Nearly 20 million students attend college across the United States. The best colleges in the US offer exceptional academic experiences and are often dedicated to research and discovery. Top colleges offer a range of undergraduate majors, master’s degrees, and doctoral programs. In this article, you will learn how college rankings work, the most common types of colleges, and which are the top universities in the USA. 

How Many Colleges are in the United States? 

As of the most recent academic year, there are approximately 3,542 degree-granting colleges and universities in the United States. (Source: NCES Condition of Education 2023)

This number includes:

• 2,267 four-year institutions
• 1,275 two-year institutions (community colleges)

This figure reflects schools that are eligible to award degrees and are actively enrolling undergraduate students. The number of colleges in the U.S. fluctuates annually due to institutional closures, mergers, and changes in accreditation status.

When including non-degree-granting institutions (such as vocational, trade, and certificate programs that are Title IV–eligible) the total number of U.S. postsecondary institutions rises to approximately 5,988 as of the 2022–23 academic year. (Source: NCES IPEDS Fall 2022–23 Collection)

Historical Comparison of the Number of Colleges in the US

For context, during the 2019–2020 school year, the NCES reported:

• 3,982 degree-granting institutions, broken down as:
  • 1,625 public colleges and universities
  • 1,660 private nonprofit institutions
  • 697 private for-profit institutions

These counts have since declined slightly, as the higher education landscape continues to evolve.

How are the Top Colleges in America Chosen? 

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students. 

Explore the Best Universities in the US with Appily! 

Below, you will find our list of the best universities and colleges. But are you wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? See your chances when you make an Appily account. You’ll also be able to get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.