Many of the world’s best colleges and universities are located across the United States. These fine academic institutions, scattered from Boston to California, offer students challenging coursework, renowned professors, beautiful campuses, and lively learning environments.

Here are the 10 best colleges and universities, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Princeton University

Founded in 1746, Princeton is one of nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and James Madison both attended, as did former First Lady Michelle Obama. Among its most acclaimed departments are the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and School of Engineering and Applied Science. The private university, located in a quiet New Jersey town, is famous for its eating clubs, which serve as social and dining organizations for students.

Harvard University

Perhaps the most famous university in the world, Harvard was founded in 1636, making it the oldest institution of higher learning in the country. Many of its departments are highly rated, including the top-ranked medical school and business school. The library on the Cambridge, Massachusetts campus houses the oldest collection in the U.S. and the largest private collection in the world. Harvard’s alumni include eight U.S. presidents, more than 30 foreign heads of state, and 62 living billionaires.

Columbia University

Located in New York City, Columbia provides a fast-paced, urban setting for its students. It was founded in 1754 (and originally named King’s College). The engineering department is highly rated, and many notable scientific achievements have gotten their start at Columbia, including the initial research for the Manhattan Project during World War II. The university’s journalism school has contributed to New York City’s status as media capital of the world and also hands out Pulitzer Prizes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Boston-based university focuses on scientific and technological research and stresses lab work in engineering and applied sciences. Other top departments include biology, economics, and linguistics. Among its notable alumni are 93 Nobel laureates and 25 Turing Award winners. MIT is also home to the famous dorm nicknamed “The Sponge,” which was designed by architect Steven Holl.

University of Chicago

The private research university, located in the urban environment of the Windy City, has top professional schools in law, business, and medicine. Its scholars have been instrumental in developing the fields of sociology, literary criticism, and political science. The university boasts one of the highest concentrations of Nobel laureates in the world and will house the Barack Obama President Center once construction is completed in 2021.

Yale University

Founded in 1701, Yale is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Thanks to its renowned art, drama and music departments, the university counts actress Meryl Streep, author Sinclair Lewis, and composer Cole Porter among its alumni. Also calling themselves Yale Bulldogs are five presidents and 19 Supreme Court justices. The school also is home to the famous a capella group the Yale Whiffenpoofs and the infamous secret society Skull and Bones.

Stanford University

Also known as “The Farm,” Stanford is located in California's Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. Thanks to its proximity to Silicon Valley, the university is noted for fostering entrepreneurship and future technology start-ups. Top-ranked departments include engineering, environmental science, and drama. Students also have access to a robust athletics program.

Duke University

Located in the quiet town of Durham, North Carolina, the university was named for its benefactor, the tobacco and electric power industrialist James Buchanan Duke. The main campus is famed for its Gothic architecture, with the Duke Chapel at the center. Engineering, medicine, and law are among the highly-rated graduate schools. Students flock to watch the outstanding men’s basketball program, one of the all-time best.

University of Pennsylvania

Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the Philadelphia-based university offers highly rated programs in business, education, law, and design. Although secular, the school also has a strong religious life. Other notable student organizations include the Penn Debate Society, International Affairs Association, and the marching band, which was the first college band to play at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Johns Hopkins University

The first academic institution to adopt the European concept of combining research and teaching, Johns Hopkins is considered the country’s first true research university. In addition to its world-renowned School of Medicine, top departments include education, engineering, and music and dance. Students on the Baltimore campus enjoy a thriving Greek social scene and the popular annual tradition of the Spring Fair.