Which American universities are the most popular?

I'm starting to look into college applications and I'm curious about which universities in the US are considered the most popular. Is it based on applications, student enrollment, or reputation? Any insights or lists would be helpful!

Popularity of a university can be gauged through various lenses, such as the volume of undergraduate applications received by a school, the student enrollment, and the reputation or prestige of the school. A mix of those factors often provides a relatively comprehensive picture of a school's popularity.

Based on the volume of undergrad applications, schools such as University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California-San Diego (UCSD), and University of California-Berkeley (UC Berkeley) typically receive a very high number of applications each year. Keep in mind that the high number of applications also results in a lower acceptance rate due to the sheer volume of applicants.

If we consider student enrollment, we'll have state universities at the top of the list due to their large class sizes. For example, University of Central Florida (UCF), Texas A&M University, and The Ohio State University tend to have the largest enrollment numbers in the US.

In terms of reputation or prestige, Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale, and Princeton are very popular. Other highly prestigious and popular institutions include Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and The University of Chicago.

Remember, while understanding popularity can be helpful in getting a feel of student interest and reputation, your college choice should be driven by factors like academic fit, financial feasibility, size preference, location, and course offerings that align with your career goals and interests.