If you already know what you want to major in, the next step is choosing the best school to help you reach your goals. This can be a difficult decision, but with the right information, you’ll be able to narrow down the best college for you in no time. To get the ball rolling, take a look at the top colleges in the United States based on majors.
The top school for business is the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. They offer a variety of business majors and concentrations, including finance, marketing, ethics, operations, management, entrepreneurship, and many more. You will also have the ability to pursue an MBA or specialized master's degree, which is not offered at some universities. The professors are renowned scholars and practitioners, allowing them to give their student’s real-life business scenarios. They emphasize hands on learning so each student is equipped for their career. They have an extensive alumni network around the globe, which can help with job opportunities in the future. Its tuition for full-time students is $77,500 per year.
Stanford University in Connecticut is deemed the school with the most successful psychology program. This college is so well known because of how well they teach their students the ins and outs of cognitive behavior, preparing them for their full time careers. The psychology program is selective, as only 10 to 15 students per year are admitted into the program. Stanford also offers a PHD program that focuses on research and learning how to adapt to professional environments. The average annual tuition for this college is $56,000.
John Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School, located in Maryland, is rated the top school for public health. Studies suggest that graduates from JHU earn on average $25,000 or more per year over other health professionals who graduated elsewhere. There are 10 different departments all under the public health umbrella at The Bloomberg School. Research is valued deeply here, with over 80 centers to work in. Another plus is that there is no shortage of teachers and faculty at this school, totaling over 1,500 people. Tuition for students is around $59,000 per year.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the best schools for engineering. Within the engineering major, this school offers concentrations in areas such as mechanical engineering, biological engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and more. With over 20 research centers and a solid ratio of teachers to students, you will always be provided with the guidance necessary to succeed. This school is known for its different teaching styles, emphasizing interactive learning techniques. If this approach is better for you, this is a perfect match. One factor to consider is that this school has low acceptance rates. If you apply to this school, make sure you meet the requirements. Typically, students with a high school GPA of 3.9 or higher get admitted.
Northwestern University is currently ranked as the best college for students majoring in communications. Northwestern’s department takes pride in helping students take on roles of leadership and understanding in the modern world of media, law, public relations, and more. Northwestern requires all communications majors to complete 12 courses in the related field. Students affiliated with this major also have opportunities to conduct personal research and attend debates with civil discourse. This school extends an accelerated master's program to those interested. This program can be taken online or on-site depending on your needs.
The University of Southern California (USC) is a superior destination for performing arts majors. This program has around 175 graduates per year and close to 1000 for majors closely related to the arts. Aside from the obvious performance aspect, students can pinpoint exactly what they want to get involved in, whether it be sound design, theatrical design, stage management, or technical direction. Due to this school being a private institution, tuition can cost around $60,000 per year. The school of dramatic arts also offers master's programs in acting and dramatic writing.
The University of California at Berkeley is a prestigious school for computer science majors. Berkeley keeps in mind the several avenues a computer science major can take, like web development, software engineering, consulting, computer graphics, etc. For students most interested in research, it’s possible to eventually become a researcher or professor for the college or another accredited school. Berkeley requires a 3.3 GPA in related computer science prerequisites before being accepted into the program. Out of state tuition costs around $44,000, and in-state tuition costs around $15,000 per year.
Vanderbilt University has been rated the best school in the country for education majors. This college values the necessity of collaboration with others. Students who learn to interact in a classroom environment are more likely to transition well into a teacher role down the line. The school of education, also known as Peabody, recognizes alumni in every state of the U.S. who went on to become prominent teachers. The average cost of tuition at this school is $27,500 per year, but this may vary depending on your circumstances.
If you’re already set on what you want to major in, you’re already halfway through the stressful decision making process of college enrollment. There are countless colleges that will give you an enriching experience in the major you choose, so there’s no wrong choice. As you narrow your search options, be sure to look closely at the departments that will best cater to your area of interest and future goals.