2026 Rankings

Best Colleges in America

Data-driven rankings of 5,365 colleges based on student outcomes, retention, and program quality

5,365
Schools Ranked
3,451
Full Data Rankings
1,914
Partial Data Rankings
5
Ranking Criteria
Rankings based on IPEDS data: completion rates, retention, program productivity, breadth, and institutional scale.
View Methodology

Top Colleges

Showing 1-50 of 5,365 ranked schools

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#1

Durham, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.1 / 100
89.1
Completion
96%
99%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
8043 completions
67%

Duke University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 17,112 students with in-state tuition of $63,450.

96% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#2

Chicago, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.2 / 100
88.2
Completion
93.9%
98%
Retention
99%
93%
Productivity
7680 completions
62%

University of Chicago is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 18,339 students with in-state tuition of $63,801.

94% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#3

Evanston, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.5 / 100
87.5
Completion
95.9%
99%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
10406 completions
65%

Northwestern University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 23,203 students with in-state tuition of $64,887.

96% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#4

Saint Louis, MO

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86 / 100
86
Completion
83.5%
93%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
6480 completions
60%

Washington University in St Louis is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 98th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 16,500 students with in-state tuition of $61,750.

84% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 93rd percentile nationally for completion.

#5

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.9 / 100
84.9
Completion
73%
85%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
22340 completions
60%

New York University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 57,335 students with in-state tuition of $60,438.

73% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 85th percentile nationally for completion.

#6

Ann Arbor, MI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
84.6 / 100
84.6
Completion
88.1%
95%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
17171 completions
51%

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 85, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 52,065 students with in-state tuition of $17,977.

88% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 95th percentile nationally for completion.

#7

Rochester, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
84.4 / 100
84.4
Completion
86.8%
95%
Retention
93%
87%
Productivity
4369 completions
56%

University of Rochester is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 97th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 12,160 students with in-state tuition of $63,150.

87% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 95th percentile nationally for completion.

#8

Gainesville, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
84.3 / 100
84.3
Completion
79.3%
90%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
19345 completions
55%

University of Florida is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 100th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 54,814 students with in-state tuition of $4,477.

79% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 90th percentile nationally for completion.

#9

Charlottesville, VA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
84 / 100
84
Completion
85.1%
94%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
10004 completions
59%

University of Virginia-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 97th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 25,924 students with in-state tuition of $18,823.

85% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 94th percentile nationally for completion.

#10

Medford, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.7 / 100
83.7
Completion
95.2%
98%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
4879 completions
57%

Tufts University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 84, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,274 students with in-state tuition of $66,358.

95% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#11

Nashville, TN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
83.2 / 100
83.2
Completion
94.5%
98%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
5493 completions
61%

Vanderbilt University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,456 students with in-state tuition of $61,618.

95% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#12

Madison, WI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
83 / 100
83
Completion
83.1%
93%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
19153 completions
59%

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 49,605 students with in-state tuition of $9,644.

83% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 93rd percentile nationally for completion.

#13

Boston, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
82.6 / 100
82.6
Completion
72.2%
84%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
13495 completions
57%

Boston University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 83, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 36,624 students with in-state tuition of $63,798.

72% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 84th percentile nationally for completion.

#14

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
82.1 / 100
82.1
Completion
77.4%
89%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
15048 completions
50%

University of California-Los Angeles is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 46,678 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

77% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 89th percentile nationally for completion.

#15

New Haven, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
81.9 / 100
81.9
Completion
97.4%
99%
Retention
99%
93%
Productivity
5506 completions
57%

Yale University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 15,081 students with in-state tuition of $64,700.

97% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#16

College Park, MD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.6 / 100
81.6
Completion
77.7%
89%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
12859 completions
48%

University of Maryland-College Park is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 82, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 40,813 students with in-state tuition of $9,889.

78% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 89th percentile nationally for completion.

#17

Louisville, KY

Complete Data Private For-Profit
Overall Score
81.2 / 100
81.2
Completion
87.6%
95%
Retention
90%
83%
Productivity
399 completions
97%

MedQuest College is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 99th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 273 students.

88% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 95th percentile nationally for completion.

#18

Tallahassee, FL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
81.1 / 100
81.1
Completion
75.1%
87%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
14528 completions
53%

Florida State University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 43,234 students with in-state tuition of $4,640.

75% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 87th percentile nationally for completion.

#19

Baltimore, MD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
80.9 / 100
80.9
Completion
92.7%
97%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
12790 completions
63%

Johns Hopkins University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 30,362 students with in-state tuition of $62,840.

93% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally for completion.

#20

Stanford, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
80.6 / 100
80.6
Completion
94.4%
98%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
5239 completions
41%

Stanford University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 18,446 students with in-state tuition of $61,731.

94% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#21

Washington, DC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
80.6 / 100
80.6
Completion
88.8%
96%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
8142 completions
61%

Georgetown University is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 96th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 20,392 students with in-state tuition of $64,896.

89% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 96th percentile nationally for completion.

#22

Notre Dame, IN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
80.5 / 100
80.5
Completion
95.8%
98%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
4643 completions
55%

University of Notre Dame is a top-performing institution in the overall ranking with a score of 81, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,174 students with in-state tuition of $62,186.

96% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#23

Ithaca, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.8 / 100
79.8
Completion
95.2%
98%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
8782 completions
52%

Cornell University scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 26,264 students with in-state tuition of $65,204.

95% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#24

La Jolla, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.7 / 100
79.7
Completion
89.6%
96%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
12624 completions
44%

University of California-San Diego scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 42,376 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

90% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 96th percentile nationally for completion.

#25

Willow Street, PA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.7 / 100
79.7
Completion
77.6%
89%
Retention
92%
86%
Productivity
190 completions
84%

Lancaster County Career and Technology Center scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 250 students.

78% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 89th percentile nationally for completion.

#26

Blacksburg, VA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
79.7 / 100
79.7
Completion
75.8%
87%
Retention
92%
86%
Productivity
11215 completions
43%

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 38,294 students with in-state tuition of $12,698.

76% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 87th percentile nationally for completion.

#27

Saint Paul, MN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.6 / 100
79.6
Completion
94.5%
98%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
684 completions
49%

Macalester College scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,142 students with in-state tuition of $64,678.

95% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#28

Houston, TX

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.5 / 100
79.5
Completion
91.9%
97%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
2924 completions
54%

Rice University scores above average in the overall ranking at 80, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 8,556 students with in-state tuition of $57,210.

92% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally for completion.

#29

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.4 / 100
79.4
Completion
86.2%
95%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
17316 completions
68%

Columbia University in the City of New York scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 35,279 students with in-state tuition of $64,526.

86% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 95th percentile nationally for completion.

#30

Philadelphia, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.4 / 100
79.4
Completion
95.8%
98%
Retention
98%
92%
Productivity
11126 completions
59%

University of Pennsylvania scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 28,711 students with in-state tuition of $58,620.

96% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#31

Monsey, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.2 / 100
79.2
Completion
100%
99%
Retention
100%
93%
Productivity
253 completions
93%

Ohel Margulia Seminary scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 243 students with in-state tuition of $9,500.

100% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#32

Cambridge, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79.1 / 100
79.1
Completion
85.9%
94%
Retention
99%
93%
Productivity
11095 completions
57%

Harvard University scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 30,386 students with in-state tuition of $54,269.

86% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 94th percentile nationally for completion.

#33

Fairfield, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79 / 100
79
Completion
80.4%
91%
Retention
90%
83%
Productivity
1989 completions
49%

Fairfield University scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 91th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 6,289 students with in-state tuition of $55,510.

80% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 91st percentile nationally for completion.

#34

Atlanta, GA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79 / 100
79
Completion
93.4%
97%
Retention
96%
90%
Productivity
5372 completions
56%

Emory University scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 15,046 students with in-state tuition of $59,920.

93% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally for completion.

#35

Middletown, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
79 / 100
79
Completion
94.1%
98%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
1216 completions
58%

Wesleyan University scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 3,271 students with in-state tuition of $66,716.

94% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 98th percentile nationally for completion.

#36

Columbia, MO

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
78.8 / 100
78.8
Completion
62.9%
73%
Retention
91%
85%
Productivity
10926 completions
55%

University of Missouri-Columbia scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 98th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 31,013 students with in-state tuition of $13,008.

63% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 73rd percentile nationally for completion.

#37

Swarthmore, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.6 / 100
78.6
Completion
96.2%
99%
Retention
97%
91%
Productivity
562 completions
54%

Swarthmore College scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 1,644 students with in-state tuition of $61,992.

96% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#38

Aguadilla, PR

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.6 / 100
78.6
Completion
69.9%
82%
Retention
100%
93%
Productivity
125 completions
88%

Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico scores above average in the overall ranking at 79, ranking in the 99th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 149 students.

70% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 82nd percentile nationally for completion.

#39

Inglewood, CA

Complete Data Private For-Profit
Overall Score
78.4 / 100
78.4
Completion
98.1%
99%
Retention
100%
93%
Productivity
181 completions
97%

ABCO Technology scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 121 students.

98% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 99th percentile nationally for completion.

#40

New Orleans, LA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.4 / 100
78.4
Completion
59%
67%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
4810 completions
57%

Tulane University of Louisiana scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 98th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 13,078 students with in-state tuition of $61,306.

59% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 67th percentile nationally for completion.

#41

Malibu, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78.1 / 100
78.1
Completion
83.2%
93%
Retention
86%
76%
Productivity
3533 completions
58%

Pepperdine University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 93th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 9,545 students with in-state tuition of $65,990.

83% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 93rd percentile nationally for completion.

#42

Omaha, NE

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78 / 100
78
Completion
65.1%
76%
Retention
92%
86%
Productivity
2762 completions
52%

Creighton University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 94th percentile for student faculty ratio.

The college enrolls 8,255 students with in-state tuition of $45,000.

65% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 76th percentile nationally for completion.

#43

Wheaton, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78 / 100
78
Completion
85.1%
94%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
806 completions
42%

Wheaton College scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 94th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,799 students with in-state tuition of $43,670.

85% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 94th percentile nationally for completion.

#44

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
78 / 100
78
Completion
71.1%
83%
Retention
93%
87%
Productivity
2311 completions
53%

Yeshiva University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 87th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 6,826 students with in-state tuition of $46,000.

71% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 83rd percentile nationally for completion.

#45

Winston-Salem, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
93.7%
97%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
3051 completions
52%

Wake Forest University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 9,121 students with in-state tuition of $63,608.

94% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally for completion.

#46

Worcester, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
84.3%
94%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
2165 completions
43%

Worcester Polytechnic Institute scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 94th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 7,353 students with in-state tuition of $57,960.

84% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 94th percentile nationally for completion.

#47

Villanova, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
73.1%
85%
Retention
95%
89%
Productivity
3960 completions
60%

Villanova University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 91th percentile for program breadth.

The college enrolls 10,111 students with in-state tuition of $63,806.

73% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 85th percentile nationally for completion.

#48

Cleveland, OH

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.9 / 100
77.9
Completion
73.2%
85%
Retention
92%
86%
Productivity
4067 completions
52%

Case Western Reserve University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 93th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 12,266 students with in-state tuition of $64,100.

73% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 85th percentile nationally for completion.

#49

Davis, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
77.8 / 100
77.8
Completion
83.9%
93%
Retention
93%
87%
Productivity
11589 completions
43%

University of California-Davis scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 99th percentile for institutional scale.

The college enrolls 39,707 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

84% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 93rd percentile nationally for completion.

#50

Santa Clara, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
77.8 / 100
77.8
Completion
92.8%
97%
Retention
94%
88%
Productivity
2972 completions
49%

Santa Clara University scores above average in the overall ranking at 78, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 9,340 students with in-state tuition of $58,587.

93% of students complete their programs, placing the school in the 97th percentile nationally for completion.

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