STEM degrees (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) have always been popular majors in American universities, known to bring lucrative returns for graduates. However, pursuing a STEM degree requires more effort and a significant amount of study time.
The “Princeton Review,” known for its education services and rankings of various school categories, has released its 21st annual report ranking American universities on a series of topics. Among the top ten universities where students study the hardest, many offer STEM-focused programs.
The magazine surveyed students from nearly 400 American universities, asking about their time spent studying outside of class. California Institute of Technology students spend the most time studying, followed by Harvey Mudd College, with only one Ivy League school, Princeton University, making it into the top ten.
According to information from the California Institute of Technology website, all students, including those majoring in English and History, must complete core courses focused on STEM subjects. The college emphasizes that the program is “extremely” challenging. Harvey Mudd College specializes in providing Bachelor of Science degrees in various STEM fields for undergraduates.
The school report states that alumni from the California Institute of Technology include astronaut Frank Borman who commanded the first lunar orbit mission, Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, and 17 Nobel Prize winners. The school was also ranked 7th globally by “Times Higher Education” in 2025 based on faculty reputation and research contributions at global universities.
Student testimonials published in the “Princeton Review” praised the California Institute of Technology for encouraging students to think critically and face challenges, making learning both rigorous and enjoyable by providing a wealth of information. Despite the “intense” academic experience, resources are allocated intensively to about 1000 undergraduate students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 1:3, facilitating close connections between students and professors.
California Institute of Technology’s rigorous and comprehensive core curriculum covers the sciences, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences, aiming to expose students to a wide range of disciplines. One student described it as “an extremely challenging whirlwind of humble and fascinating knowledge.”
Here are ten universities selected for their diligent students by the “Princeton Review” rankings, along with the published tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year, and median income based on federal aid recipient income data from attending these schools ten years prior.
Location: Pasadena, California
2025-26 tuition: $65,622
Median Income: $128,566
Location: Claremont, California
2025-26 tuition: $72,699
Median Income: $138,687
This institution is a top-ranked liberal arts and engineering college known for its excellent science, engineering, and mathematics education, dedicated to fostering technologically savvy leaders with a strong background in the humanities.
Location: Needham, Massachusetts
2025-26 tuition: $64,552
Median Income: $129,455
Known for its young, small-scale, project-based program, the college benefits from substantial donations funded by the F.W. Olin Foundation.
Location: Grinnell, Iowa
2025-26 tuition: $71,788
Median Income: $62,830
Grinnell College enjoys high academic prestige among liberal arts colleges in the United States, renowned for its academic rigor and high student achievement.
Location: Terre Haute, Indiana
2025-26 tuition: $56,910
Median Income: $101,253
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, established in 1874, is a top-tier engineering college known for its quality teaching and employment emphasis compared to traditional 4-year American universities, receiving recognition in the engineering field nationwide and globally.
Location: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
2025-26 tuition: $68,970
Median Income: $71,517
It is a renowned liberal arts college with excellent academic reputation and a rich history. The college’s location next to Gettysburg National Military Park, a key battleground during the American Civil War, provides a unique historical context and humanistic environment. The college motto, “Dolor Gloria Merces” (“Pain Brings Glory” or “Struggle Brings Reward”), reflects the institution’s values of emphasizing effort and achievement.
Location: Danville, Kentucky
2025-26 tuition: $54,890
Median Income: $66,240
This prestigious liberal arts college with a long history is known for its excellent academic atmosphere, small-class teaching, and focus on individual development.
Location: Easton, Pennsylvania
2025-26 tuition: $66,496
Median Income: $91,410
This well-known private liberal arts college emphasizes excellence in undergraduate engineering education and a strong tradition in the humanities. The college’s unique teaching approach of integrating engineering and the humanities encourages students to combine rigorous engineering thinking with critical thinking in the humanities, fostering innovative and problem-solving skills.
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
2025-26 tuition: $65,210
Median Income: $110,066
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
2025-26 tuition: $64,310
Median Income: $143,372
According to a 2024 national student engagement survey, freshman STEM majors spent an average of 17.1 hours per week studying, while students in humanities, communications, and social sciences majors spent an average of 15.6 hours per week preparing for classes.
The survey interviewed nearly 476,000 students from 771 institutions, finding that freshman students in all subjects spent an average of 15.8 hours per week studying outside of class.