• Each year, U.S. News & World Report publishes their Best Colleges list, ranking the nation's top universities and colleges. Although a variety of categorical rankings are published, the premier list is the National Universities list, which measures universities in all aspects of the educational institution, including master's and doctoral degree programs. Here is a list of the top 10 national universities as ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 2010.
  
  

#1(tie): Harvard University

• Located just outside of Boston, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University attracts some of the brightest minds from across the world. The private institution is home to 6,678 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1390-1570 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $37,012 per year.
  
  Harvard University
  Undergraduate Admissions Office, 86 Brattle Street
  Cambridge, MA 02138
  Phone: (617) 495-1551
  Admissions Email: college@fas.harvard.edu
  Website: http://www.college.harvard.edu
  
  

#1(tie): Princeton University

• Set in Princeton, New Jersey, Princeton University is centrally located between New York City and Philadelphia. The private institution is home to 4,981 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1390-1570 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $35,340 per year.
  
  Princeton University
  Princeton, NJ 08544
  Phone: (609) 258-3060
  Admissions Email: uaoffice@princeton.edu
  Website: http://www.princeton.edu
  
  

#3: Yale University

• Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is renowned for producing many of the nation's greatest leaders, including U.S. presidents, supreme court justices and many international award winners. The private institution is home to 5,277 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1400-1570 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $36,500 per year.
  
  Yale University
  PO Box 208234
  New Haven, CT 06520
  Phone: (203) 432-9316
  Admissions Email: student.questions@yale.edu
  Website: http://www.yale.edu/
  
  

#4(tie): California Institute of Technology

• The California Institute of Technology, is one of only two West Coast universities to make the top 10 rankings and is tied for the top university specializing in science and technology. The private institution is home to only 927 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1460-1570 in math and verbal sections, with a heavy emphasis on math scores. Tuition for all students is $34,584 per year.
  
  200 E. California Boulevard
  Pasadena, CA 91125
  Phone: (626) 395-6341
  Admissions Email: ugadmissions@caltech.edu
  Website: http://www.caltech.edu
  
  

#4(tie): Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Known simply as M.I.T., the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the premier university on the East Coast, which specializes in science and technology research and education. The private institution is home to 4,153 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1380-1550 in math and verbal sections, with a heavy emphasis on math scores. Tuition for all students is $37,782 per year.
  
  Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA 02139
  Phone: (617) 253-3400
  Admissions Email: admissions@mit.edu
  Website: http://web.mit.edu/
  
  

#4(tie): Stanford University

• Stanford University is a diverse university that excels in many academic areas as well as athletics. The private institution is home to 6,532 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1350-1540 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $37,881 per year.
  
  Stanford University
  Stanford, CA 94305
  Phone: (650) 723-2091
  Admissions Email: admission@stanford.edu
  Website: http://www.stanford.edu
  
  

#4(tie): University of Pennsylvania

• Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1740, the University of Pennsylvania is nestled in the middle of Philadelphia and boasts a diverse student body hailing from countries around the world. The private institution is home to 9,756 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1350-1540 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $38,970 per year.
  
  University of Pennsylvania
  3451 Walnut Street
  Philadelphia, PA 19104
  Phone: (215) 898-7507
  Admissions Email: info@admissions.ugao.upenn.edu
  Website: http://www.upenn.edu
  
  

#8(tie): Columbia University

• Nestled in busy New York City, Columbia University is known for being pioneers in the pursuit of new academic disciplines and producing world-renowned innovators. The private institution is home to 7,495 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1370-1550 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $41,316 per year.
  
  Columbia University
  2960 Broadway
  New York, NY 10027
  Phone: (212) 854-2522
  Admissions Email: ugrad-ask@columbia.edu
  Website: http://www.columbia.edu
  
  

#8(tie): University of Chicago

• As the only Midwestern institution to make the top 10, the University of Chicago has made its reputation on a commitment to research from both its students and faculty. The private institution is home to 5,022 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1310-1530 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $39,381 per year.
  
  University of Chicago
  5801 S. Ellis Avenue
  Chicago, IL 60637
  (773) 702-8650
  Admissions Email: collegeadmissions@uchicago.edu
  Website: http://www.uchicago.edu
  
  

#10: Duke University

• Duke University represents the lone Southern institution in the top 10, located in Durham, North Carolina. It is also the highest rated university to claim a religious affiliation, teaching in accordance with the United Methodist Church. The private institution is home to 6,496 undergraduates whose middle 50 percent SAT scores range from 1340-1540 in math and verbal sections. Tuition for all students is $38,975 per year.
  
  Duke University
  2138 Campus Drive, Box 90586
  Durham, NC 27708
  (919) 684-3214
  Admissions Email: N/A
  Website: http://www.duke.edu/