Best colleges 2020: The best college in every state

What is the best college in each state in 2020?

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has turned college life on its head. Hallowed halls have been replaced with Zoom lectures, Saturday-morning tailgates with isolated Netflix binges.

Some campuses have opted to begin the semester online, while others brought students back to campus under strict social-distancing guidelines. A few schools moved students into dorms only to abruptly send them home when clusters of coronavirus emerged during the first weeks of classes.

But it's not all bad news for young people looking forward to having a full-fledged college experience. For those willing to wait, students at these 50 schools have a lot to look forward to when the pandemic subsides.

For this list, the data analytics website Niche dug into federal data on academics, admissions, value, and student life, along with millions of reviews from students and alumni.

Harvard (yes, that Harvard) didn't even make the cut. Keep going to find out which college is the best in your state.

Alabama - Auburn University

Auburn ranks as No. 1 in Alabama.

Alaska - University of Alaska, Anchorage

There isn't enough data available for Niche to rank Alaska's schools, but U.S. News & World Report has named this school as the best in the state for 2020. 

Arizona - Arizona State University

One student review raved about the campus, calling it "clean and green." 

Arkansas - University of Arkansas

"Spirited" is the word a majority of students chose to describe this school, which is home to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

California - Stanford University

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns spoke at the 2016 commencement ceremony at Stanford University, known for funneling students to success in Silicon Valley and beyond. One student said it "lives up to the hype." 

Colorado - Colorado College

This school has an acceptance rate of about 15 percent. Here, President Barack Obama is seen during a 2012 visit to the Colorado Springs campus. 

Connecticut - Yale University

This Ivy League school has a graduation rate of 98 percent -- almost double the national average.

Delaware - University of Delaware

Former Vice President Joe Biden's alma mater has been named the top university in Delaware. 

Florida - University of Florida

The school in Gainesville was also ranked No. 1 on the list of best college athletics in America. 

Georgia - Emory University

This school, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, was also named the best Christian college in America. 

Hawaii - Brigham Young University, Hawaii

The yearly net cost for this branch of the Mormon university is listed by Niche as $12,319.

Idaho - University of Idaho

"The University of Idaho has a copious amount of support," one student commented.  

Illinois - Northwestern University

The university in a Chicago suburb is known for its famous communications and performing arts schools. 

Indiana - University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame is also ranked the top Catholic school in the country. 

Iowa - Grinnell College

Students at this liberal arts school enjoy a philosophy of self-governance, in which they are expected to hold themselves and their peers accountable for being good citizens. 

Kansas - University of Kansas

For the 2019 ranking, this university replaced Kansas State as the No. 1 college in Kansas.

Kentucky - University of Kentucky

Niche gives this school an A+ in athletics.

Louisiana - Tulane University

The New Orleans university was also named the top party school in America. 

Maine - Bowdoin College

The college of about 1,800 students has the No. 2 spot on Niche's list of the best liberal arts colleges in America, behind Pomona College.

Maryland - Johns Hopkins University

This school, especially prominent in the sciences, has a 94 percent graduation rate, almost double the national average of 48 percent.

Massachusetts - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is ranked No. 1 on the list of best value colleges in America. 

Michigan - University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

This school is also ranked the top public university in America. 

Minnesota - Carleton College

The school has no application fee and is ranked as the third-best school in the country without one, behind only the University of Chicago and West Point.

Mississippi - Mississippi State University

"I would definitely choose to go here again; the atmosphere is so awesome," said one student. 

Missouri - Washington University in St. Louis

The school ranks as having the best campus in America. It's also top school for studying architecture.

Montana - Montana State University

Students at this welcoming school are reported to have average SAT scores between 1090-1300.

Nebraska - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Ninety-five percent of students have a job within two years of graduating. 

Nevada - University of Nevada-Reno

Students rave about the health center and fitness facilities on the campus of this school. 

New Hampshire - Dartmouth College

The school has a 94 percent graduation rate. 

New Jersey - Princeton University

The school accepts only 7 percent of applicants, making it one of the most selective in the nation.

New Mexico - New Mexico Institute of Mining & Technology

The school specializes in sciences and engineering majors. 

New York - Columbia University

The university is the eighth-hardest to get into in the nation, with an acceptance rate of 7 percent. 

North Carolina - Duke University

Duke was also named the best college for student athletes in America. 

North Dakota - North Dakota State University

Students at this school are described as "friendly, motivated, intelligent and hard working" by fellow students. 

Ohio - Kenyon College

English is the most popular major at this school, which has no application fee. It replaces Case Western University as the best college in Ohio for 2019.

Oklahoma - University of Tulsa

One student described the school of about 3,500 students as "small but mighty." 

Oregon - Reed College

Students at this Portland school are described most by their peers as "intellectual."

Pennsylvania - University of Pennsylvania

The school is also ranked first in the country for both business studies and nursing studies. 

Rhode Island - Brown University

The school has a 96 percent graduation rate.

South Carolina - Clemson University

Students are described by their peers as "spirited" and "committed" to the school. 

South Dakota - Augustana University

"Augustana is truly the place for possibilities. It's not just a marketing slogan; they're being serious," said one freshman, who called the professors "awesome" and the students "welcoming."

Tennessee - Vanderbilt University

The school is also ranked the top in the country for studying education.

Texas - Rice University

The school is also No. 1 on the list for studying physical therapy and No. 2 for architecture.

Utah - Brigham Young University

"I wouldn't want to go anywhere else," said one junior. "The student life is awesome, there are always things going on, just about everyone you pass on campus is friendly, and the overall atmosphere is uplifting and positive."

Vermont - Middlebury College

Students describe their peers as "passionate, intellectual, quirky and athletic."

Virginia - University of Virginia

The school replaces Washington & Lee University this year as Niche's best college in Virginia. 

Washington - University of Washington

Nearly half of students describe their classmates as "concerned about grades but willing to have fun."

Washington, D.C. - Georgetown University

Political science and government is the most popular major at this school in the nation's capital.

West Virginia - West Virginia University

One student described the campus community as "close-knit."

Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin, Madison

Many students said the motto "work hard play hard" sums up the attitude at this school. 

Wyoming - University of Wyoming

"One of the best things about this university is that everyone is so involved with the school," one student said.