The 30 best colleges in America, based on how much they cost and how much you'll make after graduating

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• Niche, a research firm that tracks K-12 and higher education, released its annual list of the best colleges to attend in 2021. The company assessed off 12 factors, including value for financial investment and academic rigor. 
• MIT, Harvard, and Stanford were the top three, in that order. 
• Below are the top 30 universities to attend in 2021.
• Also listed is acceptance rate, average cost to attend, undergraduate enrollment, and how much students earn six years after graduating.
• Niche reported each college's estimate of the average cost to attend after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid.
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30. Carleton College — Northfield, Minnesota

Acceptance rate: 20%

Net cost to attend: $32,336

Undergraduate enrollment: 2,077

Median earnings 6 years after graduating: $54,200

29. University of Virginia — Charlottesville, Virginia

Acceptance rate: 26%

Net cost to attend: $17,845

Undergraduate enrollment: 15,990

Median earnings 6 years after graduating: $61,200

28. Harvey Mudd College — Claremont, California

Acceptance rate: 14%

Net cost to attend: $38,768

Undergraduate enrollment: 887

Median earnings 6 years after graduating: $88,800

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SEE ALSO: The 30 top colleges in the US, and how much you might be earning 6 years after graduating