Spanish Language and Literature Colleges

Founded in 1701 by those who felt Harvard had lost its way, Yale took as its Latin motto Lux et Veritas, Light and Truth, to suggest that those in Cambridge could no longer see the Veritas. Thus was the Harvard-Yale ... learn more

Younger than the Ivies and sunnier, too, Stanford has become the nation's most selective institution by providing a world-class education to those dreaming of Silicon Valley riches, as well as those with Olympic medals on their minds. In fact, given ... learn more

Founded in 1754 as Kings College, Columbia needed a new name when students like Alexander Hamilton won the American Revolution. Benefitting from the Manhattan Renaissance of the past 20 years, Columbia now has single-digit selectivity. Its long commitment to the ... learn more

The only Ivy with the feel of a college rather than a university, Dartmouth is a haven for undergraduates. Its idyllic setting in a classic New Hampshire town comes complete with Dartmouth’s own skiway. Famous for traditions like the Homecoming ... learn more

The bookstore apparently does not sell a t-shirt that reads, "Vanderbilt…It Even Sounds Expensive," but it could, because the campus, a registered arboretum, looks like it costs plenty. Great academics, southern charm, SEC football, and the bright lights of Music ... learn more

By contrast to Columbia's curriculum that includes courses required of all students, Brown has long offered the most open-ended Ivy program, with self-designed study leading to concentrations rather than traditional majors. The "choose your own adventure" ethos may contribute to ... learn more

Founded by practical polymath Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania comprises the Wharton School of Business, Engineering, Nursing and the College of Arts and Sciences. Greek life and chants of "Let's Go, Quakers!" at spirited athletic contests contribute ... learn more

Using Archer Daniels Midland money to offer generous scholarships to National Merit Scholars starting in the early years of rankings 30 years ago, "Wash U"-as most call it—has attracted legions of students who have either fallen just short of the ... learn more

The most selective of California's Claremont Colleges, Pomona deserves its place amid the top liberal arts colleges in the nation; however, it does have distinct differences from the others in the top handful. Not as intensely competitive in intercollegiate athletics ... learn more

Just north of Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan—in fact built in part on land reclaimed from the water—Northwestern is to the Big 10 what Vanderbilt is to the SEC: the private university for the best students in the ... learn more

Rice's superb academics on an attractive residential campus on the edge of sprawling Houston can make those who still put gasoline in cars feel better about oil company profits, as some of that cash is going into a large endowment. ... learn more

Duke is to the East Coast what Stanford is to the West: an elite academic institution that somehow also competes at the highest level in athletics. Stanford certainly has the edge in Olympic athletes, but Duke has Coach K, a ... learn more