Most well-rounded colleges in America

Average rank: 158.5

Student life rank: #69 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #377 (Grade: A-)

Academics rank: #230 (Grade: A-)

Diversity rank: #92 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #47 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #136 (Grade: A)

This public university in Tempe, Arizona, has a reputation for being a party school, but that distinction appears to be fading over time. ASU still boasts a highly engaged student body—and a large one, at 103,410 students in 2017—but it’s less focused on the parties and more on the school’s athletic programs.  

Average rank: 152.5

Student life rank: #79 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #101 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #106 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #129 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #13 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #487 (Grade: B)

Alumni of the University of Maryland might be some of the most loyal fans out there, rooting for their beloved Diamondback terrapins every chance they get. The school is known for its football team, which often ranks among the best in the Big Ten, and its prestigious academics.

Average rank: 142.8

Student life rank: #25 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #7 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #21 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #763 (Grade: A-)

Athletics rank: #22 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #19 (Grade: A+)

This Catholic research university located near South Bend, Indiana, is also a big football school. Every Saturday during football season, students and alumni turn out in droves to support the Fighting Irish. A massive mural of Jesus on the south side of a library tower even came to be called Touchdown Jesus, since you can see Jesus peeking over the side of the football stadium.

Average rank: 142.5

Student life rank: #2 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #84 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #94 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #622 (Grade: A-)

Athletics rank: #28 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #25 (Grade: A+)

More than 43,000 students attend the University of Wisconsin every year, and they quickly pick up on the university’s quirky traditions. Wisconsin’s marching band is famous for its Fifth Quarter, a raucous celebration that occurs after every football game, while students who call themselves 'Hoofers' often ski across campus during the frigid winters.

Average rank: 139.8

Student life rank: #122 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #121 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #134 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #144 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #204 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #114 (Grade: A)

UC Davis gets its free spirited bent from the town of Davis itself: This Bohemian community famously built "toad tunnels" decorated with tiny houses and bars so amphibians could cross a nearby overpass. UC Davis students can choose unusual majors like sustainable agriculture and food systems, viticulture and enology, and wildlife, fish and conservation biology.

Average rank: 139.7

Student life rank: #22 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #200 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #180 (Grade: A-)

Diversity rank: #378 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #34 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #24 (Grade: A+)

A whopping 114,000 students were enrolled in Indiana University as of fall 2015, 72% of which were Indiana residents. Located in the college town of Bloomington, or B-town, IU is known for both its thriving cultural scene and athletic prowess.

Average rank: 138.7

Student life rank: #56 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #313 (Grade: A-)

Academics rank: #177 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #213 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #6 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #67 (Grade: A)

University of Oklahoma cracked the U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of the top 50 public colleges for the first time ever in 2018, but it has always been well-known locally. The family atmosphere on campus and affordable price tag make it quite popular.  

Average rank: 136.3

Student life rank: #70 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #154 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #74 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #40 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #150 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #330 (Grade: B+)

This private university is located smack dab in the middle of Boston, so it doesn’t have as large of a campus as many of the other universities on this list. Still, BU is one of the largest independent universities in the country, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 18,000 students.

Average rank: 135.7

Student life rank: #27 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #172 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #204 (Grade: A-)

Diversity rank: #283 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #37 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #91 (Grade: A)

Though the Midwest might not seem like a hub of the arts, the University of Iowa actually boasts the top-rated creative writing program in the country. The surrounding college town of Iowa City also makes it a lovely place to live for a few years. Fun fact: It’s one of only two UNESCO Cities of Literature in the United States.

Average rank: 131.5

Student life rank: #112 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #26 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #14 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #155 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #171 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #311 (Grade: B+)

Founded in 1769, this Ivy League institution is renowned for its liberal arts programs. Just 4,400 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students attend this selective university every year.

Average rank: 130.8

Student life rank: #80 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #74 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #109 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #266 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #69 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #187 (Grade: A-)

Named after the local businessman who donated land and money to establish the school, Purdue University routinely ranks in the top 100 colleges nationwide. It’s also home to three of the world’s top supercomputers and the alma mater of 23 NASA astronauts.   

Average rank: 129

Student life rank: #21 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #133 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #110 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #168 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #301 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #41 (Grade: A)

This California public school has a rather unusual mascot: Olé the gaucho, a masked man who often stomps around campus sports games. UCSB also has a reputation as a party school—the annual Halloween celebrations are particularly infamous.

