2021’s Best Colleges & Universities in America

There will be 55 million job openings in the economy through 2020: 24 million openings from newly created jobs and 31 million openings due to baby boom retirements. By educational attainment: 35 percent of the job openings will require at least a bachelor’s degree, 30 percent of the job openings will require some college or an associate’s degree and 36 percent of the job openings will not require education beyond high school.

The average cost of tuition and fees for the 2020–2021 school year was $41,411 at private colleges, $11,171 for state residents at public colleges and $26,809 for out-of-state students at state schools, according to data reported to U.S. News in an annual survey. At public two-year institutions, tuition and fees cost $3,730 on average for in-state, in-district students in 2019-2020, according to data collected in the College Board's annual survey.

With the first “early decision” college-application deadline looming on Nov. 1 and colleges adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its 2021’s Best College & University Rankings report, in addition to separate rankings for colleges and for universities.

To help college-bound seniors make the most informed school choices, they compared over 1,000 higher-education institutions in the U.S. based on 30 key measures grouped into seven categories, such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing and Career Outcomes. The data set ranges from student-faculty ratio to graduation rate to post-attendance median salary.

WalletHub Q & A

Are Ivy League and other “name-brand” schools worth the high sticker price?

“The research is not clear as to whether or not this is true. We know that on average students who graduate from “name brand” schools tend to earn more than students who do not,” said Robert Toutkoushushian, University of Georgia. “However, we don’t know how much of the earnings difference can be attributed to the college they attended, or other attributes of the students such as innate ability, motivation to succeed, and family socioeconomic status.”

“Worth is such a loaded term when considering why students from marginalized communities select certain colleges,” said Christine Nelson, University of Denver. “In my research, I often explore how the purpose and function of higher education can vary across student groups. Questioning the purpose and function of higher education complicates the college choice process and forces scholars and practitioners to question their assumptions about why students select certain colleges. I have a difficult time saying that good education must cost a lot because how students from marginalized communities perceive money is vastly different from students who come from wealth. Even with a full-ride scholarship that many Ivy League schools offer to low-income students, how a student perceives that money/financial aid can influence, both positively and negatively, how they navigate their college experience.”

What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects?

“Students need to assess what they want to do post-graduation then explore the career area,” said Scott D. Hughes, PhD, University of New Mexico. “They will need to talk to people who are currently working in the field and seek perspectives from people of other genders and cultural backgrounds about the pros and cons of the field. They will need to be open-eyed and realistic about whether their perceptions are in sync with the realities of the field, what type of compensation they will receive, and if opportunities are available in the part of the country or the world they want to live.”

“Students need to actively search for funds to support their academic journey,” said Vicki L. Baker, MBA, MS, PhD, Albion College. “First, I strongly encourage students to apply to every scholarship they can get your hands on; ask individuals in your network about scholarships they may be aware of (and perhaps ask them to serve as a reference, if needed). Second, many companies have scholarships to support the academic pursuits of friends and family; be sure to research major organizations like Target who offer scholarship programs. Search company websites to learn more. Third, create a profile with scholarship websites like fastweb.com - they send the opportunities that align with your profile right to you. Most students assume they will not earn the scholarship and therefore do not apply. Others have that same mentality, which means fewer applicants. It is always worth taking the chance. Lastly, institutions often have scholarship opportunities for advanced students. Check-in every year with faculty members and financial aid about existing and new opportunities on campus that you may be eligible for.”

What are some strategies higher education institutions should take into consideration when resuming classes this fall?

“As institutions grapple with the impact of COVID-19 on nearly all aspects of the postsecondary enterprise, they must place the safety and wellbeing of all campus stakeholders at the forefront of decision-making,” said Joseph H. Paris, Ed.D, Temple University. “Institutions must also address the disparities that predate the pandemic but only now have become a part of national conversations about college student success. For example, students may not have access to reliable internet, the technology required for online learning, or a workspace that is free of distractions and is conducive for completing the requirements of college courses.”

“As of this moment classes are underway at the vast majority of institutions,” said Ann Marcus, New York University. “There is a great variety of formats: in-person; fully remote; hybrid; blended. There will be lots of evaluation as we move forward. Institutions will want to know the student and faculty preferences; which formats seemed most effective instructional; how they can accommodate faculty and student preferences since it now seems the pandemic may linger. Institutions have now learned how careful they must be to avoid sudden changes in instructional format and campus regulations which leave students and faculty with added stress during already difficult times.”

To view the full reports, please visit:

Best Colleges & Universities Overall: http://wallethub.com/edu/college-rankings/40750/

Best Colleges: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-colleges-in-the-us-ranking/40748/

Best Universities: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-universities-in-usa-ranking/39704/