Best Schools in the World 2023: Rankings, Tuition, Acceptance and Graduation Rates

If you are seeking an opportunity and recognition in your future. You should consider studying at one of the best schools in the world. This is because these schools provide world-class education and countless opportunities for students.

They are dedicated to teaching, learning, and researching. Additionally, they focus more on developing leaders who are making a global difference.

So, let’s discuss the 15 best schools in the world in this article. This is based on their rankings, tuition, acceptance, and graduation rates.

What are the benefits of studying at a top school?

We are going to start by discussing some reasons why you should study at one of the best schools in the world.

The best schools in the world offer you a world-class education and global opportunities. Moreover, they lay a very good foundation for both professional and personal development, as well as career advancement.
Studying in one of the best schools connects you to prominent people. Especially when it comes to getting good jobs or recommendations. You can use these connections for the rest of your life as well.
A common factor among the world’s best schools is their academic quality. They all have well-equipped facilities and resources. For example, a good laboratory, accommodation, and other facilities that make learning and schooling enjoyable.

A well-equipped individual will receive a certificate that is globally recognized. Normally, students who graduate from the best schools in the world are hired by the best companies around the world. Many companies come to schools to hire graduating students. As a result, attending any of these schools is guaranteed to land you a job without hassle.

In order to make the reading experience of this article more convenient, the article has been split up into multiple pages. At the end of each page, you will see a “next” button which will take you to the next page. Enjoy your reading!

#1. Harvard University

Harvard University is the first high institution of education established in the USA. It was founded in 1636 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Though the school maintains its original location at Cambridge, it still has some faculties in Boston. Where the medical students study.

• Rankings: #1 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $54,002 
• Acceptance rate:5%
• Graduation rate: 97%

Over the years, Harvard University has been ranking the top best schools in the world. The school offers quality education to students. However, it is a hub for international students. For example, it has about 20% of its student be international students.

As a matter of fact, Harvard University University is the dream school for most students who want to study Psychology, Social Sciences, Maths, Biology/Biological Science, and more.

#2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is named among the best colleges in the world. It was founded in the year 1861 and is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. As one of the best, MIT has 5 schools altogether to itself. Among the MIT 5 schools are:

• Architecture and planning
• Engineering
• Humanities, arts, and social sciences.
• Management
• Science

• Rankings: #2 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $53,818 
• Acceptance rate: 7%
• Graduation rate: 94%

The school has played a huge role in the development and maintenance of modern technology and science. And because of that, it has gained a good reputation over the years. Moreover, it has about 60% of its students studying at the graduate level.

In the school, the only language used in teaching students is the English language. And also, both undergraduate and graduate students of MIT are well rooted in research work. The school only provides accommodation for first-year students. They are the only set of students who are permitted to live in the university.

#3. Stanford University

 Stanford University was founded in 1885 in California, USA. Certainly, the school comprises seven schools. And only three of the schools offer both undergraduate and graduate studies in Engineering, Earth Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences. While the business, medical, education, and law schools offer only graduate courses.

• Rankings: #3 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $56,169
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Graduation rate: 94%

In addition to good facilities in the school, Stanford University guarantees accommodation to all freshmen who enroll in a 4 years undergraduate program. And because of that, 90% of the undergraduates live in the school. The school prepares students with skills to compete in the job market.

#4. University of California-Berkeley

The University of California — Berkeley is among the top 5 schools in the world. It is one of the oldest universities in the USA, founded in 1868 in the city of Berkeley, California, USA.

• Rankings: #6 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $14,226 (in-state); $43,980 (Out of state)
• Acceptance rate: 17%
• Graduation rate: 92%

Because the school is in the USA, so the official language of instruction is in English language. Like every other school, the school offers different degree programs that students can choose from. About 350 degrees of them. The school comprises 14 colleges and universities.

University of California, Berkeley offers students about 350-degree programs. And the major programs offered in Berkeley include Business Administration, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Psychology, Economics, and Political Science. Many graduate students live off-campus but they all have an option to live in the campus accommodation.

UC- Berkeley has about 15%, international students. Meanwhile, most of the students live in the school’s accommodation. Above all, the school has a lot of researchers and has a lot of discoveries. For instance, Berkeley Researchers discovered most of the periodic elements in the periodic table.

#5. University of Oxford

The University of Oxford is one of the best universities in the world. Oxford is the oldest University in English-speaking countries- the school has existed since 1096. It is located in the Northwest of London, United Kingdom. Because of the history of behind the school.

Rankings:

• #5 in Best Global Universities
• #1 in Best Global Universities in Europe
• #1 in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

• Tuition: $15,330 (In-state); $34,727 (Out of state)
• Acceptance rate: 17.5%,
• Graduation rate: 99.5%

Oxford is made up of one central university, with about 38 colleges and 6 permanent Halls. The school conducts research as means of study. However, this research is focused on the area of Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, and medical sciences. And over the years, the school has been ranking among the top best schools in the world.

#6. Columbia University

Columbia University is a top research university in the world. The school was formally called King’s College, founded in the year 1754. The school is located in New York City, United States.

It has three schools namely:

• The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science
• The School of General Studies
• Numerous graduate and professional schools.

• Rankings: #6 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $64,380 
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Graduation rate: 95%

Columbia University has been ranking high in the best schools in the world for years now. For example, its Business School, the law school, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons are highly ranked.

#7. California Institute of Technology

Previously, the school was known as Throop University, which was founded in 1891. But later in the year 1920, it received its present name. In fact, the school is just focused mainly on Science and Engineering. Meanwhile, the school was divided into 6 academic divisions.

• Tuition: $56,862 
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Graduation rate: 92%

many of these schools have ranked highly in undergraduate programs like their biology and biological engineering, engineering and applied science, chemistry and chemical engineering, applied science, humanities, and social sciences, physics, mathematics, and astronomy.

