Top 8 Colleges with the Best Alumni Networks
So you have decided to pursue higher education. What makes you decide on a college?
Is it the academic degree programs? Their football team? Their mentorship opportunities? Or maybe it’s their world-renowned research and faculty (looking at you, UC Berkeley)?
And yes, academics, social culture, and prestige are all important for a student who plans to attend college for four years. However, real-world experiences have become more and more important to employers and students. In the increasingly competitive job market, even degrees from prestigious universities sometimes have a hard time opening doors.
Co-op programs at schools like Northeastern and Georgia Tech, along with strong alumni networks, are essential for getting jobs at top companies like Google or Deloitte. They provide valuable connections to real-world companies and experienced professionals, making it easier to break into competitive industries.
Now that we have established the importance of having alumni networks in college, where does one find the colleges with the strongest alumni networks? Thankfully, Kollegio has created a list of the top 8 alumni networks to save you hours of research. This list is divided into two categories: public and private schools.
To learn more about how to create a balanced college list, check out the Kollegio guide to building a college list.
Public Schools
1) University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Acceptance rate: 17.7% as of 2024
The University of Michigan stands out as a world-renowned research institution, celebrated for both its academic excellence and its iconic football team, the Michigan Wolverines.
With a robust undergraduate population of 33,488 (as of 2023), it’s no surprise that U-M’s alumni network is both vast and influential. Boasting around 540,000 living alumni networks worldwide, the university ranks among the top ten strongest alumni networks globally, according to Collegemagazine.com.
U-M alumni stay deeply engaged through events like the annual Michigan Alumni Service Day, where over 570 clubs come together to fight hunger and support communities, reflecting the Wolverines’ enduring pride and connection to their alma mater.
For further information, go to UMich’s alumni association and explore!
2) Penn State University
Acceptance rate: 54% as of 2024
Another large research university known for its football team, the Nittany Lions, Penn State not only boasts strong engineering and business programs but also one of the largest and most influential alumni networks in the world. With over 700,000 living alumni, the Lions are truly spread across the entire world. The Penn State Alumni Association, founded in 1870, is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world, with more than 170,000 active members.
For further information, the link to Penn State’s alumni association can be found below: https://www.alumni.psu.edu
3) University of California Berkeley
Acceptance rate: 11% as of 2024
One of the top universities in the United States and the world, with 107 Nobel Laureates and a reputation for political activism, it’s no surprise that Berkeley is a dream school for many.
For those who do end up being accepted, the network is amazing, with over 477,000 Golden Bears on LinkedIn and numerous networking events, career services, and associations for alumni.
While the name, prestige, and alumni association will surely open many doors for all majors, the Haas School of Business is known to have the strongest connections and networking success due to the nature and high ranking of the majors it provides.
For further information, the link to UC Berkeley’s alumni association has been provided below: https://alumni.berkeley.edu/
4) Ohio State University
Acceptance rate: 53% as of 2024
Ohio State University is a public R1 classified research university (R1 meaning: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity) with the university's endowment of $7.4 billion in 2023 being among the largest in the world. By now, it is clear that the schools where sports are popular are the schools that alumni are most passionate about and excited to give back. The Ohio State Buckeyes are no exception: their football team fosters a sense of community and school pride, and the Alumni Association organizes events ranging from tailgates and reunions to educational seminars and travel programs that are designed to foster connections and lifelong learning among Buckeyes.
For further information, the link to Ohio State’s alumni association has been provided below:
Private Schools
1) Princeton University
Acceptance rate: 6%
Princeton’s alumni network exemplifies the Ivy League’s prestige, boasting one of the highest alumni giving rates globally. However, what makes it stand out from its Ivy counterparts is its alumni giving rate is one of the highest in the world (Princeton University's 2023-24 Annual Giving campaign raised $66,702,675 according to the Princeton Alumni).
Princeton’s digital alumni portal, TigerNet, is also an extensive resource for networking and maintaining connections. It includes a directory, career services, and groups by geographic location or shared interests.
For further information, the link to Princeton University’s alumni association has been provided below:
https://alumni.princeton.edu/our-community/alumni-association
2) Dartmouth College
Acceptance rate: 6.2% as of 2023
Another Ivy League! Though this school is much smaller, it rivals Princeton in terms of the strength of its alumni network. Dartmouth’s famous Outing Club (an umbrella organization with a whopping 23 outdoor and exercise-related clubs under its wing) utilizes the college’s natural surroundings and is an opportunity for students to find community.
The connections and positive experiences gained there definitely make networking easier both at school and upon graduation (alumni clubs like the Dartmouth Outing Club of Northern California have been established as a means of continuing this feeling of community after graduation).
Dartmouth’s DAN (Dartmouth Alumni Network), an online platform that connects alumni across the globe is incredibly useful as well, allowing graduates to search for alumni, find job opportunities, and access resources to aid in career development.
For further information, the link to Dartmouth’s alumni association has been provided below:
3) Fordham University
Acceptance rate: 54%
Fordham, a Jesuit University with two campuses in Manhattan and the Bronx, is less selective than the two mentioned above but has many perks as well.
Fordham Rams can access a network of regional alumni clubs after graduation, offering professional networking, social events, and community projects in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago - as well as other major cities. These clubs organize social events, professional networking opportunities, and community service projects, all of which serve to strengthen the alumni network and mentor Rams in their career and social lives. The Alumni Travel Program also connects grads on trips to places like Provence, Tanzania, and the Greek Isles.
For more information, the link to Fordham’s alumni association has been provided below:
https://forever.fordham.edu/s/1362/18/home.aspx?sid=1362&gid=1
4) Lehigh University
Acceptance rate: 37%
Located in quaint Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Lehigh is known for its strong academics, especially in business and engineering. The school maintains a strong alumni network due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the very active alumni relations office is crucial in managing and enhancing alumni engagement. It organizes events, provides resources, and maintains communication with alumni, ensuring they are actively connected to each other and the university. Second, Lehigh supports various affinity groups such as the Lehigh Alumni of Color Network and the Lehigh Women’s Network, ensuring mentorship and support for all members of its community.
Unlike many schools, Lehigh grads are committed to their school community even after graduation. William Pemberton, Lehigh class of 2020, sums up this pay-it-forward feeling, stating that “I very much [sees himself] playing the same role that those alumni played for me, post-graduation,” in the Brown and White, Lehigh’s newspaper.
For more information, the link to Lehigh’s alumni association has been provided below:
https://alumni.lehigh.edu/alumni-association
Conclusion
Choosing a college with a strong alumni network can be a game-changer for students aiming to secure valuable professional connections, mentorship opportunities, and potential career paths after graduation. From large public universities like the University of Michigan and Penn State to prestigious Ivy League schools such as Princeton and Dartmouth, each college on this list offers unique benefits that can extend well beyond your academic years. As you create your college list, remember that an engaged and supportive alumni network can open doors in various industries, helping you navigate a competitive job market and build a lifelong professional network. Explore these options with an eye toward the future – a college's alumni network may just be the key to your career success.
If you're ready to take the next step in your college journey, let Kollegio guide you! Sign up at Kollegio for expert insights, personalized college lists, and tools designed to help you succeed in the admissions process (PS - it's free!).
By Polina
