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Ever wonder how much it costs to fund some of the best educational institutes in the world? You may be surprised to see how much investment goes into some of the best schools in the United States of America.
10. Northwestern University – 11.1 billion
Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University is one of the most successful universities in the domain of private research, raising more than $675 million in annual research funding.
It started with two faculty members and 10 students in 1855, growing to offer more than 100 undergraduate major and minor degrees on multiple campuses ranging from Chicago, Miami, Washington, San Francisco and even going all the way to Doha, Qatar.
In the domain of athletics, the Northwestern Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division I and they won a total of 23 NCAA Championships and 155 conference championships since 1995. Last but not least, Northwestern’s prestigious institute was home to actors Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Seth Meyers, and even George R.R Martin, known for his series of fantasy novels, Game of Thrones.
9. University of Michigan – 11.9 billion
This highly rated public university located in Ann Arbor, just 45 minutes away from Detroit, stands out for its tradition of excellence in biomedical science, engineering, medicine, and law. U of Michigan is known for its highly ranked graduate programs, including the Stephen M. Ross School of Business, College of Engineering, Law School, Medical School, and as well the infamous School of Dentistry and Taubman College for Architecture and Urban planning.
U of Michigan hosts the top graduate students, averaging to make a starting salary of $49,800 upon graduating. Admissions are competitive as UMich only accepts 27% of applicants, whose GPA begins at 3.82 out of 4.
8. Texas A&M University System - 13.5 billion
When you think of Texas, you can’t help but think of BBQ, live music, and scorching heat. While this is all very true, the Lone Star State is also known for its reputable educational institute.
The Texas A&M University is a public research university in College Station, Texas and is home to more than 64,000 students. Its student body is the largest in Texas and the second largest in the United States. A&M has a wide range of research with ongoing projects with organizations like NASA, the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.
It isn’t surprising, then, that this institution is so costly. In 2001, A&M was inducted as a member of the Association of American Universities. Texas A&M is also home to the tallest structure in College Station, Kyle Field football stadium.
7. University of Pennsylvania – 13.8 billion
UPenn was founded by none other than Benjamin Franklin, the well-known diplomat, author, inventor, and scientist, in 1740. This private university is known as one of the 8 ivy leagues housing over 21,000 students, 4500 being international.
UPenn educated graduates who won distinguished awards such as the MacArthur award, Medal of Science recipients, the Nobel Prize and the Pulitzer Prize. Constantly ranked as one of the best universities not only in the States but in the world, UPenn is most known for its school of medicine. Let’s not underestimate their business program, Wharton School, which is the first collegiate business school.
We can’t forget to mention that UPenn is one of the nine colonial colleges founded prior to the Declaration of Independence. When you think of Philadelphia, it’s not just cheesesteaks that come to mind, but consider visiting this beautiful institution (after your Philly cheese steak, of course!)
6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 16.5 billion
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, more commonly known as MIT, has played a great role in laboratory instruction in applied science and engineering. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the most luxurious institutions of higher learning in the world, with its European style adopted polytechnic university model and its numerous off-campus facilities such as the Lincoln Laboratory, the Bates Center and the Haystack Observatory, along with its affiliated laboratories known as the Broad and Whitehead Institutes.
Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and founded two days before the Civil war broke out in 1861, MIT extends more than a mile alongside the Charles River. This highly endowed university is responsible for creating the very first computer in 1928, which can be found at the MIT Museum.
5. Princeton University– 25.9 billion
Formerly known as College of New Jersey, Princeton University is the 4th oldest institution of higher education in the States and one of the 9 colonial colleges created before the American Revolution. Renamed as Princeton in 1896, this establishment has graduated many well-respected members of the U.S Congress and the U.S Cabinet, not to mention, eight Secretaries of State, three Secretaries of Defense, and three of the past five chairs of the Federal Reserve.
It’s no surprise that tuition and fees are at least $47,140 at this Ivy-league school. Its costly endowment is necessary for all of the highly ranked programs such as the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied science. We can’t forget about sports. Princeton is notable for its strong men’s and women's lacrosse teams. Some famous alum include President Wilson, model Brooke Shields, and Michelle Obama.
4. Stanford University– 26.5 billion
Located in none other than California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco and in proximity to Silicon Valley, Stanford University is another private research institution which offers a big range of organizations such as the Stanford Pre-Business Association, the Stanford Solar Car Project.
This private institution, founded by Leland and Jane Stanford is notorious for their “Big Game” against Cal, which is an annual football competition that offers the Stanford Axe trophy to the winner. Well-known for sports, Stanford is well worth almost 27 billion, and alumni have won 270 Olympic medals, 139 being gold!
3. Yale University – 29.4 billion
The infamous Yale University, located in New Haven in Connecticut, is known for its excellent drama and music programs. When you think about Yale, you gotta think about music. Home to the Yale Whiffenpoofs, a famous Acapella group. Forget everything you learned from Pitch Perfect. This singing group is no joke. Every year, only the most talented Yale students are hand-picked to be in this group. Founded in 1909, and known as the “Whiffs”, they are the oldest and best known collegiate a capella group, who began as a senior quartet and met at Mory’s Temple Bar for their weekly sessions.
Let’s also not forget about Yale’s secret societies which were home to none other than George W. Bush and John Kerry.
2. University of Texas System – 30.9 billion
UT System, located in none other than hot and beautiful Austin, is the largest of any public university in the States. Its 30.9-billion-dollar endowment is necessary to run the eight separate and distinct academic institutions. UT System is well known for its football excellence, the Texas Longhorn, which is the official mascot and logo and advertises various merchandise all over the world.
1. Harvard University– 38.3 billion
This prestigious institution is home to the top-ranked John F. Kennedy School of Government and has the largest endowment of any school in the world. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest high education institution in the world, with an SAT composite range of 1430 to 1600. Forget any library you’ve ever been to because nothing can measure up to Harvard’s 400-book library, left in 1638 by John Harvard, founder and Puritan minister. Harvard is by far, the most selective ivy-league school in the country.