Learning institutions play a crucial role in nurturing talents and disseminating knowledge needed to promote development. However, despite their vital roles in a community, tertiary learning institutions have different ranks that depend on their services’ quality. Besides, most private and government universities compete on service delivery. Although universities have similar responsibilities, their rankings depend on historical significance, the value of the graduate programs, extracurricular activities, notable alumni, and learning facilities.
Top 10 US Universities are: Johns Hopkins, Harvard, University of Chicago, Columbia, California Institute of Technology, Princeton, Stanford, Massachusetts Institute, Yale, University of Pennsylvania.
Comparison and Contrast
Historical Significance. Princeton and Harvard University are some of the most prestigious US-based universities due to their historical significance. Founded in 1636, Harvard University stands out as a learning institution that came to existence during colonial America and its unique role of educating clergy members. Similarly, Princeton University is a historic ivy campus that stands out as a historical monument of the serene Princeton town. Finally, John Hopkins stands out as the first US research university.
Value of Graduate Programs
Most of the top-ranking US-based universities compete on the quality of their academic programs. Princeton University stands out for its competitive graduate programs at International Affairs and Schools of Engineering and Applied Science and Woodrow Wilson School of Public. Other colleges that stand out due to their science-based courses include Yale, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Columbia University. Similarly, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and John Hopkins offer outstanding programs in both technical and art-based subjects. Should students of these specialties seek help while preparing their academic papers, they can get it here.
Sports
Most of the top-ranking US-based universities are members of the renowned National College Athletic Association (NCAA), which provides students with unique opportunities to advance their talents in sports. For instance, the NCAA membership for all the top ten US-based universities shows their commitment to nurturing extracurricular activities. This trait makes them stand out among other more recent or emerging higher learning institutions. Besides, NCAA membership attracts top-ranking US universities since they can join notable athletic leagues like the NBA.
Notable Alumni
Graduates from top-ranking US-based universities are prominent personalities in the country. For example, former first lady Michelle Obama, actress Brooke Shields, and former US President Woodrow Wilson are alumni of Princeton University. Some of the notable graduates from Harvard University include former US presidents like Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy other famous personalities like Helen Keller. Moreover, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in producing graduates who succeed in science- and tech-based innovations. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumni developed outstanding companies and products like Intel, Compaq, and Hotmail.
Facilities
Among the top ten colleges, Harvard University stands out for its extensive library system. For instance, Harvard University Library stands out as the most comprehensive private collection globally, which houses most of the oldest US-based books. Similarly, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and California Institute of Technology stand out from other institutions for their state-of-the-art science- and technology-based facilities. As a result, learners in these two institutions access unique opportunities to engage in extensive research while interacting with relevant organizations to advance their skills.
US-based universities strive to disseminate knowledge to learners. Some factors that determine their ranking include historical importance, quality of their learning programs, and extracurricular activities. Other factors include their social impacts, which remains evident through their notable alumni and quality of learning facilities. The most outstanding library facilities across the US make Harvard University one of the most prestigious higher learning institutions.