In Caltech, about 80% of graduate students always take part in the research programs before they graduate. The school has about 50 research institutes and centers. On the campus, they give the newly admitted students accommodation with wonderful facilities.

#8.University of Washington

The University of Washington is one of the prestigious universities in the world founded in the year 1861. It is in one of the largest cities (Seattle) in Washington, USA.

• Rankings: #8 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $12,092 (In-state); $39,461 (out of state)
• Acceptance rate: 52%
• Graduation rate: 84%

There are about 370+ graduate programs offered in Washington with English as the language of instruction. The tuition fee is higher for non-Washington state residents and accommodations are available for graduates and undergraduate students.

The University of Washington is ranked higher in graduate schools, including the college of education, the school of nursing, and the school of medicine.

#9. University of Cambridge

The school was traced down to 1209, located in London, and has about 19,000 students, with 30% of them studying at the graduate level.

The University of Cambridge is divided into six schools:

• Arts and humanities
• Biological sciences
• Clinical medicine
• Humanities and social sciences
• Physical sciences
•  Technology

Rankings:

• #9in Best Global Universities
• #2 in Best Global Universities in Europe
• #2 in Best Global Universities in the United Kingdom

• Tuition: $16,266
• Acceptance rate: 21%
• Graduation rate: 98.8%

Cambridge contains about 31 residential colleges which are in charge of admitting undergraduate and graduate students. The school has three semesters (terms) with the English language as its instruction language. The three terms are:

• Michaelmas (fall),
• Lent (winter) and 
• Easter (spring)

The tuition fee for non-EU students is higher than the tuition fee for EU students. Cambridge University has about 100+ libraries including the college and universities libraries.

#10. Johns Hopkins University

This is a private institute in Columbia, USA that was founded in 1876. The main campus where undergraduate courses are offered is located in north Baltimore and is called the Homewood Campus. 

• Rankings: #10 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $57,010
• Acceptance rate: 10%
• Graduation rate: 93%

The school has so many of its schools located in and around Baltimore with some in the district of Columbia and also in China and in Italy. The university schools follow a semester-based academic calendar and its instruction language is the English language.

The school provides accommodation for undergraduate students for the first two years of study. But the graduate students are not allowed to live in the school accommodation. 

Johns Hopkins University has 9 academic divisions that offer studies in

•  Art and sciences
• Public health
• Music
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Engineering
• Business
• Education
• International studies.

#11. Princeton University

Princeton University is one of the oldest universities founded in the USA in 1746 and is located in the town of Princeton in New York City. Its original name was the College of New Jersey but was changed to Princeton University in the year 1896.

• Ranking: #11 in Best Global Universities (tie)
• Tuition: $59,890
• Acceptance rate: 6%
• Graduation rate: 97%

About 8,000 students attend the school and two-third of the student are undergraduates. The school provides accommodation for undergraduates for four years and also the graduate students have access to accommodation too.

The primary language of instruction is English Language. The research studies at Princeton school are conducted across four areas of study:

• Engineering and applied sciences
• Humanities
• Natural sciences
• Social sciences

#12. Yale University

Both Yale University and Princeton University ranked the 11th best schools in the world according to the US News Global School Ranking

• Ranking: #11 in Best Global Universities 
• Tuition: $57,700
• Acceptance Rate: 6%
• Graduation Rate: 97%

Yale University is located in New Haven, Connecticut, on the north side of New York City. The school was founded in 1701, making it one of the oldest universities in the USA. About 45% of students at Yale University study are graduate students. 20% of the overall students at Yale are International students from about 110 countries in the world.

There are accommodations for underrated and around 85% of them are living on the school campus. At Yale University, English is the primary language of instruction. The popular major at Yale is Political Science, History, and Economics.

#13. University of California–Los Angeles

The University of California, Los Angeles, popularly known as UCLA, is the most applied school located in Los Angeles, California USA. About 70% of the enrolled students studying at the undergraduate level and 12% are graduate students. Also, more than 20% of the students are international students.

• Rankings: #13 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $13,226 (In-state); $ 42, 980
• Acceptance Rate: 12%
• Graduation Rate: 91%

The most popular majors for undergraduate students are Business, Economics, Biology, and Political science.

At UCLA undergraduates can help faculty with research work – and earn extra academic credit to themselves by involving and participating in the Student Research Programs. 

#14. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania which was founded in 1740 is located in West Philadelphia. The school has about 19% of international students studying in the school. Also about half of them study at the graduate level.

• Rankings: #14 in Best Global Universities
• Tuition: $60, 042
• Acceptance Rate: 8%
• Graduation Rate: 96%

From statistics, about 40% of the students are from Asia, 15% from Canada and Mexico, and 20% from Europe. The school is made up of 12 schools all together with just four of the schools offering graduates programs.

#15.University of California–San Francisco

The University is a health science-focused institution that was founded in 1864. The only program offered at the school is graduate programs with three campuses; Mount Zion, Mission Bay, and Parnassus campuses.  But just Parnassus and Mission Bay have campuses for students.

• Ranking: #15 in Best Global Universities (tie)
• Tuition: $36,342 (In-state); $48, 587(out of state)
• Acceptance rate: 4%
• Graduation rate: 72%

Tuition fees for non-California residents are higher compared to California residents. It has four professional schools; Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Dentistry. It also has a graduate school division that offers master’s and doctoral degrees, two therapy programs, and certificate programs.

Bottom Line

Students all over the world can use these rankings to explore higher education options. If you can truly afford any of these top universities in the world, don’t hesitate to enroll so as to enjoy the benefits that follow. But if you can’t make sure you give it your best wherever you are studying.