Princeton Retains Its Top Spot
In the recently released U.S. News and World Report 2025 Best Colleges Ranking, Princeton University has maintained its position as the premier college in the United States. Following closely are Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) at No. 2, Harvard University, Stanford University, and Yale University rounding out the top five.
Stability in the Rankings
According to LaMont Jones, the managing editor for education at U.S. News, this year’s rankings show little movement, particularly within the top 10.
“Our goal is to provide valuable information that assists students and their families in making informed choices regarding academic reputation, financial considerations, and personal preferences,” Jones stated.
DC Region Highlights
In the Washington, D.C. area, Johns Hopkins University ranks the highest, tied for No. 6 nationally. American University has improved its standing, now tied at No. 91, up from No. 105 last year, thanks to enhancements in student-faculty ratio and faculty research output.
Howard University has re-entered the top 100, now tied for No. 86, attributed to its better graduation rates, especially among students from low-income backgrounds.
Additionally, the University of Virginia and Georgetown University are tied at No. 24, while George Washington University stands at No. 63. Catholic University has climbed seven spots to tie for No. 171, and the University of Maryland is ranked No. 44.
Factors Influencing Rankings
The rankings take into account various factors, including:
- Social mobility
- Graduate debt levels
- Retention and graduation rates of low-income students
- Student-faculty ratio
Jones emphasized the importance of peer assessments, faculty resources, and standardized test scores in evaluating approximately 1,500 colleges and universities across 17 different metrics.
Significant Changes in Rankings
D’Youville University experienced the largest rise in rankings, moving up 61 positions, showcasing the dynamic nature of college evaluations.
The full list is available online.