Credit: YourTango

According to U.S. News & World Report + YourTango, these universities are the newest  man-meeting hot spots

It’s been — ahem — awhile since my college days. But unless my memory is hazy (which, admittedly, it may be given that there was nothing to do but drink beer and eat pizza at sleepy old Alfred University) I don’t remember meeting any particularly amazing men there. Sure, there were guys who had the potential to become amazing artists, but that’s about it. Our football team? A joke. The frats? Ditto. My point is that I wish this list had existed when I was an undergrad. ‘The list’ being YourTango and U.S. News & World Report‘s guide to the hottest collegiate guys on the planet. Intrigued yet?

The only hot guys I ever saw at Alfred

You should be. The team at YourTango looked at US News’ list of the best national universities. Then they checked out PayScale.com’s list of graduated studies, factored in alumni generosity and campus beauty and subtracted party schools to present you with the top ten schools to meet a mate.

Apparently, the number of co-eds who meet their future husbands in college is the lowest it’s ever been. All I can say to that is: most of the women I knew at uni (re: most of my sorority sisters) met their hubbys there. Do I condone it? So although the number of women who meet their future husbands at school is the lowest it’s ever been, don’t give up hope: just attend Alfred (FYI, this is not a plug for my alma mater, especially as I only remember two truly hot men: Ben Puma and Head Wound Harry, I salute you).

# 1 Amherst College (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Do you like the literary type? I do. You’ll probably meet him here. Famous novelists like David Foster Wallace and Scott Turow got their degrees at this school, which ranked at number three in the list of best liberal arts colleges in America. Mid-career salaries hover at $107,000 and this small school breeds big alumni loyalty—almost 60 percent give back some of that salary to their alma-mater each year.

#2 California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, California)

If the super-modern SoCal campus isn’t enough to attract you, 62 percent of grads at this science and engineering-focused school are men. This means a recent grad may be new to dating — but that also means he’s trainable, too. Score! The school boasts one of the highest mid-career salaries in the country—$123,000 ($69,600 starting) and is ranked number seven in national universities. CEOs from mega-tech companies companies like Intel and Compaq have graduated from here, so if you’re into the nerdy scientist type, this is definitely your place.

#3 Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota)

This small liberal arts colleges is an academic powerhouse, ranking at number eight on the best liberal arts colleges list with a solid salary ranking ($98,300, one of the highest in its category). It’s male alumni are totally generous, too: almost two-thirds of grads share part of this in the form of alumni giving. Half of the students come from the Midwest, so if you’re looking for a smart guy from the area, this is your school.

#4 Duke (Durham, North Carolina)

Some successful, powerful and rich guys went here—including billionaire and visionary Bill Gates and president of CBS News Sean McManus. While not everyone that graduated from here helms a company like Microsoft, the average mid-career salary for graduates is $113,000. Also, academically, the school ranks 10th in national universities. When it comes to attractive mates, Duke is where you’ll find them.

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#5 Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts)

This is another school with a rep for being academically rigorous (read: a lot of work, not so much play). But we’re not talking about frat parties and weekend hookups here…we’re talking about life partners. With a number one ranking in national universities and a mid-career salary of $116,000, these are some solid stats. If you’re interested in building a brainy brood, you’ll be happy to hear that only 30 percent of applicants are admitted — which is more than four times the usual admittance rate. Oh, yeah, and that’s Matt Damon in the middle of his Harvard brahs. Don’t you just want to turn back the clock?

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#6 Harvey Mudd (Claremont, California)

Harvey Mudd is another top liberal arts school located in sunny California. In addition to the outdoor lifestyle and SoCal climate, Harvey Mudd made the college hubby cheat sheet thanks to its successful grads earning an average of $121,000 mid-career (most find success in the fields of science, engineering or math). Many exams are of the take-home variety and are overseen by an honor code—so maybe HM breeds more honest, reliable guys? Now there’s a theory worth analyzing.

#7 Princeton (Princeton, New Jersey)

You might have an image of Princeton-ites as buttoned-up prepsters, but consider this: Dean Cain and David Duchovny both went there. Is your perception changing at all? Right. Now that we’ve established the fineness factor, take into account that this Ivy ranks number one in earning power of graduates, with a $130,000 mid-career average. Academically it’s ranked number two in national universities and breeds some super-generous guys—60 percent of grads give to the school. Invited to the reunion this year? It was voted the 4th most beautiful campus by the Princeton Review.

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#8 Stanford University (Palo Alto, California)

If you’re a California girl, a son of Stanford may be your match made in uni heaven. Ranked number five in national universities, mid-career salaries are a very healthy $112,000. Stanford has won the NACDA Directors’ Cup, given to the college with the most athletic success, for the past 17 years. Hoping to marry a smart and sporty partner? Stake out a Stanford man.

#9 University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)

Future wannabe mommies of the Fighting Irish, listen up: almost a quarter of recently admitted students were legacies. Their parents aren’t too shabby, either, with a mid-career salary average of $107,00. The school ranks number 18 in national universities. And for bonus points if you’re not into frat guys, good news—there is no Greek life on Notre Dame’s campus.

#10 Williams College (Williamstown, Massachusetts)

According to CollegeProwler.com, it’s said that 50 percent of Williams grads marry another alum…doesn’t take a quick study to analyze these probabilities. Here’s what you need to know—it’s the number one ranked liberal arts college in the country, and mid-career salaries are $105,000 (which is the 5th highest for liberal arts schools nationally). A whopping 59 percent have contributed to the school’s sizable endowment, meaning Williams turns out some very loyal guys. Oh yeah, and there’s a summertime theatre company where celebs like Justin Long and Gwyneth Paltrow have spent their summers…and it’s the hometown of Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky. Random facts, I know, but I’m just sayin’…

Credit: Flickr/j_brittin