What is the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking?

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking is an annual compilation of rankings for colleges and universities located within the United States. It is published by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

When was the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking first published?

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking was first published in 1983. It has since become a highly influential ranking system in the country.

What is a primary criticism leveled against the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking?

A significant criticism is that the rankings have been denounced by numerous education experts. Detractors argue that the rankings rely on self-reported data, which can sometimes be inaccurate or even fraudulent, and that they encourage institutions to prioritize gaming the system over genuine educational quality.

What does the image accompanying the article depict?

The image shows the cover of the 2022 edition of the U.S. News & World Report magazine, specifically featuring its 'Best Colleges Ranking'. This visual element highlights the publication that is the subject of the article.

Approximately how many universities and colleges did U.S. News & World Report rank in its 2023 edition?

In its 2023 edition, U.S. News & World Report ranked close to 1,500 universities and colleges across the United States. This extensive scope reflects the broad reach of the ranking system.

What is the most heavily weighted category in the U.S. News National University rankings for 2023, and what percentage does it account for?

The 'Outcomes' category holds the most weight in the 2023 U.S. News National University rankings, accounting for 52% of the total score. This emphasizes the importance placed on student success after enrollment.

How are graduation and retention rates measured within the 'Outcomes' category of the U.S. News rankings?

Within the 'Outcomes' category, graduation and retention rates are assessed by two sub-factors: the proportion of students earning a degree within six years (weighted at 16%) and the percentage of first-year students who return for their second year (weighted at 5%). These metrics gauge student success and institutional persistence.

What does the 'Graduation rate performance' metric evaluate in the U.S. News National University rankings?

The 'Graduation rate performance' metric compares a university's actual six-year graduation rates against predictions for its entering class. This assesses how well the institution performs relative to its expected outcomes.

How does 'Social mobility' contribute to the U.S. News National University rankings?

Social mobility is measured by evaluating how effectively schools graduate students who received federal Pell Grants, which are typically awarded to students from lower-income backgrounds. It also considers the graduation rates and performance of first-generation students, aiming to assess how well institutions serve and advance students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.

What is the significance of 'Graduate indebtedness' in the U.S. News ranking methodology?

Graduate indebtedness is a factor that accounts for 5% of the 'Outcomes' score. It considers the typical average federal loan debt accumulated by student borrowers, suggesting a focus on the financial burden students face after graduation.

How does 'College Graduate Earning Potential' factor into the U.S. News National University rankings?

This metric, worth 5% of the 'Outcomes' score, assesses the earning potential of college graduates who received federal loans. Specifically, it looks at whether these graduates earn more than a typical high school graduate four years after completing their degrees.

What elements constitute the 'Faculty resources' category in the U.S. News rankings?

The 'Faculty resources' category, which makes up 11% of the ranking, includes three components: faculty salary (6%), the student-faculty ratio (3%), and the proportion of faculty members who are full-time (2%). These factors aim to reflect the quality and accessibility of academic staff.

How is 'Expert opinion' incorporated into the U.S. News National University rankings?

The 'Expert opinion' component, valued at 20%, is determined by surveying college presidents, provosts, and deans of admissions. They are asked to rate the academic quality of peer institutions they are familiar with on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (distinguished).

What does the 'Financial resources' metric assess in the U.S. News rankings?

The 'Financial resources' metric, accounting for 8% of the ranking, evaluates the average spending per student on instruction, research, student services, and other related educational expenditures. This aims to reflect the investment an institution makes in its educational offerings.

How are 'Student selectivity' metrics determined for the U.S. News National University rankings?

Student selectivity is measured by considering the standardized test scores of admitted students and the proportion of admitted students who ranked in the upper percentiles of their high school graduating class. These factors contribute 5% to the overall ranking.

What is the basis for the 'Faculty Research' component in the U.S. News rankings?

The 'Faculty Research' component, worth 4% of the ranking, is based on the number of citations received for papers and research attributed to faculty members while they are employed at the college. This metric aims to quantify the impact and recognition of faculty scholarship.

Into how many main categories are the U.S. News & World Report college rankings divided?

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are divided into four main categories: National Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities, and Regional Colleges. The latter two categories are further subdivided by region (North, South, Midwest, and West).

Which university was identified as the highest-ranked in the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings?

