Resources › For Students and Parents Top Middle Atlantic Colleges and Universities A list of 36 of Middle Atlantic's best colleges and universities Share Flipboard Email Print Creating Your College Wish List Introduction Understanding the Different Kinds of Colleges 15 Things to Consider When Choosing a School Faculty to Student Ratio What Is a Liberal Arts College? 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What Is a Reach School? What Is a Match School? What Is a Safety School? The Middle Atlantic Region. By Allen Grove Allen Grove Facebook Twitter College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 10, 2019 National Top Picks: Universities | Public Universities | Liberal Arts Colleges | Engineering | Business | Women's | Most Selective | More Top Picks 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. More Regions: New England | Southeast | Midwest | South Central | Mountain | West Coast 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 Barnard College from Broadway. Photo Credit: Allen Grove 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) Binghamton University. unforth / Flickr 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 Bucknell University. aurimasliutikas / Flickr 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 Carnegie Mellon University (top) and the Carnegie Museum and Library (bottom). Jimmy Lin / Flickr 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 The College of New Jersey. Iggynelix / Wikimedia Commons 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 Cooper Union. moacirpdsp / Flickr 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 Cornell University Sage Hall. Photo Credit: Allen Grove 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 Dickinson College. ravedelay / Flickr 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. 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 George Washington University. Alan Cordova / Flickr 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 Georgetown University. tvol / Flickr 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 Gettysburg College. fauxto digit / Flickr 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 Grove City College. nyello8 / Flickr 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 Hamilton College. EAWB / Flickr 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 Haverford College Path. edwinmalet / flickr 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 Johns Hopkins University. Laughidea / Wikimedia Commons 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 Lehigh University. conormac / Flickr 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 Muhlenberg College. JlsElsewhere / Wikimedia Commons 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 New York University Bobst Library. davidsilver / Flickr 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 Penn State University Football. nick knouse / Flickr 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 Princeton University. _Gene_ / Flickr 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 SUNY Geneseo. bdesham / Flickr 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 Swarthmore Parrish Hall. EAWB / flickr 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 University of Maryland. synaethesia / Flickr 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 University of Pennsylvania. rubberpaw / Flickr 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) University of Pittsburgh. shadysidelantern / Flickr 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 University of Rochester. daniel.green / Flickr 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 Vassar College. samuenzinger / Flickr 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 Villanova University. Lauren Murphy / Flickr 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) West Point. markjhandel / Flickr 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 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation 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 October 3, 2022). copy citation Watch Now: 10 Best Universities in the United States