RANKED: The 50 most underrated colleges in America
50. Immaculata University
49. University of San Diego
Location: San Diego, California
US News ranking: 85
Median mid-career salary: $60,000
The University of San Diego is a moderately sized liberal arts Catholic school with a "laid back" student body, according to There are a total of 5,774 undergraduates representing 57 foreign countries.
48. Carnegie Mellon University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 25
Median mid-career salary: $83,600
Carnegie Mellon's motto is "my heart is in the work" which resonates from engineering to drama majors. The university has a 22% acceptance rate and an average high school GPA of 3.77.
47. American University
Location: Washington, DC
US News ranking: 78
Median mid-career salary: $61,000
With an acceptance rate of 29%, American University has 8,123 undergraduates and a student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1. A student told The Princeton Review that "the poli-sci kids are all going to be president one day, and the international studies ones are all going to save the world."
46. Georgetown University
Location: Washington, DC
US News ranking: 22
Median mid-career salary: $93,500
This moderately sized Jesuit school has an acceptance rate of 16% and has a student body representing 138 foreign countries.
45. University of Rhode Island
Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
US News ranking: 157
Median mid-career salary: $52,900
The University of Rhode Island has one of the best marine biology programs on the East Coast with other stand-out majors including nursing and pharmacy.
44. Case Western Reserve University
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
US News ranking: 42
Median mid-career salary: $74,600
One of the biggest campus events at Case Western includes a 10-day game of tag called "Humans Vs. Zombies."
43. Georgia Institute of Technology
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
US News ranking: 35
Median mid-career salary: $79,100
As a world-renowned public research university, Georgia Institute of Technology offers "rigorous" engineering, science, and business programs. With a 23% acceptance rate, the average high school GPA is 4.02, according to The Princeton Review.
42. Binghamton University-SUNY
Location: Binghamton, New York
US News ranking: 80
Median mid-career salary: $61,600
There is a total of 13,708 undergraduates at Binghamton University-SUNY representing 97 foreign countries. With a 40% acceptance rate, the average high school GPA is 3.7.
41. Seton Hall University
Location: South Orange, New Jersey
US News ranking: 119
Median mid-career salary: $57,200
A Catholic university, Seaton Hall offers more than 90 majors in seven undergraduate colleges and has an average class size of 21 students, according to The Princeton Review.
40. University of Houston
Location: Houston, Texas
US News ranking: 171
Median mid-career salary: $51,600
Among 45,300 students, The University of Houston has an equal number of men and women studying at the institution. The campus spans 594 acres and there are more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors, according to The Princeton Review.
39. Virginia Tech
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
US News ranking: 76
Median mid-career salary: $62,500
Virginia Tech has a 70% acceptance rate among students with an average high school GPA of 3.97. The university offers 240 undergraduate programs to more than 31,000 students.
38. Rutgers University-Newark
Location: Newark, New Jersey
US News ranking: 115
Median mid-career salary: $57,900
There are 8,551 undergraduates representing 57 foreign countries at Rutgers University, Newark. The University has a 64% acceptance rate.
37. University of St. Thomas
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
US News ranking: 124
Median mid-career salary: $56,800
The University of St. Thomas employs 332 faculty members for 1,864 undergraduate students. With an acceptance rate of 81%, the average high school GPA is 3.66.
36. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
US News ranking: 157
Median mid-career salary: $53,300
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell was founded in 1894 with a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship. The University has a 69% acceptance rate with an average high school GPA of 3.55.
35. The Catholic University of America
Location: Washington, DC
US News ranking: 129
Median mid-career salary: $56,800
A majority of Catholic University students socially identify as conservative with a small portion of "liberal millennials," according to The Princeton Review.
34. University of Texas-Arlington
Location: Arlington, Texas
US News ranking: 221
Median mid-career salary: $48,700
The University of Texas-Arlington has 25,690 undergraduate students representing 123 countries. A student told The Princeton Review that professors bring "real-life application and useful knowledge to the students."
33. George Washington University
Location: Washington, DC
US News ranking: 63
Median mid-career salary: $69,600
There are more female students at GW than male students and 97% of the total student body are from out-of-state. The university was founded in 1821 by an Act of Congress.
32. Villanova University
Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 49
Median mid-career salary: $77,900
Villanova University has a 36% acceptance rate with an average high school GPA of 4.09.
31. Benedictine University
Location: Lisle, Illinois
US News ranking: 221
Median mid-career salary: $49,000
Benedictine University has 2,960 undergraduate students representing 17 foreign countries. With an acceptance rate of 69%, the average high school GPA is 3.39.
30. Texas Tech University
Location: Lubbock, Texas
US News ranking: 187
Median mid-career salary: $51,400
Texas Tech University accepts 69% of applicants with an average high school GPA of 3.75, according to The Princeton Review.
29. Marquette University
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
US News ranking: 89
Median mid-career salary: $62,600
Marquette University is a Jesuit school that seeks to instill faith, service, and leadership in students, according to The Princeton Review.
28. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Location: Troy, New York
US News ranking: 49
Median mid-career salary: $82,000
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the oldest tech university in upstate New York.
27. Siena College
Location: Loudonville, New York
US News ranking: 135
Median mid-career salary: $57,100
Siena College is a small Roman Catholic college that upholds Catholic Franciscan qualities, according to The Princeton Review.
26. Virginia Military Institute
Location: Lexington, Virginia
US News ranking: 81
Median mid-career salary: $65,700
Nine countries are represented from 1,722 undergraduate students at Virginia Military Institute.
25. Duquesne University
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 119
Median mid-career salary: $58,500
Duquesne University is a private Catholic University with 5,942 undergraduates enrolled. With an acceptance rate of 72%, the average high school GPA is 3.73, according to The Princeton Review.
24. Lehigh University
Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 53
Median mid-career salary: $81,900
Lehigh University is a Division 1 school that offers more than 100 majors and academic programs.
23. St. John's University
Location: Queens, New York
US News ranking: 152
Median mid-career salary: $55,200
St. John's was founded in 1870 and upholds Catholic and Vincentian traditions, according to The Princeton Review.
22. University of San Francisco
Location: San Francisco, California
US News ranking: 96
Median mid-career salary: $62,300
The University of San Francisco is a private Jesuit school with 6,745 undergraduate and 4,293 graduate students.
21. Suffolk University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
US News ranking: 177
Median mid-career salary: $53,100
Suffolk University is more than 100 years old and enrolls approximately 950 students in the freshman class, according to The Princeton Review.
20. Azusa Pacific University
Location: Azusa, California
US News ranking: 205
Median mid-career salary: $51,100
Azusa Pacific University is a "God-centered Christian university" and is known for its nursing and music programs, according to The Princeton Review.
19. Rochester Institute of Technology
Location: Rochester, New York
US News ranking: 102
Median mid-career salary: $62,400
Rochester Institute of Technology has a 57% acceptance rate and average high school GPA of 3.6, according to the Princeton Review.
18. University of Maryland-Baltimore County
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
US News ranking: 165
Median mid-career salary: $55,000
The University of Maryland-Baltimore County is a liberal arts honors university with an average high school GPA of 3.8, according to The Princeton Review.
17. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Location: Worcester, MA
US News ranking: 59
Median mid-career salary: $84,900
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private research school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math.
16. Stonehill College
Location: Easton, Massachusetts
US News ranking: 124
Median mid-career salary: $60,800
Stonehill College is a liberal arts Catholic institution. With a 72% acceptance rate, the average high school GPA is 3.32, according to The Princeton Review.
15. Widener University
Location: Chester, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 194
Median mid-career salary: $53,400
Widener University has 3,427 undergraduates representing 38 foreign countries, according to The Princeton Review.
14. Illinois Institute of Technology
Location: Chicago, Illinois
US News ranking: 96
Median mid-career salary: $69,100
Illinois Institute of Technology programs focus on areas of STEM — science, technology, engineering, and math. Students told The Princeton Review that "the students at IIT are absolute nerds, and we all say that with pride."
13. George Mason University
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
US News ranking: 136
Median mid-career salary: $59,900
George Mason University has 24,987 undergraduates representing 106 foreign countries.
12. Stevens Institute of Technology
Location: Hoboken, New Jersey
US News ranking: 70
Median mid-career salary: $89,200
Students at Stevens Institute of Technology can choose from 35 majors with a focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship.
11. Adelphi University
Location: Garden City, New York
US News ranking: 147
Median mid-career salary: $58,500
Adelphi University is a research institution offering liberal arts and science programs across arts and humanities, STEM, social sciences, business, education, and health and wellness, according to The Princeton Review.
10. Drexel University
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
US News ranking: 102
Median mid-career salary: $68,800
At Drexel University, first-year students take several classes pertaining to their major, then alternate every six months studying and being employed full-time, according to The Princeton Review.
9. New Jersey Institute of Technology
Location: Newark, New Jersey
US News ranking: 106
Median mid-career salary: $68,500
New Jersey Institute of Technology has 8,483 undergraduate students representing 65 foreign countries.
8. Colorado School of Mines
Location: Golden, Colorado
US News ranking: 80
Median mid-career salary: $84,900
Colorado School of Mines has a 56% acceptance rate and average high school GPA of 3.78, according to The Princeton Review.
7. Florida Institute of Technology
Location: Melbourne, Florida
US News ranking: 177
Median mid-career salary: $56,600
At first, the Florida Institute of Technology started as a graduate school in 1958 but has since expanded to include bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees, according to The Princeton Review.
6. Clarkson University
Location: Potsdam, New York
US News ranking: 102
Median mid-career salary: $72,000
Clarkson University's programs mainly focuses on science and engineering. Students told The Princeton Review that "Clarkson has 'a fair ratio of 'nerds' to 'jocks' due to the recruitment of athletes for teams.'"
5. University of the Pacific
Location: Stockton, California
US News ranking: 106
Median mid-career salary: $71,700
University of the Pacific has accelerated programs in dentistry, law, engineering, and pharmacy, according to The Princeton Review.
4. Michigan Technological University
Location: Houghton, Michigan
US News ranking: 136
Median mid-career salary: $66,400
Michigan Technological University was originally established as a school for mining engineers in 1885 and is now a leading public research university.
3. University of Colorado-Denver
Location: Denver, Colorado
US News ranking: 205
Median mid-career salary: $56,400
University of Colorado-Denver's in-state tuition is low at $5,054, while out-of-state tuition is $17,010, according to The Princeton Review.
2. Pace University
Location: New York, New York
US News ranking: 177
Median mid-career salary: $60,300
Pace University is known for its liberal arts and business programs. Students told The Princeton Review that the student body is "as diverse as the city around us."
1. Missouri University of Science & Technology
Location: Rolla, Missouri
US News ranking: 157
Median mid-career salary: $71,200
Missouri University of Science & Technology exposes students to "every different type of engineering" and is described by students as a less stereotypical Big Bang Theory, according to The Princeton Review.
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