Princeton University was named the highest-ranked university in the 2025-26 U.S. News & World Report rankings. This ranking considered criteria such as degree offerings at undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as research output.

What was the website traffic for usnews.com on the release day of the 2014 rankings?

On the release day of the 2014 rankings, the website usnews.com attracted 2.6 million unique visitors and generated 18.9 million page views. This indicates significant public interest in the rankings.

According to a 2010 University of Michigan study, what effect do U.S. News & World Report rankings have on college applications and admissions?

A 2010 study from the University of Michigan found that U.S. News & World Report rankings significantly influence college applications and admissions. The research indicated a lasting effect, particularly on students within the top 10% of their class, and also noted that rankings were increasingly aligning with survey assessments of reputation among college presidents.

What correlation was found between a university's rank improvement and its applicant numbers in a 2011 study?

A 2011 study indicated that a one-rank improvement in university rankings led to an approximate 0.9% increase in the number of applicants. This suggests a direct relationship between ranking position and institutional attractiveness to prospective students.

Have universities publicly set goals to improve their standing in the U.S. News & World Report rankings?

Yes, several universities have publicly stated goals related to improving their placement in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This demonstrates the significant pressure institutions feel to perform well in these rankings.

What specific actions did Clemson University's president take to achieve a top 20 public university ranking?

In 2001, Clemson University's president, James Frazier Barker, made it a public goal to reach the top 20 among public universities. Actions taken included reducing class sizes and altering the presentation of teacher salaries, aiming to improve the university's performance in the publication's statistical rankings.

How did Arizona State University link its president's compensation to its U.S. News rankings?

In 2007, Arizona State University tied its university president's pay to an increase in the school's placement within the U.S. News rankings. This practice highlights the financial incentives that can be associated with ranking performance.

What was Belmont University's stated objective regarding its U.S. News ranking as part of its Vision 2015 plan?

As part of its Vision 2015 plan, Belmont University's president, Robert Fisher, stated in 2010 that 'Rising to the Top 5 in U.S. News represents a key element of Belmont's Vision 2015 plan.' This indicates a strategic institutional focus on achieving a high ranking.

Which college initiated the movement to boycott the U.S. News & World Report college rankings survey in the 1990s?

Reed College was the first institution to stop submitting its data for the U.S. News & World Report college rankings survey, doing so in 1995. This marked the beginning of a movement by some institutions to withdraw from the survey.

Besides Reed College, which other institutions were noted for criticizing or boycotting the U.S. News survey in the late 1990s?

In addition to Reed College, Alma College, Stanford University, and St. John's College were also noted for criticizing or boycotting the U.S. News & World Report survey during the late 1990s. This indicates a broader dissatisfaction with the ranking system among some educational institutions.

What is a significant concern regarding SAT scores in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings?

A concern is that SAT scores play a role in the rankings, even though U.S. News does not have the authority to formally verify or recalculate the scores submitted by schools. This has led to documented instances where institutions have allegedly misrepresented their SAT scores to achieve a higher ranking.

What did an exposé in the San Francisco Chronicle suggest about the U.S. News & World Report ranking methodology?

An exposé in the San Francisco Chronicle suggested that the elements within the U.S. News & World Report methodology are redundant and are primarily driven by financial incentives. This implies that the ranking criteria may not be purely academic or objective.

What was the National Opinion Research Center's assessment of the U.S. News methodology weights in 2000?

In 2000, the National Opinion Research Center reviewed the U.S. News methodology and stated that the weights assigned to different factors 'lack any defensible empirical or theoretical basis.' This critique questions the scientific or logical foundation of the ranking system's structure.

How did the founder of the U.S. News rankings, Mel Elfin, justify the system's validity?

According to a 2003 New York Times article, when asked how he knew his system was sound, Mel Elfin, the founder of the rankings, often responded that he knew it was valid because top-tier schools like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton consistently ranked at the top. This suggests a circular logic where the ranking confirmed the pre-existing prestige of certain institutions.

What occurred with the California Institute of Technology's ranking when the U.S. News formula was changed in 1999?

When a new lead statistician changed the U.S. News formula in 1999 to one considered more statistically valid, the California Institute of Technology jumped to first place. However, after the statistician left, a modified system was implemented that returned Princeton to the No. 1 position the following year, raising questions about the stability and objectivity of the methodology.

