100 Best colleges for Neurosurgery in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Neurosurgery. A graph of 500K citations received by 20.5K academic papers made by 105 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Neurosurgery

#1 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

2. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Neurosurgery

#3 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

3. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Neurosurgery

#4 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

4. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Neurosurgery

#5 in North America

#9 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $12,328
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,018

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Neurosurgery

#6 in North America

#12 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

6. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Neurosurgery

#7 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

7. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Neurosurgery

#8 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

8. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Neurosurgery

#9 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

9. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Neurosurgery

#10 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

10. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Neurosurgery

#11 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

11. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Neurosurgery

#12 in North America

#25 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

12. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Neurosurgery

#13 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

13. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Neurosurgery

#14 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,078

14. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Neurosurgery

#15 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

15. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Neurosurgery

#16 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

16. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Neurosurgery

#17 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

17. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Neurosurgery

#18 in North America

#43 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

18. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Neurosurgery

#19 in North America

#45 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

19. Catholic University of America

District of Columbia | Washington

For Neurosurgery

#20 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Net Price: $32,705
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $42,657

20. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Neurosurgery

#21 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

21. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Neurosurgery

#23 in North America

#53 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,774
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1900

22. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

New York State | New York City

For Neurosurgery

#25 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,261
Male:Female: 38:62
Founded: 1963

23. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Neurosurgery

#26 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

24. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Neurosurgery

#27 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 95%

25. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Neurosurgery

#28 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

26. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Neurosurgery

#29 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

27. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Neurosurgery

#30 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

28. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Neurosurgery

#31 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

29. Oregon Health & Science University

Oregon | Portland

For Neurosurgery

#32 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,942
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1887

30. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Neurosurgery

#33 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

31. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Neurosurgery

#34 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

32. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Neurosurgery

#36 in North America

#95 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

33. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Neurosurgery

#37 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

34. Thomas Jefferson University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Neurosurgery

#38 in North America

#105 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $29,325

35. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Neurosurgery

#39 in North America

#107 in the World

Enrollment: 359
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1941

36. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Neurosurgery

#40 in North America

#108 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

37. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Neurosurgery

#41 in North America

#117 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

38. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Neurosurgery

#42 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,636
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

39. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

Colorado | Denver

For Neurosurgery

#43 in North America

#134 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1100
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

40. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Neurosurgery

#44 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

41. Medical University of South Carolina

South Carolina | Charleston

For Neurosurgery

#45 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 56%
Enrollment: 3,246
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1824

42. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Arkansas | Little Rock

For Neurosurgery

#46 in North America

#140 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Enrollment: 3,485
Male:Female: 25:75
Founded: 1879

43. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Neurosurgery

#47 in North America

#141 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

44. Wayne State University

Michigan | Detroit

For Neurosurgery

#48 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

45. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Texas | Dallas

For Neurosurgery

#49 in North America

#145 in the World

Enrollment: 2,549
Male:Female: 43:57
Founded: 1943

46. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Neurosurgery

#50 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

47. George Washington University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Neurosurgery

#51 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $46,485

48. Loma Linda University

California | Loma Linda

For Neurosurgery

#52 in North America

#154 in the World

Enrollment: 4,210
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1905

49. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Neurosurgery

#53 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

50. University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Tennessee | Memphis

For Neurosurgery

#55 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Enrollment: 3,101
Male:Female: 33:67
Founded: 1911

51. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Neurosurgery

#56 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

52. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Texas | San Antonio

For Neurosurgery

#57 in North America

#170 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Enrollment: 3,786
Male:Female: 34:66
Founded: 1959

53. Georgetown University

District of Columbia | Washington

For Neurosurgery

#58 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,083

54. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Neurosurgery

#59 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

55. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Neurosurgery

#60 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

56. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Neurosurgery

#61 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

57. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport

Louisiana | Shreveport

For Neurosurgery

#62 in North America

#196 in the World

Enrollment: 1,103
Male:Female: 38:62
Founded: 1969

58. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Neurosurgery

#63 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

59. Albany Medical College

New York State | Albany

For Neurosurgery

#65 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 814
Male:Female: 37:63
Founded: 1839

