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Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA)

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Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA)

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Top research colleges offer exceptional academic opportunities, allowing students and faculty to participate in practical, innovative research that drives progress in the sciences. What is a Research College? Research universities—public or private—provide hands-on research experiences and award degrees at all levels. Research colleges typically secure federal grants, boast distinguished faculty, and feature strong academic programs, positioning them as leaders in education and innovation.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school’s selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We’ve outlined our full methodology here.

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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 Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) 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	University of Pennsylvania	10013	5.4	1,500 – 1,570	26017	90555	#2 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA The University of Pennsylvania, one of the oldest schools in the country, was founded in 1740, primarily by Benjamin Franklin, who was also their first president. A doctoral/research university, UPenn has a 98% first year retention rate, and 89% of students will go on to graduate in four years....Read more Undergraduates 10,013 Acceptance Rate 5.4% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $26,017 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $90,555
3	Columbia University in the City of New York	9157	3.86	1,510 – 1,590	20869	88535	#3 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) 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
4	Cornell University	16128	8.41	1,490 – 1,570	26455	87830	#4 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) Cornell University Ithaca, NY Cornell University is made up of seven undergraduate colleges and seven graduate divisions. Some famous alumni include Christopher Reeve, Bill Nye, E.B. White, and Anthony Fauci. 98% of students stay on after the first year, with 94% graduating within six years. Computer Science is the most popular major. Undergraduates 16,128 Acceptance Rate 8.4% SAT Score 1,490 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $26,455 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $87,830
5	Johns Hopkins University	6356	6.44	1,520 – 1,580	22844	86306	#5 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Johns Hopkins University was founded in 1876 and named for its first benefactor. The first research university in the country, its motto in Latin is “veritas vos liberabit,” or “the truth will set you free.” The Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team plays in the Big Ten Conference as an affiliate member and has over 40 national titles....Read more Undergraduates 6,356 Acceptance Rate 6.4% SAT Score 1,520 – 1,580 Avg. Net Price $22,844 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $86,306
6	Georgetown University	7833	12.91	1,400 – 1,550	37967	83222	#6 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) Georgetown University Washington, DC A private Jesuit research university, Georgetown University was founded as the Georgetown College in 1789 by Bishop John Carroll. It’s the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in the country and offers over 50 majors. Past graduates include Bill Clinton, Lyndon B....Read more Undergraduates 7,833 Acceptance Rate 12.9% SAT Score 1,400 – 1,550 Avg. Net Price $37,967 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $83,222
7	Carnegie Mellon University	7824	11.66	1,500 – 1,570	32964	105360	#7 Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA) Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA Some popular majors at Carnegie Mellon University include Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. A merger in 1900 between Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research created the school we know today....Read more Undergraduates 7,824 Acceptance Rate 11.7% SAT Score 1,500 – 1,570 Avg. Net Price $32,964 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $105,360

School data is from 2022–2023 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

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2026 College Rankings

Best Colleges – Best Research Colleges – Mid East (DE, DC, MD, NJ, NY, PA)

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Methodology