graduate
    • $85k after 10 years
    • $43,336 average net price
    Acceptance
    46%
    Net price
    $43,336
    SAT median
    1310
  71. Number 71: Virginia Commonwealth University

    Richmond, VA · Public · University · 20,753 students

    • 64% graduate
    • $64k after 10 years
    • $25,037 average net price
    Acceptance
    93%
    Net price
    $25,037
    SAT median
    1185
  72. Number 72: Kansas State University

    Manhattan, KS · Public · University · 15,142 students

    • 71% graduate
    • $61k after 10 years
    • $18,210 average net price
    Acceptance
    82%
    Net price
    $18,210
  73. Number 73: Florida Atlantic University

    Boca Raton, FL · Public · University · 23,757 students

    • 63% graduate
    • $61k after 10 years
    • $10,394 average net price
    Acceptance
    66%
    Net price
    $10,394
    SAT median
    1110
  74. Number 74: Auburn University

    Auburn, AL · Public · University · 26,816 students

    • 82% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $25,424 average net price
    Acceptance
    46%
    Net price
    $25,424
  75. Number 75: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    Lincoln, NE · Public · University · 19,178 students

    • 68% graduate
    • $62k after 10 years
    • $16,214 average net price
    Acceptance
    87%
    Net price
    $16,214
    SAT median
    1205
  76. Number 76: Texas Tech University

    Lubbock, TX · Public · University · 32,394 students

    • 69% graduate
    • $67k after 10 years
    • $19,890 average net price
    Acceptance
    73%
    Net price
    $19,890
    SAT median
    1195
  77. Number 77: The University of Texas at Arlington

    Arlington, TX · Public · University · 32,294 students

    • 52% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $17,040 average net price
    Acceptance
    80%
    Net price
    $17,040
    SAT median
    1110
  78. Number 78: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

    Cincinnati, OH · Public · University · 29,882 students

    • 75% graduate
    • $61k after 10 years
    • $24,917 average net price
    Acceptance
    85%
    Net price
    $24,917
    SAT median
    1250
  79. Number 79: Oregon State University

    Corvallis, OR · Public · University · 30,743 students

    • 69% graduate
    • $68k after 10 years
    • $21,504 average net price
    Acceptance
    77%
    Net price
    $21,504
    SAT median
    1245
  80. Number 80: University of Utah

    Salt Lake City, UT · Public · University · 27,264 students

    • 66% graduate
    • $73k after 10 years
    • $27,314 average net price
    Acceptance
    86%
    Net price
    $27,314
    SAT median
    1285
  81. Number 81: Colorado State University-Fort Collins

    Fort Collins, CO · Public · University · 25,538 students

    • 67% graduate
    • $67k after 10 years
    • $22,247 average net price
    Acceptance
    89%
    Net price
    $22,247
    SAT median
    1185
  82. Number 82: Ohio University-Main Campus

    Athens, OH · Public · University · 19,633 students

    • 65% graduate
    • $62k after 10 years
    • $20,666 average net price
    Acceptance
    85%
    Net price
    $20,666
    SAT median
    1180
  83. Number 83: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

    Baton Rouge, LA · Public · University · 30,594 students

    • 68% graduate
    • $64k after 10 years
    • $19,286 average net price
    Acceptance
    73%
    Net price
    $19,286
    SAT median
    1225
  84. Number 84: Old Dominion University

    Norfolk, VA · Public · University · 17,514 students

    • 45% graduate
    • $60k after 10 years
    • $12,913 average net price
    Acceptance
    90%
    Net price
    $12,913
    SAT median
    1120
  85. Number 85: The University of Texas at San Antonio

    San Antonio, TX · Public · University · 30,580 students

    • 52% graduate
    • $61k after 10 years
    • $9,872 average net price
    Acceptance
    87%
    Net price
    $9,872
    SAT median
    1120
  86. Number 86: Mississippi State University

    Mississippi State, MS · Public · University · 18,397 students

    • 68% graduate
    • $54k after 10 years
    • $18,781 average net price
    Acceptance
    78%
    Net price
    $18,781
    SAT median
    1155
  87. Number 87: West Virginia University

    Morgantown, WV · Public · University · 17,385 students

    • 65% graduate
    • $63k after 10 years
    • $18,020 average net price
    Acceptance
    89%
    Net price
    $18,020
    SAT median
    1130
  88. Number 88: University of New Mexico-Main Campus

    Albuquerque, NM · Public · University · 17,244 students

    • 54% graduate
    • $50k after 10 years
    • $19,966 average net price
    Acceptance
    95%
    Net price
    $19,966
  89. Number 89: Boise State University

    Boise, ID · Public · University · 17,674 students

    • 61% graduate
    • $60k after 10 years
    • $18,423 average net price
    Acceptance
    87%
    Net price
    $18,423
  90. Number 90: Kent State University at Kent

    Kent, OH · Public · University · 19,320 students

    • 57% graduate
    • $51k after 10 years
    • $20,294 average net price
    Acceptance
    86%
    Net price
    $20,294
    SAT median
    1105

How to use this ranking.

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