Says BI, “With the rapidly rising price of college tuition, many top students are realizing you don't need to pay an arm and a leg for a quality education, and that state schools are just as great."

BI says it compiled the ranking based on Niche’s lists of smartest girls and smartest guys.

According to Niche’s website, it provides in-depth reviews and analysis on colleges and K-12 schools in the United States. Founded in 2002 by Carnegie Mellon University students as College Prowler, the company has since grown into one of the largest content startups in the country, Niche says.