Average rank: 127.7

Student life rank: #67 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #12 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #57 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #122 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #66 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #442 (Grade: B+)

Some 25,000 students attend Georgia Tech for its world-class education in technology and the sciences. Tucked in the heart of Atlanta, the campus is a good fit for students who want a bustling urban experience.

Average rank: 126.3

Student life rank: #8 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #49 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #127 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #531 (Grade: A-)

Athletics rank: #40 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #3 (Grade: A+)

This rural Blacksburg, Virginia, university dates back to 1872. With more than 100 undergraduate degree programs, a thriving Greek system, and 600 student organizations, there is plenty for Hokies to do on campus.

Average rank: 126.2

Student life rank: #10 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #208 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #122 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #355 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #23 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #39 (Grade: A)

Best known for its football program, Penn State in State College, Pennsylvania, boasts a massive population of about 46,000 undergraduates. The Nittany Lions have plenty of unique traditions, such as camping out in the tent city called Nittanyville for first pick of student section football tickets and whiting out the stadium for big home games.  

Average rank: 125.7

Student life rank: #30 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #53 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #20 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #201 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #445 (Grade: B)

Campus rank: #5 (Grade: A+)

What this private university in Brunswick, Maine, lacks in athletics, it makes up for in academics and other student activities. Alumni of this prestigious liberal arts school include poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who penned "Paul Revere's Ride," and Reed Hastings—the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Netflix.

Average rank: 123.5

Student life rank: #136 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #70 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #26 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #173 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #257 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #79 (Grade: A)

This private institution in rural Vermont boasts some unusual student activities, such as a muggle Quidditch team and the oldest winter carnival in the country. Middlebury also hosts the annual Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, which is one of the oldest and best known.  

Average rank: 117.5

Student life rank: #34 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #142 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #96 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #290 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #46 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #97 (Grade: A)

The University of Minnesota technically sits across two cities: Minneapolis and St. Paul. Freshman can choose between on-campus dorms and “living learning communities” with themes like La Casa de Espanol and the Healthy Foods, Healthy Lives house.

Average rank: 115.5

Student life rank: #111 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #20 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #19 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #47 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #336 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #160 (Grade: A-)

Though Cornell University is one of the most prestigious in the country—it ranked #16 in the U.S. News and World Report’s annual list—the location in rural Ithaca, New York, is a bit of a challenge for many students. Still, the school’s thriving Greek system and more than 1,000 student organizations provide plenty of options for underclassmen.

Average rank: 113.5

Student life rank: #18 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #80 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #52 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #450 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #3 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #78 (Grade: A)

The college town of Chapel Hill can be credited for UNC's top ranking: It's often rated one of the best in the country for its restaurants, shops, and culture. Students love to cheer on the Tarheels men's basketball team, which has a storied history and fierce rivalry with Duke University.

Average rank: 111.7

Student life rank: #114 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #59 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #62 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #224 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #96 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #115 (Grade: A)

Located in the Virginia state capital, the University of Richmond is a private institution with an enrollment of just over 3,000 students. About one-third of those students are involved in Greek life.

Average rank: 109.5

Student life rank: #14 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #248 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #107 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #252 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #7 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #29 (Grade: A+)

Best known for its top-tier football team, Ohio State University is a big sports school. In addition to cheering on the Buckeyes, students can choose between 1,000 on-campus activities including 65 fraternities and sororities.

Average rank: 107.6

Student life rank: #74 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #175 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #54 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #11 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #null (Grade: C+)

Campus rank: #224 (Grade: A-)

Located right in the middle of downtown Manhattan, New York University doesn’t exactly boast a traditional campus. Instead, students have the whole of New York City in their backyards. NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, which offers programs of study in acting, dance, dramatic writing, film, and more, is perhaps its most prestigious school.

Average rank: 107.3

Student life rank: #35 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #27 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #9 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #29 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #370 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #174 (Grade: A-)

Students must live on campus for their first six semesters at this Ivy League school in picturesque Providence, Rhode Island. Brown has a few fascinating traditions, including the ceremonial opening of the Van Wickle Gates just twice a year for convocation and commencement.  

Average rank: 104.2

Student life rank: #13 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #99 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #83 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #306 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #1 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #123 (Grade: A)

More than 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the University of Florida every year, filling the college town of Gainesville with plenty of activity. The school's mascots are Albert and Alberta the alligators, and the stadium where the Gator football team competes is often referred to as the Swamp.

