What are the most prestigious universities in the states?

I'm starting to think about college applications and am curious about the most prestigious universities in the U.S. How do schools in different states compare in terms of prestige?

The concept of "prestige" is somewhat subjective and depends on various factors, including academic rigor, selectivity, faculty, research opportunities, and the success of its graduates. However, in the U.S., many often consider schools in the "Ivy League" as some of the most prestigious. These include Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell, which are scattered along the East Coast.

In terms of the West Coast, Stanford University and California Institute of Technology (Caltech), both located in California, are generally held in high esteem. The University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is also highly regarded, particularly in engineering and the sciences.

In the Midwest, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University in Illinois, as well as the University of Michigan have notable reputations.

In the South, Vanderbilt University in Tennessee and Duke University in North Carolina stand out.

Public flagship universities are also esteemed institutions, often the most academically rigorous in their respective states. These include the University of Virginia (UVA), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill), and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).

Do keep in mind that while prestige can be a factor in choosing a university, it's also important to consider things like the programs offered, class size, campus culture, location, financial aid, and fit with your academic and career goals. Prestige does not always equate to the best fit for an individual student.