These Are the Colleges That Produced the Most Famous Celebrities in America

These colleges have produced a striking number of influential alumni. Presidential candidates, iconic musicians, famous actresses, and film directors once walked these campuses, mostly long before anyone had any idea who they were or how far they would go in their careers.

If you are curious about which colleges have turned out the greatest concentration of famous figures, click through this impressive gallery.

New York University

NYU has campuses in both Manhattan and Brooklyn and has counted many celebrities among its students over the years. Lady Gaga is one of the most notable, having earned early admission to the highly regarded Collaborative Arts Project 21. She pursued music studies at the school before leaving in the second semester of her sophomore year to dedicate herself fully to her music career.

NYU’s other notable alumni: Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Anne Hathaway, Kristen Bell, Morgan Freeman, and Dakota Fanning.

The Juilliard School

The Juilliard School was established in 1905 and is located in New York City. It has been home to many well-known figures over the decades, among them Robin Williams. Williams maintained a deep and lasting connection with the institution, and his legacy lives on through the Robin Williams Scholarship, which covers tuition costs for a drama student every year.

Juilliard’s other notable alumni: Adam Driver, Viola Davis, Christopher Reeve, Oscar Isaac, and Nina Simone.

Berklee College of Music

Situated in Boston, Massachusetts, the Berklee College of Music has built a reputation for launching extraordinary musical careers. According to the college, its alumni have collectively taken home hundreds of Grammy Awards over the years. John Mayer is among its most celebrated former students, having enrolled at the school back in 1997.

Berklee’s other notable alumni: Quincy Jones, St. Vincent, Charlie Puth, Sofia Boutella, Trey Parker, and Eric Andre.

Yale University

Yale University is an Ivy League institution and holds the distinction of being the third-oldest college in the United States. Organized into 14 constituent schools, Yale has a long history of producing presidents, diplomats, and billionaire entrepreneurs. Hillary Clinton is among the many high-profile figures who have passed through its doors.

Yale’s other notable alumni: James Franco, George W. Bush, Edward Norton, and Paul Newman.

University of Michigan

The University of Michigan operates across three campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint. The school has a long list of accomplished graduates spanning many different fields, with Madonna being one of its most recognized names.

University of Michigan’s other notable alumni: Iggy Pop, Tom Brady, Lucy Liu, and Larry Page, co-founder of Google.

Harvard University

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University holds the title of the oldest college in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious universities anywhere in the world. Its roster of famous former students is extensive, including Natalie Portman, who completed a degree in psychology there.

Harvard’s other notable alumni: Mark Zuckerberg, Al Gore, Matt Damon, Bill Gates, and Rashida Jones.

University of California, Los Angeles

UCLA is part of the ten-campus University of California system and has a long tradition of welcoming celebrated figures. Jim Morrison is among its more iconic former students, having studied film during his time at the school.

UCLA’s other notable alumni: Ben Stiller, Carol Burnett, James Dean, and Jack Black.

University of Southern California

USC sits in the heart of Los Angeles and has a strong track record of producing leaders across a wide range of industries. Director George Lucas is one of its most famous former students, having gone through the school’s well-regarded film program.

USC’s other notable alumni: Neil Armstrong, Forest Whitaker, John Wayne, and Macy Gray.

Columbia University

Founded in 1754 on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhattan, Columbia University consistently ranks among the top universities in the world according to major education publications. Jake Gyllenhaal is among the many well-known names who studied there.

Columbia’s other notable alumni: Warren Buffett, Timothée Chalamet, Katie Holmes, and Art Garfunkel.

Brown University

Brown is another respected Ivy League school with a long list of celebrated former students. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the university counted Emma Watson among its attendees during her academic years.

Brown’s other notable alumni: John F. Kennedy Jr., Ted Turner, and Jessica Capshaw.

Northwestern University

Northwestern University is based primarily on a campus along the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois. The school has produced some widely recognized public figures, including Meghan Markle.

Northwestern’s other notable alumni: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, David Schwimmer, Stephen Colbert, and George R. R. Martin.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, perched on a terrace overlooking the Connecticut River. Mindy Kaling attended the college and made the most of her time there, contributing to the student magazine and becoming a member of an a cappella singing group.

Dartmouth’s other notable alumni: Meryl Streep, Shonda Rhimes, and Nelson Rockefeller.

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and was founded in 1900 by the Scottish-American industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The university has a strong history of shaping talented individuals, with Ted Danson being one of its most recognizable alumni.

CMU’s other notable alumni: Holly Hunter, Josh Gad, and Judith Light.

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University calls Middletown, Connecticut home and has produced graduates who have gone on to make their mark in areas such as the arts, sciences, literature, government, and business. Film director and producer Michael Bay is among its more prominent former students.

Wesleyan’s other notable alumni: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Amanda Palmer, and Santigold.

Syracuse University

Syracuse University in New York is made up of 13 colleges and schools. Its alumni body has collectively earned three Nobel Prizes and more than 30 Olympic medals over the years. The legendary Lou Reed is one of the most famous musicians to have studied at the institution.

Syracuse’s other notable alumni: Shaquille O’Neal, Vera Farmiga, and Jerry Stiller.

Source: Forbes