Considering that the United States was born from a revolution waged along the Eastern Seaboard, it makes sense that the roots of the country's higher education system were also planted there. Harvard University—founded in 1636—came first, predating the Declaration of Independence by 140 years.
In the following decades, more colleges opened along the East Coast, but they weren't picky about who could attend. If a student lived nearby and could afford it, they enrolled. Prestige developed in the late 1800s when Cornell University and Johns Hopkins University opened as institutions that fostered top-tier research. In response, other established universities developed their own programs to draw in top talent.
As more people went to college, these research universities needed a way to ensure they had the top students. The selective admissions process began at Columbia in 1919, establishing the process that high school students undergo today in the hope of gaining admission to a top school.
The East Coast's private and public colleges consistently top "best of" lists, highlighted by the prestigious Ivy League eight. High school hopefuls eager to attend one of those schools could stand a better chance these days. Many Ivy League schools admitted a higher percentage of applicants in 2025.
While gaining admission to an East Coast school in the North may become easier, top colleges in the South have become more selective, as more high school seniors seek out more affordable top universities in warmer climates that offer strong school spirit, good weather, and are often associated with better job prospects after graduation.
Stacker combed through Niche's 2026 Best Colleges in America list to discover which 30 East Coast schools, old and new, are the cream of the crop. Niche ranks colleges by analyzing student and alumni reviews, as well as data on admissions, academic, and student life from the Department of Education. Four-year colleges in the following states were considered: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Keep reading to discover the best schools on the East Coast—and find out if any among them beat out the Ivies for the top spot.