What significant discussion took place among members of the Annapolis Group regarding the U.S. News & World Report survey in 2007?

During their 2007 annual meeting, members of the Annapolis Group discussed a letter urging college presidents not to participate in the 'reputation survey' section of the U.S. News & World Report survey, which constitutes 25% of the ranking. A majority of the presidents present indicated they would not participate in the future.

What was the stated objective of the Annapolis Group concerning college data?

The Annapolis Group stated that its members had agreed to collaborate on developing an alternative common format for presenting college information. This initiative aimed to provide data for students and families in a more useful way for the college search process.

How did U.S. News & World Report editor Robert Morse defend the peer assessment survey?

Robert Morse defended the peer assessment survey by stating that U.S. News firmly believed it held significant value for measuring 'intangibles' not captured by statistical data. He also noted that reputation can influence job prospects and graduate school admissions, and that the survey is a common practice for industry leaders to rate competitors, helping to level the playing field between private and public colleges.

What was Robert Morse's view on the Annapolis Group's proposed alternative data format?

Robert Morse argued that the Annapolis Group's goal of presenting college data in a common format had been attempted before and that U.S. News already provided similar information. He suggested that the proposed initiative by NAICU (National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities) would offer less comparability and functionality than what U.S. News already provided, implying that U.S. News was already leading in this area.

What concern did Michele Tolela Myers, outgoing president of Sarah Lawrence College, raise in 2007 about U.S. News & World Report's handling of SAT scores?

Michele Tolela Myers raised concerns that when U.S. News & World Report did not receive SAT scores for a university, it would assign an invented score approximately one standard deviation below the norm. She estimated this was about 200 SAT points lower than peer colleges, reasoning that test-optional universities might accept less academically capable students due to their policy.

According to Kevin Carey of Education Sector, what are the main drivers of the U.S. News & World Report college rankings?

Kevin Carey asserts that the U.S. News & World Report rankings are largely determined by three factors: fame, wealth, and exclusivity. He believes the system mirrors superficial characteristics of elite institutions rather than focusing on educational quality or student outcomes.

What does Kevin Carey recommend as more important factors for students and parents to consider when choosing a college?

Kevin Carey suggests that parents and students should prioritize researching how well colleges and universities educate their students and how effectively they prepare them for success after graduation. He believes these aspects are more crucial than the prestige indicated by rankings.

How did Peter Sacks of The Huffington Post characterize the U.S. News rankings in 2011?

In a 2011 article, Peter Sacks criticized the U.S. News rankings' focus on test scores and denounced the 'best colleges' list as a scam. He argued that the rankings disregard what students actually learn, their intellectual and ethical growth, and the institution's contribution to the public good, instead perpetuating inequality.

What specific criticism did a Columbia University professor make in 2022 regarding the university's ranking data?

In 2022, a professor at Columbia University, Michael Thaddeus, challenged the validity of the university's ranking data. His report revealed that Columbia University had misreported data to U.S. News & World Report, leading to a significant drop in its ranking from second to 18th place.

What was U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona's view on ranking systems like U.S. News in 2022?

In 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona described ranking systems similar to U.S. News as 'a joke.' He stated that these systems have fostered an 'unhealthy obsession with selectivity' and called for a 'culture change' in higher education.

What reason did the dean of Yale Law School provide for the school's withdrawal from the U.S. News rankings?

The dean of Yale Law School stated that the U.S. News rankings were 'profoundly flawed' and that their approach not only fails to advance the legal profession but actively hinders progress. This marked a significant departure from a long-standing participation in the rankings.

Which other prominent law schools joined Yale Law School in withdrawing from the U.S. News rankings?

Following Yale Law School's withdrawal, Harvard Law School and UC Berkeley School of Law quickly announced their participation cessation. Subsequently, law schools at Georgetown, Columbia, Stanford, the University of Michigan, Duke, Northwestern, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Davis, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Washington, and New York University also withdrew, citing similar reasons.

As of 2023, what is the general trend regarding undergraduate schools joining the boycott of U.S. News rankings initiated by graduate schools?

As of 2023, few undergraduate schools had followed the lead of the graduate schools in withdrawing from the U.S. News rankings. The New York Times noted in September 2023 that this reflects the persistent 'psychic hold' these rankings maintain on American higher education, serving as an easy tool to attract applicants.

