Growth funds become a natural choice for investors when capital appreciation over the long term takes precedence over dividend payouts. These funds focus on realizing an appreciable amount of capital growth by investing in stocks of firms whose values are projected to rise over the long term. However, a relatively higher tolerance to risk and the willingness to park funds for the longer term are necessary prerequisites of investing in these securities. This is because they may experience relatively more fluctuations than other fund classes. Meanwhile, large-cap funds are an ideal investment option for investors looking for high-return potential that comes with lower risk than small-cap and mid-cap funds. These funds have exposure to large-cap stocks, providing long-term performance history and assuring more stability than what mid caps or small caps offer.

Below we will share with you 5 top-ranked large-cap growth mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) as we expect these mutual funds to outperform their peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all large-cap growth funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Nationwide Growth A (NMFAX - MF report) seeks long-term capital appreciation. NMFAX invests in common stocks of large-cap and mid-cap companies. NMFAX invests in those companies whose earnings are anticipated to grow at a faster rate than those of other companies. NMFAX may get involved in frequent trading of portfolio securities. The Nationwide Growth A fund returned 10.1% in the last one year.

As of September 2015, NMFAX held 82 issues with 7.07% of its assets invested in Apple Inc.

Nuveen Growth A (NSAGX - MF report) invests a major portion of its assets in equity securities of companies having market capitalizations similar to companies listed in the Russell 1000 Index. NSAGX may invest up to 25% of net assets in non-US equity securities that are US dollar-denominated. The Nuveen Growth A fund returned 10.7% in the last one year.

Robert C. Doll is the fund manager and has managed NSAGX since 2012.

Goldman Sachs Large Cap Growth Insights A (GLCGX - MF report) seeks long-term capital appreciation. GLCGX invests a large portion of its assets in a broadly diversified portfolio of equity investments in large-cap US issuers and non-US issuers traded in the US. The Goldman Sachs Large Cap Growth Insights A fund returned 10.6% in the last one year.

GLCGX has an expense ratio of 0.96% as compared to the category average of 1.19%

T. Rowe Price Tax-Efficient Equity (PREFX - MF report) invests in high-quality companies that are believed to have impressive fundamentals, revenue growth, earnings and strong management. Though PREFX invests primarily in domestic companies, it may also invest in non-US companies. The T. Rowe Price Tax-Efficient Equity fund returned 13.6% in the last one year.

Donald J. Peters is the fund manager and has managed PREFX since 2000.

Vanguard US Growth Investor (VWUSX - MF report) seeks long-term growth of capital. VWUSX invests in large-capitalization stocks of seasoned US companies with records of superior growth. VWUSX chooses companies with strong positions in their markets and reasonable financial strength. The management invests in stocks of large capitalization companies that offer the best available combination of relative earnings growth and attractive valuation. VWUSX distributes dividends and capital gains in December. The Vanguard US Growth Investor fund returned 14.2% in the last one year.

VWUSX has an expense ratio of 0.44% as compared to the category average of 1.19%.