U.S. News & World Report Releases 2025 Best Colleges Rankings, Prioritizing Social Mobility and Post-Graduate Success.
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| U.S. News 2025 Best Colleges Focus on Social Mobility & Success. Image: Shubham/ Unsplash |
Washington, DC, USA – September 24, 2024:
U.S. News & World Report, the leading authority in education rankings, unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 Best Colleges rankings today. This edition places a strong emphasis on social mobility and post-graduate success, aiming to equip students and families with valuable information for making informed college choices.
Nearly 1,500 colleges and universities were evaluated using up to 17 measures of academic quality. Over half of an institution's ranking hinges on outcome measures that assess success in enrolling and graduating students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring manageable debt levels, and fostering strong post-graduate earning potential.
“For 40 years, the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings have been a trusted resource for students and families navigating the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “By incorporating factors like social mobility and post-graduate success, we empower students to find institutions that not only provide a stellar education but also prepare them for thriving careers and fulfilling lives.”
Several universities saw significant ranking improvements this year, including D'Youville University (NY) which jumped 61 spots, the University of Texas – San Antonio (up 49), and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (up 49). Other notable climbers included Andrews University (MI), Eastern Kentucky University, Dominican University New York, Union University (TN), University of North Texas, Winston-Salem State University (NC), and The University of Texas – El Paso.
Beyond the national university rankings, U.S. News provides a comprehensive set of specialized rankings, including best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with the strongest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Additionally, the rankings offer insights into Programs That Enhance Student Experience, encompassing first-year experiences, co-ops/internships, service learning, study abroad opportunities, and undergraduate research/creative projects.
“With the ever-rising cost of higher education, access to the information provided by the U.S. News Best Colleges is more crucial than ever for students and their families,” stated Eric Gertler, executive chairman and CEO of U.S. News. “The rankings data and accompanying content equip students with the knowledge they need to make the best possible college decisions.”
U.S. News goes beyond the rankings, offering a wealth of content related to the college selection experience. This includes valuable advice on topics such as “No Loan” Colleges: What to Know” and “A Look at 20 Years of Tuition Costs at National Universities.”
The 2025 Best Colleges methodology utilizes up to 17 key measures of academic quality for National Universities and 13 indicators for National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges. The formula relies on data universally reported by schools or obtained from reputable third-party sources. Importantly, a school's eligibility for ranking is not contingent on participation in U.S. News' surveys.
A glimpse at the top institutions in some key categories:
2025 Best National Universities - Top 3
1. Princeton University (NJ)
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
3. Harvard University (MA)
2025 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges – Top 3
1. Williams College (MA)
2. Amherst College (MA)
3. Swarthmore College (PA)
2025 Top Public Schools: National Universities – Top 3
1. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
2. University of California, Berkeley
3. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
2025 Top Historically Black Colleges and Universities – Top 3 (tie)
1. Spelman College (GA)
2. Howard University (DC)
3. Florida A&M University (FL)
3. Tuskegee University (AL)
2025 Top Performers on Social Mobility: National Universities – Top 3 (tie)
1. Florida International University (FL)
2. University of California, Riverside
3. California State University, Long Beach
4. University of California, Merced
2025 Top Performers on Social Mobility: National Liberal Arts Colleges – Top 3 (tie)
1. Lake Forest College (IL)
2. Spelman College (GA)
3. Salem College (NC)
U.S. News' education portfolio also includes the Scholarship Finder tool, offering potential and current undergraduate students access to financial aid options and over 18,000 scholarships. Additionally, U.S. News College Compass provides students and their parents with access to the most comprehensive rankings and data.
U.S. News & World Report is a global leader in journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders, and policy officials to make informed decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. As a multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for over 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted source for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers, and consumer products and services.