If you’re looking for a fantastic north eastern college experience, Pittsburgh should be on your short list. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “city of bridges,” lies at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers. The rivers have carved the countryside around them, making Pittsburgh one of the hilliest (and most attractive) cities in the country. While traditionally known for its steel manufacturing, numerous high-tech companies fuel the city’s economy today. Pittsburgh’s low cost of living and cosmopolitan sensibility make Pittsburgh colleges and universities a popular choice for higher education.

The best-known Pittsburgh colleges and universities include the private Carnegie-Mellon University and the public University of Pittsburgh, which reside side-by-side in the Oakland neighborhood, which also boasts great shopping, restaurants, and museums. Both schools are regularly ranked among the best colleges and universities in the country.