The Princeton Review surveys thousands of college applicants and their parents to see what the top dream schools are among Americans in different states. Their infographic highlighted the top ten most sought-after colleges by students in 2025 after looking at the survey taken among 2294 parents and 7023 students. According to the results, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the top dream school of students, while parents rank Princeton University as their top choice.
Harvard College got demoted to the second spot as a dream college amongst students due to several controversies, while MIT is the second top college among parents. Other top dream colleges of students include Stanford University, Princeton University, Yale University, and Columbia University. New York University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and UCLA are also the top ten dream colleges of students.
The survey also found that 38% of the students know that they have to pay approximately $150,000 to get their degree, while 98% need financial aid to go through college. When the survey asked respondents why they need a college degree, 46% said that they need it for better jobs and high salaries, 29% want the degree for innovative ideas and 25% want a degree just because they love education.
As students look to top schools like MIT, Princeton, and Harvard, it’s important to remember that a degree alone doesn’t guarantee success. Yes, a prestigious college may open doors, but skills and experience are what really matter in today’s job market. More and more, employers are focusing on what you can do, not just where you went to school. The real-world experience you gain outside of a classroom — whether through internships, projects, or personal initiatives — often holds more value than a diploma. And with AI changing the way we work, the future will favor those who can adapt and innovate, not just those with a degree. The message is clear, it’s not where you go, it’s what you can do that counts.
Read next: Google’s Report Reveals 122-Hour Productivity Gains, AI’s Economic Impact, and Challenges for Older Workers
Harvard College got demoted to the second spot as a dream college amongst students due to several controversies, while MIT is the second top college among parents. Other top dream colleges of students include Stanford University, Princeton University, Yale University, and Columbia University. New York University, the University of Michigan, the University of Pennsylvania, and UCLA are also the top ten dream colleges of students.
The survey also found that 38% of the students know that they have to pay approximately $150,000 to get their degree, while 98% need financial aid to go through college. When the survey asked respondents why they need a college degree, 46% said that they need it for better jobs and high salaries, 29% want the degree for innovative ideas and 25% want a degree just because they love education.
As students look to top schools like MIT, Princeton, and Harvard, it’s important to remember that a degree alone doesn’t guarantee success. Yes, a prestigious college may open doors, but skills and experience are what really matter in today’s job market. More and more, employers are focusing on what you can do, not just where you went to school. The real-world experience you gain outside of a classroom — whether through internships, projects, or personal initiatives — often holds more value than a diploma. And with AI changing the way we work, the future will favor those who can adapt and innovate, not just those with a degree. The message is clear, it’s not where you go, it’s what you can do that counts.
Read next: Google’s Report Reveals 122-Hour Productivity Gains, AI’s Economic Impact, and Challenges for Older Workers
