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Explore the 2016 Best National Universities

By U.S. News & World Report

Top 20 National Universities

National Universities are research institutions that offer a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The top schools are a mix of public and private institutions.

Check out these photos of the top 20 National Universities in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings.

20. University of California–Berkeley

Total undergraduate enrollment: 27,126

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $13,432 (in-state); $38,140 (out-of-state)

Regular decision application deadline: Nov. 30

More about the University of California–Berkeley.

18 (tie). Rice University (TX)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 3,926

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $42,253

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Rice University.

18 (tie). University of Notre Dame (IN)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,448

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $47,929

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about the University of Notre Dame.

15 (tie). Cornell University (NY)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 14,453

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,116

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2

More about Cornell University.

15 (tie). Vanderbilt University (TN)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,851

2014-2015 tuition and fees: $43,838

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Vanderbilt University.

15 (tie). Washington University in St. Louis

Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,401

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $48,093

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 15

More about Washington University in St. Louis.

14. Brown University (RI)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,548

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,346

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Brown University.

12 (tie). Dartmouth College (NH)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,289

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,506

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Dartmouth College.

12 (tie). Northwestern University (IL)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 8,405

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,047

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Northwestern University.

10 (tie). California Institute of Technology

Total undergraduate enrollment: 983

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $45,390

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3

More about California Institute of Technology.

10 (tie). Johns Hopkins University (MD)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,469

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $48,710

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Johns Hopkins University.

9. University of Pennsylvania

Total undergraduate enrollment: 9,746

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,536

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about the University of Pennsylvania.

8. Duke University (NC)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,626

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $49,341

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 2

More about Duke University.

7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Total undergraduate enrollment: 4,512

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $46,704

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

4 (tie). Columbia University (NY)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,170

2014-2015 tuition and fees: $51,008

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Columbia University.

4 (tie). Stanford University (CA)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 7,019

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $46,320

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 3

More about Stanford University.

4 (tie). University of Chicago

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,681

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $50,193

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 4

More about the University of Chicago.

3. Yale University (CT)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,477

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $47,600

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Yale University.

2. Harvard University (MA)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 6,694

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $45,278

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Harvard University.

1. Princeton University (NJ)

Total undergraduate enrollment: 5,391

2015-2016 tuition and fees: $43,450

Regular decision application deadline: Jan. 1

More about Princeton University.

Learn More About the Best Colleges Rankings

Explore the complete 2016 Best Colleges rankings to view other exclusive lists, such as A-plus Schools for B Students and Best Value Schools.

Connect with U.S. News Education on Facebook and Twitter to share your thoughts on the rankings with the #BestColleges hashtag.

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See the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges for 2016

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Explore the 2016 Best National 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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