How were the changes made to the U.S. News ranking factors in 2023 perceived by critics?

The changes to the U.S. News ranking factors released with the 2023-24 edition were criticized by many as insufficient evidence of meaningful reform. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, viewed the abrupt shifts in results as further proof that rankings are unreliable indicators of quality.

Which medical schools announced their withdrawal from cooperation with U.S. News & World Report rankings in January 2023?

In January 2023, the medical schools at Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai all announced they would cease cooperating with the U.S. News & World Report rankings. This followed the trend of withdrawal seen in law schools.

What reason did Columbia University provide for its undergraduate schools no longer participating in the U.S. News rankings?

Columbia University stated that its undergraduate schools would no longer participate in the U.S. News rankings because such rankings unduly influence applicants and 'distill a university’s profile into a composite of data categories.' This decision followed revelations that the university had submitted faulty data in the past.

What was the impact on Columbia University's undergraduate ranking after the 2022 revelations of faulty data submission?

Following the February 2022 revelations by Professor Michael Thaddeus that Columbia University had submitted faulty data, its undergraduate program's ranking dropped significantly from second to 18th place in the 2022-2023 rankings. This highlights the sensitivity of rankings to data accuracy.

What are some of the other ranking systems mentioned in the article?

The article mentions several other ranking systems, including Forbes' 'America's Top Colleges,' the Academic Ranking of World Universities, the QS World University Rankings, and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, among others listed in the 'See also' and 'University ranking systems' navbox.

U.s. News World Report Best Colleges Ranking Wiki: The Ranking Reckoning: Navigating U.S. College Metrics

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Overview

Annual Publication

The U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking is an annual compilation of rankings for colleges and universities across the United States, first introduced in 1983. It has become arguably the most influential institutional ranking system within the country.

Influence and Reach

Studies indicate that these rankings significantly influence college applications and admissions, particularly for students in the top academic tiers. Universities themselves often set strategic goals tied to improving their position in the U.S. News rankings, reflecting its perceived importance in the higher education landscape.

Categorization

The rankings are segmented into four primary categories to provide a more nuanced comparison:

National Universities
Liberal Arts Colleges
Regional Universities (further divided by region: North, South, Midwest, West)
Regional Colleges (also divided by region)

Methodology

Key Metrics (2023 National Universities)

The ranking methodology is complex, assigning weights to various factors. For the 2023 National Universities edition, the primary components and their approximate weights were:

Outcomes (52%): Graduation/retention rates (21%), graduation rate performance (10%), social mobility (11%), graduate indebtedness (5%), graduate earning potential (5%).
Faculty Resources (11%): Faculty salary (6%), student-faculty ratio (3%), proportion of full-time faculty (2%).
Expert Opinion (20%): Peer assessment survey of academic quality.
Financial Resources (8%): Average per-student spending on educational expenditures.
Student Selectivity (5%): Standardized test scores and high school class rank of admitted students.
Faculty Research (4%): Citations of faculty research papers.

Note: Weights are approximate and may vary slightly year to year.

Data Integrity Concerns

A significant point of contention is the reliance on self-reported data by institutions. Several instances have surfaced where universities have been accused of misreporting or fabricating data (e.g., SAT scores, faculty data) to improve their rankings, leading to reputational damage and scrutiny.

Concerns have been raised regarding the validity and potential manipulation of self-reported data. For example, Columbia University's ranking was significantly adjusted after a professor revealed discrepancies in its submitted data. This highlights the inherent challenges in verifying the accuracy of information provided by the institutions themselves.

Current Rankings

Top Performers

For the 2025-26 academic year, U.S. News & World Report identified Princeton University as the highest-ranked institution among National Universities. This ranking considers a broad spectrum of factors including degree offerings and research output.

Geographic Distribution

The rankings also provide a visual representation of the geographic distribution of top-tier universities across the United States. This map illustrates the locations of several highly-ranked institutions, offering a spatial perspective on higher education concentration.

Princeton

MIT

Harvard

Stanford

Yale

Caltech

Duke

Johns Hopkins

Northwestern

Pennsylvania

Cornell

Chicago

Brown

Columbia

Dartmouth

California, Los Angeles

California, Berkeley

Rice

Notre Dame

Vanderbilt

Carnegie Mellon

Michigan

WashU

Emory

Georgetown

class=notpageimage|

Top Universities in the U.S.

