The 41st edition serves as a year-over-year benchmark for students and families.

WASHINGTON , Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, today announced the 2026 Best Colleges rankings.

Serving as a guide for prospective students and their families, the national and regional rankings evaluate nearly 1,700 colleges and universities using up to 17 measures of academic quality. In a show of continued excellence, eight of the top-ranked schools in the ten ranking categories retained their No. 1 position, with the remaining two finishing a strong second.

"For over four decades, Best Colleges has served as a trusted and data-backed resource for students and families navigating the complex college search process," says LaMont

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