60. Florida College

Florida | Temple Terrace

For Neurosurgery

#67 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1075
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $24,335

61. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Neurosurgery

#68 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

62. Wake Forest University

North Carolina | Winston-Salem

For Neurosurgery

#69 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,401

63. New York Medical College

New York State | Valhalla

For Neurosurgery

#71 in North America

#229 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,471
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1860

64. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Neurosurgery

#72 in North America

#233 in the World

Enrollment: 4,938
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

65. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Neurosurgery

#73 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

66. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Neurosurgery

#74 in North America

#235 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

67. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Neurosurgery

#75 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

68. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

Pennsylvania | Hershey

For Neurosurgery

#76 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Founded: 1967

69. Medical College of Wisconsin

Wisconsin | Milwaukee

For Neurosurgery

#77 in North America

#249 in the World

Enrollment: 1,677
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1893

70. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Neurosurgery

#78 in North America

#250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

71. University of Mississippi Medical Center

Mississippi | Jackson

For Neurosurgery

#79 in North America

#257 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Founded: 1955

72. Illinois College

Illinois | Jacksonville

For Neurosurgery

#81 in North America

#266 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1032
Average ACT: 23
Net Price: $17,375

73. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Neurosurgery

#82 in North America

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

74. West Virginia University

West Virginia | Morgantown

For Neurosurgery

#83 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1115
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 97%

75. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Maryland | Bethesda

For Neurosurgery

#84 in North America

#269 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Enrollment: 2,500
Founded: 1972

76. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Neurosurgery

#85 in North America

#275 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

77. Drexel University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Neurosurgery

#86 in North America

#280 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $42,801

78. University of Louisville

Kentucky | Louisville

For Neurosurgery

#87 in North America

#288 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1155
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

79. Upstate Medical University

New York State | Syracuse

For Neurosurgery

#88 in North America

#292 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,341
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1834

80. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Neurosurgery

#89 in North America

#295 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

81. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Neurosurgery

#90 in North America

#298 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

82. Saint Louis University

Missouri | St. Louis

For Neurosurgery

#91 in North America

#299 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $27,749

83. Augusta University

Georgia | Augusta

For Neurosurgery

#92 in North America

#300 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1055
Average ACT: 22
Receiving Aid: 93%

84. University of Texas Medical Branch

Texas | Galveston

For Neurosurgery

#93 in North America

#302 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 3,241
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1891

85. Capital University

Ohio | Columbus

For Neurosurgery

#94 in North America

#305 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1045
Average ACT: 22
Net Price: $22,395

86. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Neurosurgery

#95 in North America

#310 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

87. University of Texas at Austin

Texas | Austin

For Neurosurgery

#96 in North America

#311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

88. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Neurosurgery

#97 in North America

#313 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

89. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Neurosurgery

#98 in North America

#315 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $14,837
Enrollment: 29,640

90. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Neurosurgery

#99 in North America

#320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 95%

91. Mercer University

Georgia | Macon

For Neurosurgery

#100 in North America

#329 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 28
Net Price: $24,364

92. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Neurosurgery

#101 in North America

#336 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,489
Male:Female: 31:69
Founded: 1962

93. University of Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska | Omaha

For Neurosurgery

#102 in North America

#343 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Enrollment: 3,988
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1869

94. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Neurosurgery

#103 in North America

#344 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

95. Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - New Orleans

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Neurosurgery

#104 in North America

#348 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Enrollment: 2,750
Male:Female: 28:72
Founded: 1931

96. Johnson University

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Neurosurgery

#105 in North America

#358 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1035
Average ACT: 21
Net Price: $22,615

97. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Neurosurgery

#106 in North America

#360 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

98. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Neurosurgery

#107 in North America

#363 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

99. Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel

New York State | New York City

For Neurosurgery

#112 in North America

#397 in the World

Receiving Aid: 0%
Enrollment: 311
Male:Female: 12:88

100. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Neurosurgery

#113 in North America

#400 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1320
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $48,618

The best cities to study Neurosurgery in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, San Francisco, Baltimore, and Rochester.