U.S. News & World Report‘s latest college rankings are out and a handful of institutions rocketed up the charts thanks to a formula tilted more in favor of schools that succeed in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds.
More than 50% of a college’s or university’s ranking is based on metrics related to the success of diverse students and the earnings of graduates. This year, U.S. News gave more weight to the performance and graduation rate of a school’s Pell Grant recipients. Before we get to the full U.S. News 2025 best college rankings, here’s a look at the institutions that made the biggest moves:
- D’Youville University (NY) +61 spots
- University of Texas–San Antonio +49
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University +49
- Andrews University (MI) +47
- Eastern Kentucky University +41
- Dominican University New York +40
- Union University (TN) +40
- University of North Texas +40
- Winston-Salem State University (NC) +40
- The University of Texas – El Paso +38
- Florida Institute of Technology +38
- Augusta University (GA) +36
- Boise State University (ID) +36
- Prairie View A&M University +36
- The Master’s University and Seminary (CA) +36
- Wichita State University (KS) +36
- Mary Baldwin University (VA) +34
- Mount St. Joseph University +34
Within the top 10, there were no new entrants though Brown University slipped from No. 9 in 2024 to No. 13 in 2025. The University of Pennsylvania also fell four spots to No. 10 and there was a four-way tie at No. 6 between the California Institute of Technology, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and Northwestern University.
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U.S. News did not attribute the movement solely to achievement by students from all backgrounds but the publication is acknowledging “opposition” to its rankings.
“By considering factors such as social mobility and post-graduate success, we aim to help students choose schools that not only provide a quality education but also prepare them for a successful and fulfilling future,” LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News, said in a statement.
The 2025 U.S. News rankings includes some special categories, such as best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities.
Here’s an overview the 2025 rankings:
National Universities:
- Princeton University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Harvard University in Massachusetts
- Stanford University in California
- Yale University in Connecticut
National Liberal Arts Colleges:
- Williams College in Massachusetts
- Amherst College in Massachusetts
- Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
- United States Naval Academy
- Tie: Bowdoin College, Pomona College
Top Public Schools: National Universities
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Top Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Spelman College
- Howard University
- Tie: Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University
Top Performers on Social Mobility: National Universities
- Tie: Florida International University, University of California, Riverside
- Tie: California State University, Long Beach; University of California, Merced
Top Performers on Social Mobility: National Liberal Arts Colleges
- Tie: Lake Forest College, Spelman College
- Salem College
