2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Best Mid-Sized Colleges – Ivy Group

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Not too small and not too big, the best mid-sized colleges are a good medium for students who want to experience the best of both worlds. The list of the top mid-sized colleges includes schools that have between 3,000 and 9,999 total students enrolled – undergraduates and graduate students.

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Rank	Institution	Undergraduates	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Princeton University	5813	4.62	1,510 – 1,570	19811	87815	#1 Best Colleges – Best Mid-Sized Colleges – Ivy Group Princeton University Princeton, NJ A private Ivy League research university, Princeton University was founded in 1746 and originally known as the College of New Jersey, making it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the country. An extremely selective school, Princeton receives around 40,500 applications annually. Undergraduates 5,813 Acceptance Rate 4.6% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $19,811 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,815
2	Columbia University in the City of New York	9157	3.86	1,510 – 1,590	20869	88535	#2 Best Colleges – Best Mid-Sized Colleges – Ivy Group Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY Columbia University was founded in 1754, making it the oldest institution of higher education in the state. A doctoral/research university, some top majors for students include Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other, and Computer Science....Read more Undergraduates 9,157 Acceptance Rate 3.9% SAT Score 1,510 – 1,590 Avg. Net Price $20,869 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $88,535
3	Dartmouth College	4570	5.4	1,500 – 1,580	17322	82541	#3 Best Colleges – Best Mid-Sized Colleges – Ivy Group Dartmouth College Hanover, NH An Ivy League research university, Dartmouth College was founded before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Some famous alumni include Daniel Webster, Robert Frost, Dr. Seuss, and Thaddeus Stevens....Read more Undergraduates 4,570 Acceptance Rate 5.4% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $17,322 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $82,541
4	Barnard College	3269	7.96	1,450 – 1,540	27738	60411	#4 Best Colleges – Best Mid-Sized Colleges – Ivy Group Barnard College New York, NY Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college located on the banks of the Hudson River. It was founded in response to Columbia University not admitting women. Today, it’s part of the Seven Sisters, an association of women’s liberal arts colleges. Their motto is "Following the Way of Reason” in Greek. Undergraduates 3,269 Acceptance Rate 8.0% SAT Score 1,450 – 1,540 Avg. Net Price $27,738 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $60,411