The top five colleges across four major ranking institutions.

There are several university ranking systems that are widely recognized and respected, including the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, and U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings. Here are some of the top universities in the country according to each ranking:

Times Higher Education World University Rankings:

1. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

2. Stanford University

3. Harvard University

4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

5. Princeton University

QS World University Rankings:

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

2. Stanford University

3. Harvard University

4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

5. University of Chicago

U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings:

1. Harvard University

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

3. Stanford University

4. University of California--Berkeley

5. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

It's important to note that rankings can vary depending on the methodology used, and that choosing a university should not solely be based on rankings. It's also important to consider factors such as location, programs of study, extracurricular activities, and overall fit.