For many people, going to college is seen as the beginning of a new chapter in life, with the university experience having a profound impact on future careers and lifestyles. According to the 2025 rankings by The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse, Scripps College in California has been ranked as the top American university for student experience.
Unlike other rankings, The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranking focuses on how much a university can improve students’ chances of graduating on time and the extent to which it can enhance students’ post-graduation salary levels. It does not consider school reputation or financial status. In addition to the overall ranking, there are other subcategory rankings, with student experience ranking being one of them.
Scripps College is located in Claremont, California, and is a women’s liberal arts college. The school scored highly in three indicators, each accounting for one-third of the student experience score: campus facilities, campus life, and diversity.
The motto of the college is “Incipit Vita Nova,” which means “a new life begins.”
Following Scripps College are Harvey Mudd College, Florida International University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, and California Baptist University.
Scripps College and Harvey Mudd College are both members of the Claremont Colleges consortium. The alliance among the colleges/institutions includes sharing library systems, sports facilities, housing exchanges between schools, as well as offering joint educational programs and cross-registration of courses.
Among the five undergraduate colleges in the consortium, two others made it into the top ten rankings for student experience: Pomona College at 7th place and Claremont McKenna College at 10th place. Pitzer College, the fifth institution in the consortium, ranked 12th.
Many schools that excel in student experience also rank highly in overall national university rankings. Princeton University ranks 9th in student experience and 1st overall, with Yale University at 6th in student experience and 4th overall. Claremont McKenna College is ranked 5th overall.
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse conducted a survey of over 50,000 students and recent graduates, inquiring about various aspects of student life. Campus facilities-related questions touched on food, housing, and extracurricular activities. Other issues included student satisfaction with campus life, mental health support, safety, and school events/party scene.
Scripps College boasts a beautiful campus environment and is acclaimed as one of the most picturesque campuses in the United States. The architecture on campus mainly reflects Spanish Renaissance-style. Jon’Nae Sylvester, a senior student from New Orleans, told The Wall Street Journal, “Scripps [campus] really feels like a resort. It’s so beautiful, it really uplifts spirits.”
Brigham Young University ranked highest in campus facilities, while Hampden-Sydney College scored highest in campus life.
To assess diversity, students answered questions on the frequency and quality of interaction with students from different backgrounds. The Wall Street Journal used federal data to evaluate diversity among school faculty and students in terms of race, socioeconomic backgrounds, and disabled students.
Florida International University, located in Miami, beat all other schools in diversity rankings.
Here is a list of the top ten American universities for student experience:
1. Scripps College
2. Harvey Mudd College
3. Florida International University
4. Hobart and William Smith Colleges
5. California Baptist University
6. Yale University
7. Pomona College
8. Oral Roberts University
9. Princeton University
10. Claremont McKenna College