U.S. News Reveals 2025 Best Colleges: Princeton, MIT, and Harvard Lead the Pack
In a world where choosing the right college can feel like navigating a maze, U.S. News & World Report has just dropped its 2025 Best Colleges rankings, making that decision a little easier for prospective students and their families.
The rankings, which have been a go-to guide for 40 years, evaluated nearly 1,500 institutions based on 17 academic measures, with a continued emphasis on social mobility and post-graduate success.
With more than 50% of each school's ranking tied to outcomes like graduation rates, debt management, and post-grad earnings, these rankings offer a glimpse into which universities are truly preparing their students for life after the cap and gown.
"Now in its 40th year, the Best Colleges rankings continue to be a trusted source of information for students and their families," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News.
His emphasis on the importance of both social mobility and post-graduation success underscores how this year’s rankings aim to go beyond academic excellence alone.
Some institutions, like D'Youville University in New York, saw a meteoric rise in the rankings, jumping an impressive 61 spots. Others, like the University of Texas – San Antonio and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, weren’t far behind with climbs of 49 positions each.
And it wasn't just the big names getting attention. Smaller institutions like Prairie View A&M University and Boise State University also saw significant upward movement, reinforcing the idea that value can be found in unexpected places.
As Eric Gertler, executive chairman and CEO of U.S. News, puts it, “Given the rising cost of higher education, it is more important than ever that students and their families have access to the information that U.S. News Best Colleges provides.” And with financial pressure being a constant concern for students, the rankings also highlight institutions that excel in areas like value, innovation, and teaching commitment.
Of course, no rankings would be complete without the perennial frontrunners. This year’s top national universities include the usual suspects: Princeton University, MIT, and Harvard University.
List of Top Ranked National Universities for 2025:
NOTE: This list is sourced from USnews.com.
| Rank | University Name | Location | Tuition & Fees | Undergraduate Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | $62,400 | 5,671 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | $62,396 | 4,576 |
| 3 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | $61,676 | 7,110 |
| 4 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | $65,910 | 8,054 |
| 5 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | $67,250 | 6,818 |
| 6 (tie) | California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA | $65,898 | 1,023 |
| 6 (tie) | Duke University | Durham, NC | $69,140 | 6,488 |
| 6 (tie) | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | $65,230 | 6,090 |
| 6 (tie) | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | $68,322 | 8,846 |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | $68,686 | 9,995 |
| 11 (tie) | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | $69,314 | 16,071 |
| 11 (tie) | Brown University | Providence, RI | $69,324 | 7,489 |
| 13 (tie) | Columbia University | New York, NY | $71,312 | 7,741 |
| 13 (tie) | Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | N/A | 8,902 |
| 15 (tie) | University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | $68,019 | 4,447 |
| 15 (tie) | University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | $46,503 (out-of-state) | 33,040 |
| 17 | Rice University | Houston, TX | $51,032 (out-of-state) | 33,405 |
| 18 (tie) | University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | $60,709 | 4,574 |
| 18 (tie) | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | $65,025 | 8,968 |
| 18 (tie) | Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | $67,498 | 7,152 |
| 21 (tie) | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | $65,636 | 7,707 |
| 21 (tie) | Washington University in St. Louis | St. Louis, MO | $63,081 (out-of-state) | 33,730 |
| 21 (tie) | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $65,790 | 8,267 |
| 24 (tie) | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $64,280 | 7,359 |
| 24 (tie) | University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $68,016 | 7,968 |
| 24 (tie) | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | $60,907 (out-of-state) | 17,618 |
- There is a tie for 6th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 18th, and 21st place.
- Tuition and fees listed are for the fall 2023 semester and may vary depending on the student's residency status.
- For the University of California system, in-state and out-of-state tuition is listed.
- Dartmouth College does not provide tuition information on its website.
Now to the report:
In the liberal arts category, Williams College, Amherst College, and Swarthmore College continue to dominate, while the University of California, Los Angeles took top honors as the leading public university.
It’s not just about the big names though. Schools making strides in promoting social mobility — ensuring students from all backgrounds can succeed — have also been spotlighted.
Florida International University and the University of California, Riverside tied for first place among national universities in this category, while Spelman College and Lake Forest College topped the liberal arts rankings.
- The report also brings attention to niche areas like "Programs That Enhance Student Experience," recognizing schools that excel in co-op programs, internships, study abroad, and more.
These additions provide students with a broader understanding of what each institution can offer beyond just a degree.
Wrapping up, U.S. News isn't only about rankings. They’re also focused on offering practical advice for prospective students, like exploring the rise of "No Loan" colleges or understanding 20-year tuition trends at national universities.
And if you're looking for scholarships, U.S. News has you covered with tools that connect students to more than 18,000 financial aid opportunities.
For students and families seeking the complete picture, the 2025 rankings serve as more than just a list—they’re a roadmap to a fulfilling and successful future.
