Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities

The Middle Atlantic region of the United States has some of the best colleges and universities in the world. This list of the top 36 Middle Atlantic colleges includes four Ivy League universities and some of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. The top picks range from schools with over 40,000 students to tiny Cooper Union with fewer than 1,000. Schools on the list include private and public institutions, urban and rural schools, and religious and secular institutions. The 36 colleges and universities below were chosen based on a range of factors, but most important was student persistence and success: retention rates and 4- and 6-year graduation rates. Also considered were student engagement, selectivity, and financial aid. I have listed the schools alphabetically to avoid the often arbitrary distinctions that separate #1 from #2, and because of the futility of comparing a large research university to a small liberal arts college. Note that I did not include highly specialized schools such as Julliard that have audition or portfolio admissions.

The 35 colleges and universities in the list below were selected from the Middle Atlantic region: Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Annapolis (United States Naval Academy)

Annapolis - USNA. Rory Finneren / Flickr

Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Enrollment: 4,528 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: miltary academy
Distinctions: one of the most selective colleges in the country; no costs (but 5-year service requirement); strong engineering programs; competes in the NCAA Division I Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the Annapolis profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Annapolis

Barnard College

Location: Manhattan, New York
Enrollment: 2,510 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private women's liberal arts college
Explore the Campus: Barnard College photo tour
Distinctions: the most selective of all women's colleges; affiliation with adjacent Columbia University; one of the original "seven sister" colleges; lots of cultural and educational opportunities in Manhattan
For more information and admissions data, visit the Barnard College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Barnard

Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton)

Location: Vestal, New York
Enrollment: 17,292 (13,632 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public research university
Distinctions: highly ranked public university; 887-acre campus features a 190-acre nature preserve; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; NCAA Division I athletics in the America East Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Binghamton University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Binghamton

Bucknell University

Location: Lewisburg, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 3,626 (3,571 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: small comprehensive university
Distinctions: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; feel of a small liberal arts college with academic offerings of a comprehensive university; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; participation in the NCAA Division I Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the Bucknell University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Bucknell

Carnegie Mellon University

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 13,258 (6,283 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; top-ranked science and engineering programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the American Association of Universities for strengths in research
For more information and admissions data, visit the Carnegie Mellon University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Carnegie Mellon

Colgate University

James B. Colgate Hall. bronayur / Flickr

Location: Hamilton, New York
Enrollment: 2,890 (2,882 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: high ranking liberal arts college; picturesque location; high graduation rate; high percentage of students go on to graduate school; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; NCAA Division I athletics in the Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the Colgate University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Colgate

The College of New Jersey

Location: Ewing, New Jersey
Enrollment: 7,396 (6,787 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public liberal arts college
Distinctions: one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the country; easy train access to Philadelphia and New York City; over 50 degree programs; high retention and graduation rates; excellent value
For more information and admissions data, visit the College of New Jersey profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for TCNJ

Columbia University

Location: Manhattan, New York
Enrollment: 29,372 (8,124 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: member of the Ivy League; extremely selective admissions, member of the Association of American Universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; lots of cultural and educational opportunities in Manhattan
For more information and admissions data, visit the Columbia University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Columbia

Cooper Union

Location: Manhattan, New York
Enrollment: 964 (876 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: small engineering and art school
Distinctions: specialized curriculum in engineering and art; historic building where Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech on limiting enslavement; Manhattan location provides students with many cultural and educational opportunities; highly ranked engineering program; free tuition for all students
For more information and admissions data, visit the Cooper Union profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Cooper Union

Cornell University

Location: Ithaca, New York
Enrollment: 22,319 (14,566 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: member of the Ivy League; member of the Association of American Universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; beautiful Finger Lakes location; highly ranked programs in engineering and hotel management
Explore Campus: Cornell University photo tour
For more information and admissions data, visit the Cornell University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Cornell

Dickinson College

Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,420 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 17; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; chartered in 1783 and named after a signer of the Constitution; member of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Dickinson College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Dickinson

Franklin & Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall University, F&M — Franklin & Marshall University. haydnseek / Flickr

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,255 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 19 students; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; hands-on approach to learning; rich history dating to 1787; member of the NCAA Division III Centennial Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Franklin & Marshall College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for F&M

George Washington University

Location: Washington, D.C.
Enrollment: 27,159 (11,504 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: strong international programs; 13 to 1 student / faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; located near the White House with graduation held on the National Mall; member of the NCAA Division I Atlantic 10 Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the George Washington University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for George Washington

Georgetown University

Location: Washington, D.C.
Enrollment: 18,525 (7,453 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private Catholic university
Distinctions: 10 to 1 student / faculty ratio; one of the country's best universities; large international student population; strong study abroad programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Big East Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Georgetown University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Georgetown

Gettysburg College

Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,394 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Explore the Campus: Gettysburg College Photo Tour
Distinctions: 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio and average class size of 18; historic location; ; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; new athletic center; music conservatory and professional performing arts center
For more information and admissions data, visit the Gettysburg College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Gettysburg

Grove City College

Location: Grove City, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,336 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private Christian liberal arts college
Distinctions: one of the country's top conservative colleges; excellent value; 16 to 1 student / faculty ratio; impressive retention and graduation rates; chapel requirement for all students
For more information and admissions data, visit the Grove City College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for GCC

Hamilton College

Location: Clinton, New York
Enrollment: 1,883 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: highly ranked liberal arts college; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; emphasis on individualized instruction and independent research; picturesque location in upstate, New York
For more information and admissions data, visit the Hamilton College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Hamilton

Haverford College

Location: Haverford, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 1,268 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 8 to 1 student / faculty ratio; one of the country's top liberal arts colleges; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; opportunities to take classes at Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, and the University of Pennsylvania
For more information and admissions data, visit the Haverford College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Haverford

Johns Hopkins University

Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Enrollment: 23,917 (6,042 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: 10:1 student / faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the AAU for strong research programs; multi-billion dollar endowment; one of the country's top universities
For more information and admissions data, visit the Johns Hopkins University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Johns Hopkins

Lafayette College

Easton, Pennsylvania. Retromoderns / Flickr

Location: Easton, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,550 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; excellent value; several engineering programs as well as traditional liberal arts and sciences; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the Lafayette College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Lafayette

Lehigh University

Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 7,059 (5,080 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; strong engineering and applied science programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; althetic teams participate in the NCAA Division I Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the Lehigh University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Lehigh

Muhlenberg College

Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 2,408 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college with Lutheran affiliation
Distinctions: 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; strengths in several pre-professional areas as well as a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; high retention and graduation rates
For more information and admissions data, visit the Muhlenberg College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Muhlenberg

New York University

Location: Manhattan, New York
Enrollment: 50,550 (26,135 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: member of the Association of American Universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; located in Manhattan's Greenwich Village; 16 schools and centers with law, business, art, public service and education all placing high in national rankings
Admissions: NYU GPA and Test Score Graph
Explore the Campus: NYU Photo Tour
For more information and admissions data, visit the New York University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for NYU

Penn State University

Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 47,789 (41,359 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public research university
Distinctions: large school with wide-ranging academic offerings; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences, membership in the Association of American Universities for research strengths; athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Penn State University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Penn State

Princeton University

Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Enrollment: 8,181 (5,400 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Explore the Campus: Princeton University Photo Tour
Distinctions: member of the Ivy League; one of the top universities in the country; 5 to 1 student / faculty ratio; attractive 500-acre campus; membership in the Association of American Universities for research strengths; chapter of of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; excellent retention and graduation rates
For more information and admissions data, visit the Princeton University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Princeton

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)

RPI - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. DannoHung / Flickr

Location: Troy, New York
Enrollment: 7,363 (6,265 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: technology-focused private university
Distinctions: engineering school with a strong undergraduate focus; near the state capital in Albany; good financial aid; competitive Division I hockey team
For more information and admissions data, visit the RPI profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for RPI

St. Lawrence University

Saint Lawrence University - Richardson Hall. Photo Credit: Tara Freeman, SLU Photographer

Location: Canton, New York
Enrollment: 2,464 (2,377 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private master's-level university
Distinctions: 12 to 1 student / faculty ratio; chapter of of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; attractive campus located near the St. Lawrence river; long progressive and coeducational history; Division I hockey team
Explore the Campus: St. Lawrence Photo Tour
For more information and admissions data, visit the St. Lawrence University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for St. Lawrence

SUNY Geneseo

Location: Geneseo, New York
Enrollment: 5,602 (5,512 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public liberal arts college
Distinctions: good value for both in-state and out-of-state students; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; located on the western edge of the Finger Lakes region
For more information and admissions data, visit the SUNY Geneseo profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Geneseo

Swarthmore College

Location: Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 1,543 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 8 to 1 student / faculty ratio; one of the country's top liberal arts colleges; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; opportunities to take classes at neighboring Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and the University of Pennsylvania
For more information and admissions data, visit the Swarthmore College profile

University of Maryland

Location: College Park, Maryland
Enrollment: 39,083 (28,472 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public reseShippensburg University of arch university
Distinctions: one of the country's top public universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the AAU for strong research programs; member of the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Maryland profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Maryland

University of Pennsylvania

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 24,960 (11,716 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: member of the Ivy League; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; rich history (founded by Benjamin Franklin)
For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Pennsylvania profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Penn

University of Pittsburgh (Pitt)

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 28,664 (19,123 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: public research university
Distinctions: wide-ranging strengths including philosophy, medicine, engineering and business; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Pittsburgh profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Pitt

University of Rochester

Location: Rochester, New York
Enrollment: 11,209 (6,386 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private research university
Distinctions: member of the Association of American Universities for strong research; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; top-ranked programs in music and optics
For more information and admissions data, visit the University of Rochester profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for U of R

Vassar College

Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Enrollment: 2,424 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
Distinctions: 9 to 1 student / faculty ratio; average class size of 17; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; 1,000-acre campus includes over 100 buildings, picturesque gardens and a farm; located 75 miles from NYC in the Hudson Valley
For more information and admissions data, visit the Vassar College profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Vassar

Villanova University

Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
Enrollment: 10,842 (6,999 undergraduates)
Type of Institution: private Catholic university
Distinctions: oldest and largest Catholic university in Pennsylvania; one of the country's top Catholic universities; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; athletic teams compete in the NCAA Division I Big East Conference
For more information and admissions data, visit the Villanova University profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Villanova

West Point (United States Military Academy)

Location: West Point, New York
Enrollment: 4,389 (all undergraduate)
Type of Institution: military academy
Distinctions: one of the most selective colleges in the country; oldest of the service academies in the U.S.; free education (but 5 years of service required); member of the NCAA Division I Patriot League
For more information and admissions data, visit the West Point profile
GPA, SAT and ACT graph for West Point

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Grove, Allen. "Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities." ThoughtCo, Oct. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/top-middle-atlantic-colleges-and-universities-788280. Grove, Allen. (2020, October 29). Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/top-middle-atlantic-colleges-and-universities-788280 Grove, Allen. "Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/top-middle-atlantic-colleges-and-universities-788280 (accessed March 1, 2021).