2018 Best Colleges

2018 Best Colleges 

National Universities

Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and Ph.D. programs.

• #1
  Princeton University

  Princeton, NJ
• #2
  Harvard University

  Cambridge, MA
• #3
  University of Chicago (tie)

  Chicago, IL
• #3
  Yale University (tie)

  New Haven, CT

See the full rankings list �

Liberal Arts Colleges

Liberal Arts Colleges emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the liberal arts fields of study.

• #1
  Williams College

  Williamstown, MA
• #2
  Amherst College

  Amherst, MA
• #3
  Bowdoin College (tie)

  Brunswick, ME
• #3
  Swarthmore College (tie)

  Swarthmore, PA
• #3
  Wellesley College (tie)

  Wellesley, MA

See the full rankings list �

More Rankings and Lists

Best Value SchoolsRegional UniversitiesRegional CollegesEngineering ProgramsHistorically Black Colleges and Universities

A-Plus Schools for B StudentsBusiness ProgramsTop Public SchoolsHigh School Counselor Rankings

See All Rankings and Lists

Colleges by State

Choosing the Right College or University

Choosing a college or university to attend is a major life decision, but it�s not one that you have to make alone. U.S. News & World Report�s Best Colleges rankings can take some of the stress out of the school research and selection process and help students find a college that�s a good fit.

The rankings provide a good starting point for students trying to compare schools. The four overall rankings � National Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universitiesand Regional Colleges � are based on factors that indicate academic quality, such graduation rates and faculty resources.

But the best school for each student, experts say, is one that will most completely meet his or her needs, which go beyond academics. This is why U.S. News offers dozens of more-focused rankings and lists to help prospective undergraduate students compare schools based on the qualities that matter most to them, such as ethnic diversity on campus and percent of students who live in university housing.

Chances are, there�s a ranking or list that's relevant to you. For example, veterans can research the schools that are best-equipped to serve them; students interested in historically black colleges and universities can explore the HBCU rankings; andinternational students can learn which schools already have a strong non-U.S. student community on campus.

Affordability is another key consideration for students and their families, so U.S. News created lists of Best Value Schools and schools that award merit aid to the most students. The Paying for College knowledge center offers additional insights and tips about different types of education aid, including grants, loans and scholarships.

sc: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges