The Top 10 Colleges for Members of Congress

Introduction

Charlie Archambault for USN&WR

Congress's current class is an educated bunch. Almost 95 percent of those serving in the 111th Congress have earned at least a bachelor's degree, with some of their alma maters holding a firm presence on Capitol Hill. Here are the schools that can claim the greatest number of congressional alums from among today's lawmakers.

1. Harvard University

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Often celebrated as an academic gateway to future success, the nation's first college housed fewer than 3 percent of the 111th Congress as undergraduates. Fifteen members, the most of any college, of the legislature's current class earned bachelor's degrees from Harvard, though many more earned business and law degrees from the university's graduate schools. Here are the members who have a bachelor's from Harvard:

—See where Schumer's campaign cash comes from.

2. Stanford University

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On the other side of the country, 11 current congressmen called Stanford home during their undergraduate days. And more than half of them represent a state other than California.

—See who gives the most to Baucus.

3. Yale University

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Ten members of Congress, four members of the House and five Senate Democrats plus one Independent, including 2004 presidential hopeful John Kerry, went to Yale University. (And along with Harvard, Yale is one of only two Ivy League giants to make this list.)

—See which industries give the most to Kerry.

4. University of California—Los Angeles

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Nine of California's 53 representatives were Bruins at the University of California—Los Angeles. Democratic representatives Judy Chu and Brad Sherman both graduated in 1974.

—See where Waxman's campaign cash comes from.

5. (TIE) Georgetown University

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Just across town from their future congressional offices, seven legislators from seven different states took bachelor's degrees from Georgetown, which rose above a handful of Washington, D.C.-based colleges to make this list.

—See which industries give the most to Murkowski.

5. (TIE) University of Florida

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With the four other schools tied for fifth, the University of Florida in Gainesville can boast seven alums from the 111th Congress. And all but one, Colorado Democrat Betsy Markey, are representatives from the Sunshine State.

—See where Putnam's campaign cash comes from.

5. (TIE) University of Georgia

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The University of Georgia is another college attended by seven members of Congress, including both of Georgia's senators, Republicans Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.

—See where Chambliss gets his campaign cash.

5. (TIE) University of Wisconsin—Madison

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Wisconsin Senators Russ Feingold and Herb Kohl both earned their bachelor's at the University of Wisconsin. Feingold and Kohl are among the seven members of Congress to earn their diplomas at the state's main public research college.

—See where Feingold's campaign cash comes from.

9. University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill

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Six former Tar Heels sit in the House of Representatives. (Tennessee Republican Rep. Zach Wamp attended the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill but didn't graduate.)

—See who donates to Miller's campaign.

10. (TIE) Brigham Young University

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This private Mormon-owned university in Utah can count five Congressional leaders as alums. Even non-voting member Eni Faleomavaega, who represents American Samoa, was a BYU Cougar in his day, initially earning his associate's degree at the university's Hawaii campus.

—See which industries give the most to Hatch.

10. (TIE) George Washington University

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Two current senators and three members of the House eyed the dome of the Capitol from across town at George Washington University, the other Washington, D.C. university to make the list.

—See where Warner's campaign cash comes from.

10. (TIE) Louisiana State University

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The Baton Rouge campus of Louisiana State University awarded bachelor's degrees to five incumbent lawmakers.

—See who is giving to Landrieu's campaign.

10. (TIE) University of California—Berkeley

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Another of the 10 schools in the University of California system ties for the final spot on our list. Five members of the House attended University of California—Berkeley.

10. (TIE) University of Missouri

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Missouri Republican Rep. Sam Graves earned his bachelor's degree in 1986 and joined the class of five current lawmakers who were once undergraduates at University of Missouri.

—See which industries give the most to McCaskill.

10. (TIE) University of Tennessee

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Five graduates of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville have made their way into the halls of Congress. Among them: former NFL star and current North Carolina Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler, who tossed around the pigskin for the Volunteers.

—See where DeMint's campaign cash comes from.

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The Top 10 Colleges for Members of Congress

What schools can claim the greatest number of congressional alums from among today's lawmakers?

Introduction

1. Harvard University

2. Stanford University

3. Yale University

4. University of California—Los Angeles

5. (TIE) Georgetown University

5. (TIE) University of Florida

5. (TIE) University of Georgia

5. (TIE) University of Wisconsin—Madison

9. University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill

10. (TIE) Brigham Young University

10. (TIE) George Washington University

10. (TIE) Louisiana State University

10. (TIE) University of California—Berkeley

10. (TIE) University of Missouri

10. (TIE) University of Tennessee