Stacker, using Niche’s 2026 rankings, compiled a list of the nation’s best public colleges based on academics, admissions, cost and student life. Topping the list were the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor, the University of California–Los Angeles and the University of Virginia.
Your college might be on President Donald Trump's watch list. New federal data shows that 30% of borrowers from for-profit schools are behind on their student loan payments—more than double the rate at public and private institutions. If those numbers don’t improve by next year, some schools could lose access to federal aid.
