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2015 Best Global Universities

By WTOP Staff

Best Universities Worldwide

Colleges across the world are working to prepare students to compete in a global workforce. Read about some of the international populations and initiatives of the top 20 Best Global Universities, ranked by U.S. News based on their academic reputations and research performance.

20. Duke University

In the U.S., Duke University offers its students a wide range of opportunities for studying abroad. One program, DukeEngage, pays for students to do community service for one of 78 nations for eight weeks, according to the university’s website.

19. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, located in the U.S., has an international student and scholar services department that provides international students with the assistance they need with immigration and adapting to Philadelphia and campus life.

18. University of California–San Diego

Located in the U.S., the University of California–San Diego offers students a variety of short- and long-term opportunities to study abroad.

17. Yale University

Yale University, located in the U.S., has a center for international and professional experience, which provides every undergraduate who receives financial aid with the opportunity and funding to study, work or research abroad, according to the university’s website.

14 (tie). University of Washington

Nearly 10 percent of the University of Washington‘s undergraduate student body is international, according to the school’s website. The University of Washington is located in the U.S.

14 (tie). University of Toronto

In Canada, the University of Toronto enrolls international students from more than 150 countries, according to the university’s website.

14 (tie). University of Michigan

Based in the U.S., the University of Michigan teaches more than 65 languages, according to the university’s website.

13. Princeton University

Princeton University offers counseling and support services to students who are suffering as a result of international disasters, according to Princeton’s website. The school is located in the U.S.

12. Imperial College London

Imperial College London offers programs that allow Ph.D. students to split their time between the campus in the United Kingdom and schools in Asia, according to the school’s website.

11. Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University, located in the U.S., has more than 3,000 international students from more than 121 countries, according to the university. Students have the opportunity to study abroad in nearly 30 countries.

10. Columbia University

Based in the U.S., Columbia University has eight global centers that handle a variety of research initiatives around the world, according to the university’s website.

9. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago, based in the U.S., brings students and scholars from around the world to live and study together in a diverse residential community known as International House.

8. University of California–Los Angeles

At the University of California–Los Angeles in the U.S., international students make up more than 11 percent of the student population.

7. California Institute of Technology

In the U.S., students at the California Institute of Technology can choose from several European and Australian study abroad opportunities, according to the school’s website.

6. University of Cambridge

Based in the United Kingdom, the University of Cambridge does extensive research on global issues, which includes its research initiative on global food security, according to its website.

5. University of Oxford

More than 60 percent of graduate students and 17 percent of undergraduate students at the United Kingdom’s University of Oxford are international students, according to the university’s website.

4. Stanford University

Approximately half of each graduating class studies abroad during their undergraduate career at Stanford University in the U.S., according to the school’s website.

3. University of California–Berkeley

Located in the U.S, the University of California–Berkeley hosts international students from more than 120 nations, according to the school’s website.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Most of the international students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the U.S. are graduate students, according to the school’s website.

1. Harvard University

Located in the U.S., Harvard University offers more than 250 study abroad programs for students, according to the university’s website.

See More Global University Rankings

Visit our Best Global Universities rankings for more information on the top institutions in the world.

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2015 Best Global Universities originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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