863 Best Associate's Universities in the USA

Compare 4,893 programs at 863 universities in the USA — graduates, earnings, debt and costs from the federal record on every listing.

Programs 4,893 Universities 863 Scholarships 0

863 universities · ranked best first

how we rank

Washington University in St Louis

St. Louis, Missouri · Private University · Est. 1853

US #1 QS World #123 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $21,786/yr
Admission rate: 12%
Earnings (10yr): $86,182
Students: 7,857

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Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Brunswick, New Jersey · Public University · Est. 1766

US #6 QS World #217 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $24,406/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $74,479
Students: 37,751

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Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Blacksburg, Virginia · Public University · Est. 1872

US #10 QS World #291 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,953/yr
Admission rate: 55%
Earnings (10yr): $81,698
Students: 30,923

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University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1881

US #15 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $25,097/yr
Admission rate: 52%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 19,835

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Tulane University of Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana · Private University · Est. 1834

US #16 QS World #461 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $39,949/yr
Admission rate: 14%
Earnings (10yr): $63,268
Students: 7,767

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University of Delaware

Newark, Delaware · Public University · Est. 1743

US #18 QS World #501 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,799/yr
Admission rate: 71%
Earnings (10yr): $72,950
Students: 19,071

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University at Buffalo

Buffalo, New York · Public University · Est. 1846

US #21 QS World #521 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $20,995/yr
Admission rate: 74%
Earnings (10yr): $70,814
Students: 20,112

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Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida · Public University · Est. 1851

US #23 QS World #561 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $11,297/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $61,675
Students: 32,212

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University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida · Public University · Est. 1956

US #27 QS World #601 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $9,812/yr
Admission rate: 43%
Earnings (10yr): $57,743
Students: 37,207

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Syracuse University

Syracuse, New York · Private University · Est. 1870

US #30 QS World #611 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $38,793/yr
Admission rate: 46%
Earnings (10yr): $79,164
Students: 15,477

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Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1884

US #32 QS World #631 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $28,198/yr
Admission rate: 80%
Earnings (10yr): $63,727
Students: 20,970

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, Nebraska · Public University · Est. 1869

US #33 QS World #651 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $17,747/yr
Admission rate: 87%
Earnings (10yr): $56,887
Students: 19,178

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Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1855

US #40 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $32,875/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $63,435
Students: 42,284

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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Cincinnati, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1819

US #42 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $25,648/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $54,810
Students: 29,882

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Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, Tennessee · Private University · Est. 1892

US #43 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $24,345/yr
Admission rate: 66%
Earnings (10yr): $53,723
Students: 2,773

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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania · Public University · Est. 1787

US #45 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $30,434/yr
Admission rate: 58%
Earnings (10yr): $66,125
Students: 20,370

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Ohio State University-Main Campus

Columbus, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1870

US #46 ROI B Admissions open

Net price: $17,339/yr
Admission rate: 61%
Earnings (10yr): $60,409
Students: 45,638

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University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida · Public University · Est. 1853

US #47 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $6,541/yr
Admission rate: 24%
Earnings (10yr): $71,588
Students: 35,629

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Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana · Public University · Est. 1869

US #55 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,600/yr
Admission rate: 50%
Earnings (10yr): $72,424
Students: 44,503

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University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Private University · Est. 1740

US #56 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $28,699/yr
Admission rate: 5%
Earnings (10yr): $111,371
Students: 10,650

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Ohio University-Main Campus

Athens, Ohio · Public University · Est. 1804

US #59 ROI C Admissions open

Net price: $21,637/yr
Admission rate: 85%
Earnings (10yr): $52,581
Students: 19,633

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New York University

New York, New York · Private University · Est. 1831

US #61 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $37,050/yr
Admission rate: 9%
Earnings (10yr): $82,509
Students: 28,663

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Utah State University

Logan, Utah · Public University · Est. 1888

US #62 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $14,936/yr
Admission rate: 92%
Earnings (10yr): $54,022
Students: 20,272

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University of Connecticut-Stamford

Stamford, Connecticut · Public University · Est. 1952

US #66 ROI A Admissions open

Net price: $16,798/yr
Admission rate: 83%
Earnings (10yr): $73,997
Students: 2,432

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Frequently asked questions

Which are the best universities for associate's universities in the USA?

By our composite ranking, the top choices include Washington University in St Louis, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The full ranked list above shows each one's national rank, costs and admission data.

How much does it cost to study associate's universities in the USA?

Costs vary widely by university: public institutions charge in-state residents far less than out-of-state and international students, and private universities set one price for everyone. Every listing above shows the published tuition and net price we hold from the federal College Scorecard, so you can compare like with like.

Can international students work while studying associate's universities in the USA?

Yes, within the rules of the F-1 student visa: on-campus work during term, Curricular Practical Training tied to the program, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduating — with a longer extension for eligible STEM degrees.

About associate's universities in the USA

This page lists associate's universities in the USA held in our database, ordered by a composite score that combines QS World positions, our editorial star rating, academic breadth, internationalisation and student support — never paid placement. Program and cost figures come from the US Department of Education's College Scorecard. Use the filters to narrow by subject, level, university type or location; every combination has its own address you can bookmark or share.

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