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    Top Colleges on the East Coast

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman Written by Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman
    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman

    Gabriel Jimenez-Ekman is the Director of Content at Scholarships360. He has written over 300 articles on college admissions, financial aid, and scholarships, in addition to spearheading research projects for Scholarships360's Top Colleges resource. Gabriel graduated from Kenyon College with a degree in sociology.

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    Posted: November 27th, 2023

    The East Coast is home to many of America’s best-known colleges. And thanks to tuition reciprocity agreements such as Tuition Break and the Academic Common Market, students from all over the country can attend public schools on the East Coast and receive in-state tuition discounts.

    Compare the top East Coast colleges below. You can compare schools by size, graduation rate, admissions rate, cost, and more. And once you’re done, be sure to check out our scholarships to help fund your education!

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    500 colleges
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    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge, MA • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    MIT is a world leader in science, engineering, and technology education and research. The Institute is known for its rigorous academics and innovative culture, fostering technological breakthroughs and alumni such…Read More

    MIT is a world leader in science, engineering, and technology…Read More

    4% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    4,638 undergrads
    $20,338 net price
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    Princeton University

    Princeton, NJ • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Princeton is renowned for having some of the best academics in the entire world. Famous for its Eating Clubs, Princeton has produced alumni such as Woodrow Wilson, Jeff Bezos, and…Read More

    Princeton is renowned for having some of the best academics…Read More

    6% acceptance
    97% graduation rate
    5,527 undergrads
    $8,143 net price

    Georgia Institute of Technology

    Atlanta, GA • Public, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech, is a top-ranked public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, known for its strong engineering, computing, and business programs. With a vibrant…Read More

    Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly known as Georgia Tech, is…Read More

    17% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    17,379 undergrads
    $14,588 net price
    S

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore, PA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Swarthmore College, located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and small class sizes. The college's Scott Arboretum encompasses 425 acres of gardens…Read More

    Swarthmore College, located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal…Read More

    7% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    1,619 undergrads
    $21,595 net price

    University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, VA • Public, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is known for its historic campus and strong programs in law, business, and the humanities. The Rotunda, designed by Jefferson, is a UNESCO World Heritage…Read More

    Founded by Thomas Jefferson, UVA is known for its historic…Read More

    19% acceptance
    96% graduation rate
    17,103 undergrads
    $23,101 net price

    The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

    New York, NY • Private, Non-Profit, City, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Located in the heart of New York City, Cooper Union is known for its strong programs in architecture, engineering, and art. The college offers half-tuition scholarships to all admitted students…Read More

    Located in the heart of New York City, Cooper Union…Read More

    13% acceptance
    81% graduation rate
    892 undergrads
    $14,580 net price

    Carnegie Mellon University

    Pittsburgh, PA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Carnegie Mellon has been the home of many new fields of study, including machine learning, robotics, computational biology, management science, and drama. Located in Pittsburg, CMU has always been on…Read More

    Carnegie Mellon has been the home of many new fields…Read More

    11% acceptance
    94% graduation rate
    7,005 undergrads
    $34,550 net price

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley, MA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Wellesley College, situated in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a women's liberal arts college known for its strong focus on women's education and leadership. The campus includes the scenic Lake Waban, which…Read More

    Wellesley College, situated in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a women's liberal…Read More

    14% acceptance
    90% graduation rate
    2,353 undergrads
    $23,052 net price

    Washington and Lee University

    Lexington, VA • Private, Non-Profit, Town, Need-Blind

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Lexington, Virginia. There are currently 1,861 undergraduates at Washington and Lee and the school’s acceptance rate is 17%.…Read More

    Washington and Lee University is a private, non-profit 4-year college…Read More

    17% acceptance
    95% graduation rate
    1,861 undergrads
    $29,479 net price

    Lehigh University

    Bethlehem, PA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a private research university known for its strengths in engineering, business, and environmental studies. The university's Mountaintop Campus provides students with state-of-the-art research…Read More

    Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is a private research…Read More

    37% acceptance
    91% graduation rate
    5,612 undergrads
    $32,125 net price

    Wesleyan University

    Middletown, CT • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Situated in Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan is known for its progressive liberal arts education and strong sense of community. Notable alumni include Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of "Hamilton," and director Michael Bay.Read More

    Situated in Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan is known for its progressive…Read More

    16% acceptance
    86% graduation rate
    3,006 undergrads
    $28,340 net price

    Haverford College

    Haverford, PA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College, Top Affordability
    Top College Top College
    Top College: Affordability Top College: Affordability

    Haverford College is a highly selective liberal arts school known for its Honor Code, which emphasizes student integrity and self-governance. The college has a close partnership with Bryn Mawr College,…Read More

    Haverford College is a highly selective liberal arts school known…Read More

    12% acceptance
    81% graduation rate
    1,417 undergrads
    $21,464 net price

    Tufts University

    Medford, MA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    Situated just outside Boston, Tufts University is known for its strong emphasis on internationalism, active citizenship, and interdisciplinary research. The university comprises several schools, including the School of Arts and…Read More

    Situated just outside Boston, Tufts University is known for its…Read More

    11% acceptance
    93% graduation rate
    6,747 undergrads
    $35,123 net price

    Smith College

    Northampton, MA • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Top College Top College
    Top College Top College

    If you appreciate a self-directed education and a beautiful campus, Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, could be the school for you. The college's extensive Botanic Garden, including the Lyman Plant…Read More

    If you appreciate a self-directed education and a beautiful campus,…Read More

    23% acceptance
    89% graduation rate
    2,515 undergrads
    $31,087 net price

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute

    Utica, NY • Public, Suburb

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public 4-year college located in Utica, New York. There are currently 1,852 undergraduates at SUNY Poly and the school’s acceptance rate is 82%. The tuition…Read More

    SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a public 4-year college located in…Read More

    82% acceptance
    62% graduation rate
    1,852 undergrads
    $12,949 net price

    Marist University

    Poughkeepsie, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Marist University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Poughkeepsie, New York. There are currently 5,069 undergraduates at Marist and the school’s acceptance rate is 63%. The tuition at…Read More

    Marist University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    63% acceptance
    81% graduation rate
    5,069 undergrads
    $38,201 net price

    Siena University

    Loudonville, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Siena University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Loudonville, New York. There are currently 3,480 undergraduates at Siena and the school’s acceptance rate is 80%. The tuition at…Read More

    Siena University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    80% acceptance
    76% graduation rate
    3,480 undergrads
    $30,696 net price

    Duquesne University

    Pittsburgh, PA • Private, Non-Profit, City

    Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There are currently 5,087 undergraduates at Duquesne and the school’s acceptance rate is 87%. The tuition at Duquesne…Read More

    Duquesne University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    87% acceptance
    78% graduation rate
    5,087 undergrads
    $35,027 net price

    Susquehanna University

    Selinsgrove, PA • Private, Non-Profit, Town

    Susquehanna University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. There are currently 2,139 undergraduates at Susquehanna and the school’s acceptance rate is 81%. The tuition at Susquehanna…Read More

    Susquehanna University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    81% acceptance
    76% graduation rate
    2,139 undergrads
    $27,370 net price

    Adelphi University

    Garden City, NY • Private, Non-Profit, Suburb

    Adelphi University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in Garden City, New York. There are currently 5,004 undergraduates at Adelphi and the school’s acceptance rate is 66%. The tuition…Read More

    Adelphi University is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in…Read More

    66% acceptance
    67% graduation rate
    5,004 undergrads
    $26,501 net price
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    About the Data

    We sort colleges on our lists according to their Scholarships360 Top Colleges Index Score. This score is calculated using up-to-date information taken directly from the College Scorecard. Additional information is sourced from the colleges themselves, as well as other publicly available information. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.

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