Forbes Ranks America's Top Colleges, 2010

Ivy leaguers have their own criteria for selecting the best colleges in America. Parents often select their favorite college based on alumni loyalty. When it comes to students, they have their own criteria for ranking America's top colleges.

Forbes tapped into the student population to come up with the top 600 colleges in America. We will take a look at the top ten colleges here.

Just because students selected the top colleges does not mean that this is a least of America's top party schools. That is another list altogether. Forbes lists America's top colleges based on student perception. Criteria included quality of education, student experience, and student achievement.

America's Top Colleges - Williams College
William's College is one of the nation's smallest colleges. Obviously students feel that their needs are met by the small student to teacher ratio. Williams College is in a small town and does not offer a wild and crazy night life, like some big city colleges, but it does offer a variety of extra curricular activity, outstanding support for students, and rigorous preparation for the world that waits beyond college, whether it is employment or graduate school.

America's Top Colleges - Princeton University
A student review at Collegeprowler.com best describes one of the reasons Princeton made it to number two on Forbes' ranking of America's Top Colleges. In his words, "Princeton is not just a school, it is an experience." A life changing experience, after all, is what college is all about. Academics, politics, and social life come together on the campus of Princeton University to help mold top-notch students and citizens. The academic work at Princeton is rigorous, but the benefits of a Princeton University education are worth the effort, and students enjoy the experience along the way.

America's Top Colleges - Amherst College
Amherst college was founded back in 1821 and has been one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges for over 100 years. Amherst is a small college, but diverse college campus. It is a scenic campus, where students enjoy a tight knit community. Academics are vigorous, and a degree from Amherst offers students a distinct advantage when it comes time to compete in the job market or pursue a graduate degree.

America's Top Colleges - United States Military Academy - WestPoint
WestPoint United States Military Academy is the oldest service academy in the nation. This is the top notch school for an all around good education with a balanced approach to academics, military training, physical training, and ethics. Typically, students serve 5 years active military duty following graduation.

America's Top Colleges - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Students looking for degrees in technology and science will find Massachusetts Institute of Technology among the top technology schools in the US. MIT boasts a new state of the art medical lab and architectural school which is nothing short of astounding. The school is a center of excellence in education and social stimulation for college students.

America's Top Colleges - Stanford University
Stanford University prides itself on its diverse offering of academic, intellectual, leadership, cultural, and social experiences. Being part of the Stanford University community offers students a chance to access the best academics while developing all of the best within themselves.

America's Top Colleges - Swarthmore College
Swarthmore is another beautifully located, small liberal arts college. Students describe it as ultra liberal, but tend to enjoy academic and student life at Swarthmore. Swarthmore offers a college experience that will change the way you think about the world and your place in it.

America's Top Colleges - Harvard University
Most students are familiar with Harvard University. Harvard, founded in 1636, has offered a world class education and college experience for hundreds of years. It is the oldest university in the United States. Harvard's student body numbers around 20,000 students including both graduate and undergraduate students.

America's Top Colleges - Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna College is one of the youngest among America's top colleges and universities. Claremont McKenna prides itself of working to bridge the gap between traditional liberal arts education and the training and development of practical professional and technical skills.

America's Top Colleges - Yale University
Yale is one of America's all encompassing universities. They offer a college of undergraduate programs, Graduate School, professional schools, libraries, museums, and a variety of centers and programs. Yale serves a student population of less than 12,000. Yale has given students the opportunity to obtain a traditional education since 1701.

Source:
America's Best Colleges, Forbes.com