Impact on Applications

Driving Applications

The U.S. News rankings demonstrably influence student application behavior. A study from the University of Michigan indicated that rankings significantly affect institutional applications and admissions, with a notable impact on students within the top academic percentiles.

Institutional Goals

Many universities actively pursue higher rankings as a strategic objective. This pursuit can lead to specific institutional changes, such as reducing class sizes or altering how faculty data is presented, to better align with the ranking criteria and improve their perceived status.

Criticism & Controversy

Methodological Flaws

Critics argue the rankings rely on questionable data, encourage "gamesmanship," imply false precision, and prioritize superficial characteristics like wealth and exclusivity over educational quality or student learning outcomes. Some experts have characterized the system as a "scam" that perpetuates inequality.

Reliance on self-reported, potentially inaccurate data.
Incentivizing institutions to manipulate data for higher ranks.
Overemphasis on prestige and selectivity, neglecting core educational values.
The weights assigned to metrics are often seen as lacking empirical or theoretical justification.
A perceived "psychic hold" on higher education, influencing decisions irrespective of actual quality.

Boycotts and Withdrawals

A significant movement against the rankings has emerged, with numerous institutions, particularly law and medical schools, withdrawing their participation. Yale Law School's 2022 decision to cease participation, citing flawed methodology, sparked a wave of similar withdrawals from institutions like Harvard Law, UC Berkeley Law, and several top medical schools.

Law Schools: Yale, Harvard, UC Berkeley, Columbia, Stanford, University of Michigan, Duke, NYU, Georgetown, and others.
Medical Schools: Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Undergraduate: Columbia University announced its withdrawal for undergraduate schools in 2023.

Despite these boycotts, U.S. News continues to publish rankings, and the overall influence on applicants remains substantial.

Official Scrutiny

High-level officials have publicly criticized the ranking system. In 2022, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona described ranking systems akin to U.S. News as a "joke," highlighting concerns about an "unhealthy obsession with selectivity" and the need for a cultural shift in higher education assessment.

Related Rankings

Global Perspective

Beyond domestic rankings, U.S. News & World Report also publishes a "Best Global Universities" ranking, alongside numerous other international ranking systems like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

Other U.S. Rankings

Several other publications and organizations provide college rankings in the U.S., each with its own methodology and focus. Notable examples include the Forbes "America's Top Colleges" list and the Washington Monthly college rankings, which often emphasize different criteria.

References

Source Material

The content presented here is derived from the Wikipedia article on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking. The following citations are integral to the information provided:

Study Aids

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Ranking Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. The information provided is not a substitute for professional academic advising, institutional research, or direct consultation with educational institutions.

This is not academic or financial advice. Always consult official university resources and qualified educational advisors for decisions regarding college selection and application.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Ranking Reckoning

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Overview ℹ️

📅 Annual Publication

📈 Influence and Reach

🏛️ Categorization

Methodology ⚙️

⚖️ Key Metrics (2023 National Universities)

📊 Data Integrity Concerns

Current Rankings 🏆

⭐ Top Performers

🗺️ Geographic Distribution

Impact on Applications 🚀

📝 Driving Applications

🎯 Institutional Goals

Criticism & Controversy ⚠️

🧐 Methodological Flaws

🚫 Boycotts and Withdrawals

🗣️ Official Scrutiny

Related Rankings 🔗

🌍 Global Perspective

🇺🇸 Other U.S. Rankings

References 📚

📜 Source Material

Study Aids 💡

🧠 Key Concepts

Test Your Knowledge ❓

✍️ Assess Your Understanding

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References

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

Annual Publication

Influence and Reach

Categorization

Methodology

Key Metrics (2023 National Universities)

Data Integrity Concerns

Current Rankings

Top Performers

Geographic Distribution

Impact on Applications

Driving Applications

Institutional Goals

Criticism & Controversy

Methodological Flaws

Boycotts and Withdrawals

Official Scrutiny

Related Rankings

Global Perspective

Other U.S. Rankings

References

Source Material

Study Aids

Key Concepts

Test Your Knowledge

Assess Your Understanding

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice