Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins is renowned for being the first research university in the country, and over the years, faculty and students have had a hand in a long list of innovations. In 1889, for example, they introduced the idea of using rubber gloves during surgery. More than 130 years later, the university is still well known for its pre-med programs, as well as its science and engineering degrees. Academics are tough, and the school's 24,000 students will find few (if any) classes among the 260 programs they can ace without hard work. There's no slacking off here; about three-quarters of undergrad courses have fewer than 20 students in them. Students don't neglect their social lives, however, and there's plenty to do outside of class. Just look at the Spring Fair, an annual event that has attracted performers like J. Cole and is known for its funnel cake. The Baltimore school has over 400 student organizations, including multiple a cappella groups and a capoeira club. In terms of athletics, JHU is known for its Division I men's and women's lacrosse teams – but students can also play club badminton, cricket, and even Quidditch. The university's proximity to Washington, D.C. provides opportunities for internships, jobs, and just plain old networking.