Average rank: 103.2

Student life rank: #23 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #161 (Grade: A)

Academics rank: #144 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #250 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #10 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #31 (Grade: A+)

Located in suburban East Lansing, Michigan State University offers plenty of activities for students, from a solar car racing team to 60 fraternities and sororities to a student-run organic farm.

Average rank: 99.7

Student life rank: #24 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #9 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #10 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #65 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #362 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #128 (Grade: A)

Benjamin Franklin himself founded this Ivy League university in Philadelphia in 1740. The university has 12 schools, seven of which only offer graduate studies. The Wharton School of Business and Law School are among the most exclusive.

Average rank: 98.5

Student life rank: #11 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #41 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #46 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #370 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #38 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #85 (Grade: A)

Another founding father (Thomas Jefferson) created this public university in Charlottesville, Virginia. Though the official mascot of University of Virginia is the Cavaliers, many students and alumni call them the Wahoos or the Hoos.

Average rank: 94.5

Student life rank: #9 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #42 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #18 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #237 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #260 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #1 (Grade: A+)

Just under 8,000 undergraduates attend Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, every year. Wash U also boasts well-known graduate programs like the George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Olin Business School, and Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts, in addition to the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, which holds one of the most impressive university art collections in the world.

Average rank: 89.3

Student life rank: #85 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #67 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #23 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #4 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #115 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #242 (Grade: A-)

Amherst College hosts one of the smallest student bodies on this list with an annual enrollment of just 1,836. This rural school has a rigorous academic program and is a member of the Five Colleges consortium.

Average rank: 88.5

Student life rank: #40 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #102 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #63 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #37 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #201 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #88 (Grade: A)

Instead of the traditional lecture hall learning environment, Northeastern University emphasizes work experience. More than 90% of Northeastern students complete one or more professional “co-ops,” where they gain work experience through internships at companies like ESPN, Credit Suisse, and Procter & Gamble.

Average rank: 87.7

Student life rank: #44 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #57 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #37 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #52 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #55 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #281 (Grade: B+)

Also known as Cal, this California state university in Berkeley, California, has impressive academics, athletics, and student organizations. The Daily Californian student newspaper is one of the best on the West Coast while the campus itself is a well-known hub for aspiring activists.

Average rank: 87

Student life rank: #113 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #47 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #5 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #26 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #null (Grade: B-)

Campus rank: #244 (Grade: A-)

Like many colleges, the University of Chicago requires freshmen to live on campus. However, this university in Hyde Park, Illinois, puts a unique twist on the living situation by placing students within communities called houses to offer further academic and social support.

Average rank: 85.7

Student life rank: #28 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #33 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #8 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #9 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #384 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #52 (Grade: A)

While Columbia University only has three undergraduate schools, its graduate offerings are much more robust. The Business School, Teachers College, Graduate School of Journalism, and Law School are all well regarded.

Average rank: 83.2

Student life rank: #94 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #10 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #6 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #28 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #180 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #181 (Grade: A-)

This small private school in New Jersey often takes first place in the U.S. News and World Report's annual college rankings. Princeton has enviable academics and athletics, a host of famous alumni, and a gorgeous suburban campus.   

Average rank: 82.7

Student life rank: #17 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #72 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #93 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #117 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #75 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #122 (Grade: A)

Almost a quarter of the student body at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign go Greek, making the university’s Greek system one of the largest in the country. With 15 schools of study and a high level of research, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign would also be an excellent choice for graduate students.

Average rank: 70.7

Student life rank: #5 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #86 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #78 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #177 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #12 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #66 (Grade: A)

With an undergraduate enrollment of more than 40,000 students, UT Austin is one of the largest universities in the nation. The Longhorns are fierce competitors in the Big 12 conference.

Average rank: 64.6

Student life rank: #101 (Grade: A)

Value rank: #91 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #30 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #14 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #null (Grade: B-)

Campus rank: #87 (Grade: A)

Set in downtown Atlanta, this private university has a total of nine schools and colleges for both graduates and undergraduates. Only first- and second-year students are required to live on campus, but most students still choose to stay on campus for the duration of their studies.

Average rank: 63.5

Student life rank: #45 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #37 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #12 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #97 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #70 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #120 (Grade: A)

This private university in Chicago is perhaps best known for its graduate studies at the Medill School of Journalism and the Kellogg School of Management, but it also has a thriving undergraduate population of 8,278 students. Hundreds of on-campus organizations offer plenty for students to do outside of the classroom.  

Average rank: 60

Student life rank: #50 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #105 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #98 (Grade: A)

Diversity rank: #13 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #39 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #55 (Grade: A)

Founded in 1861, the University of Washington in Seattle is one of the oldest colleges on the West Coast. This top-tier research institution hosts an annual undergraduate research symposium where members of the 31,000-strong student body can present their work to their peers.

Average rank: 57.5

Student life rank: #16 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #3 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #3 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #46 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #219 (Grade: B+)

Campus rank: #58 (Grade: A)

Nestled in quaint Cambridge, Massachusetts, just outside of Boston, this private university is one of the most prestigious in the country, if not the world. Most programs of study at Harvard are highly regarded, and the university’s extensive library system is both the oldest collection in the U.S. and the largest private collection in the world.

Average rank: 53.7

Student life rank: #38 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #36 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #15 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #124 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #58 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #51 (Grade: A)

Vanderbilt’s location in Nashville makes it attractive to prospective students: Music City holds every kind of food, music, art, and culture that one could want. Fraternities and sororities are a big part of the social life at Vanderbilt, with about 40% of the student body involved in Greek life.

Average rank: 52.8

Student life rank: #51 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #4 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #11 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #166 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #8 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #77 (Grade: A)

Although Duke University is one of the top 10 most prestigious colleges in the country, athletics almost overshadow academics in campus life. Duke’s Blue Devils are best known for their men’s basketball program, but the university also competes in 17 additional sports.

Average rank: 48.2

Student life rank: #1 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #52 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #34 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #169 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #24 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #9 (Grade: A+)

University of Michigan’s setting in adorable Ann Arbor makes it attractive to both prospective students and their parents. Competitive athletic programs, top-notch schools, and a bustling student body make Michigan a perennially popular choice.  

Average rank: 38.7

Student life rank: #4 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #98 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #49 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #54 (Grade: A)

Athletics rank: #25 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #2 (Grade: A+)

Known for its excellent academic programs for both undergraduates and graduate students, UCLA is especially popular with those studying science, math, technology, and business. Its location in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles is almost like a college town, too.

Average rank: 38

Student life rank: #15 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #5 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #4 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #20 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #156 (Grade: A-)

Campus rank: #28 (Grade: A+)

As the most well-rounded Ivy League college on this list, Yale University has plenty to brag about. Students who gain admission into this selective university are assigned to live in one of 14 residential colleges and have the option in participating in famous organizations like the Whiffenpoofs a cappella group and the Yale Dramatic Association.

Average rank: 37.5

Student life rank: #39 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #11 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #16 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #30 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #108 (Grade: A)

Campus rank: #21 (Grade: A+)

Just 4,000 students attend this university in Houston, Texas, every year. In addition to all the dining options in the nation’s fourth-largest city, Rice University itself has student-run establishments like the Rice Coffeehouse and Valhalla Pub. Students also receive free tickets to all varsity sporting events.

Average rank: 28.6

Student life rank: #52 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #63 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #13 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #1 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #null (Grade: B-)

Campus rank: #14 (Grade: A+)

This tiny Southern California school offers a nontraditional college experience. More than 97% of students live in on-campus housing for all four years, and students have a stronger-than-usual connection to faculty thanks to the 8 to 1 student to faculty ratio. Popular activities include the secret society called Mulfi and Ski-Beach Day, where students ski a nearby mountain in the morning and spend the afternoon at a local beach.

Average rank: 23.7

Student life rank: #7 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #62 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #25 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #24 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #11 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #13 (Grade: A+)

A legendary football program, incredible academic variety, and highly engaged student body make the University of Southern California a top choice for many students. USC’s gorgeous red brick campus has also been the setting of dozens of movies, from “Legally Blonde” to “Forrest Gump.”

Average rank: 11.2

Student life rank: #12 (Grade: A+)

Value rank: #2 (Grade: A+)

Academics rank: #2 (Grade: A+)

Diversity rank: #10 (Grade: A+)

Athletics rank: #29 (Grade: A+)

Campus rank: #12 (Grade: A+)

Its beautiful campus, world renowned academic programs, and competitive athletics win Stanford University the top spot on this list of the most well-rounded colleges in America. The school only admits about 5% of applicants, however, so it's extremely difficult to win a spot on campus.