by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in the United States, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **1152** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 1152 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
The best college for you depends on what you want to study. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore other rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our tool College Combat to weigh schools on the factors you care about most.
The top-ranked colleges span the following early-career salary range:
Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Our analysis found Washington University In St Louis to be the best college in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Early-career graduates earn a median of $68,303. Graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans.
The strong outcomes at Loma Linda University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Loma Linda, CA, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,960. Early-career graduates earn a median of $93,833. Graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans.
Yeshiva University came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,800. Yeshiva University graduates report median early-career earnings of $52,838. The median student debt is $20,625.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the United States. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,004. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University students take on a median of $23,393 in debt.
You'll be in good company at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Chicago, IL, Loyola University Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,710. Median early-career earnings reach $58,568. Loyola University Chicago students take on a median of $23,521 in debt.
University Of Florida placed #6 among the best colleges in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,388. Typical student debt is $17,669.
University Of Delaware did well this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,155. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete a degree here.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Median early-career earnings reach $58,402. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete a degree here.
Fashion Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in New York, NY, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, while out-of-state students pay about $22,696. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $17,912.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #10 among the best colleges in the United States. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $63,111. Typical student debt is $19,844.
George Washington University placed #11 among the best colleges in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Median early-career earnings reach $73,749. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete a degree here.
University Of Connecticut ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Storrs, CT. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $58,784. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete a degree here.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #13 among the best colleges in the United States. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates report median early-career earnings of $53,543. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete a degree here.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates report median early-career earnings of $59,622. North Carolina State University At Raleigh students take on a median of $22,113 in debt.
Calvin College placed #15 among the best colleges in the United States. Calvin College is a private not-for-profit school based in Grand Rapids, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Calvin College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,220. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete a degree here.
Florida State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Tallahassee, FL. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Median early-career earnings reach $51,884. Graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans.
Allen College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Waterloo, IA, Allen College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,787. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $82,049. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans.
New York University placed #18 among the best colleges in the United States. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,516. The median student debt is $21,897.
University Of Central Florida came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Orlando, FL. University Of Central Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 78%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. University Of Central Florida graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,790. The median student debt is $21,620.
Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $89,536 early in their careers. The median student debt is $19,224.
Widener University Main Campus placed #21 among the best colleges in the United States. Based in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Widener University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,864. Widener University Main Campus students take on a median of $26,561 in debt.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #22 position. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans.
Drake University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Des Moines, IA. About 73% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,228 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans.
Fox Valley Technical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. This public school is set in Appleton, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $44,020. Graduates carry a median of $13,319 in student loans.
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #25 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Paul, MN. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates 77% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $54,398. University Of St Thomas Minnesota graduates report median early-career earnings of $65,183. Typical student debt is $23,923.
These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
Click any college name below to learn more:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Weber State University | Ogden, UT |
| 52 | Lawrence Technological University | Southfield, MI |
| 53 | University Of Colorado Denver | Denver, CO |
| 54 | Farmingdale State College | Farmingdale, NY |
| 55 | University Of South Florida Main Campus | Tampa, FL |
| 56 | Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown, PA |
| 57 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
| 58 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers, FL |
| 59 | Pacific College | Costa Mesa, CA |
| 60 | St Josephs College Of Nursing At St Josephs Hospital Health Center | Syracuse, NY |
| 61 | Roger Williams University | Bristol, RI |
| 62 | University Of Wisconsin Oshkosh | Oshkosh, WI |
| 63 | University Of North Florida | Jacksonville, FL |
| 64 | Harper College | Palatine, IL |
| 65 | Dyouville College | Buffalo, NY |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 166 | Pennsylvania State University Penn State Dubois | DuBois, PA |
| 167 | Vermont Technical College | Randolph, VT |
| 168 | Oklahoma State University Institute Of Technology Okmulgee | Okmulgee, OK |
| 169 | Laboure College | Milton, MA |
| 170 | Northwood University Michigan | Midland, MI |
| 171 | University Of Toledo | Toledo, OH |
| 172 | County College Of Morris | Randolph, NJ |
| 173 | Oregon Institute Of Technology | Klamath Falls, OR |
These schools also stood out this year:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 174 | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Green Bay, WI |
| 175 | Salt Lake Community College | Salt Lake City, UT |
| 176 | University Of Indianapolis | Indianapolis, IN |
| 177 | Lake Washington Institute Of Technology | Kirkland, WA |
| 178 | University Of Louisiana Monroe | Monroe, LA |
| 179 | The Christ College Of Nursing And Health Sciences | Cincinnati, OH |
| 180 | Johnson And Wales University Providence | Providence, RI |
| 181 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL |
| 182 | Anne Arundel Community College | Arnold, MD |
| 183 | Moody Bible Institute | Chicago, IL |
| 184 | Santiago Canyon College | Orange, CA |
| 185 | Cumberland University | Lebanon, TN |
| 186 | Edison State College | Fort Myers, FL |
| 187 | Galen Health Institutes Richmond | Richmond, VA |
| 188 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Northwestern Health Sciences University | Bloomington, MN |
| 190 | Boise State University | Boise, ID |
| 191 | Seattle Community College North Campus | Seattle, WA |
| 192 | Middlesex County College | Edison, NJ |
| 193 | University Of Akron Main Campus | Akron, OH |
| 194 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale, FL |
| 195 | Raritan Valley Community College | Branchburg, NJ |
| 196 | Mercy College Of Ohio | Toledo, OH |
| 197 | University Of Southern Indiana | Evansville, IN |
| 198 | Waukesha County Technical College | Pewaukee, WI |
| 199 | Waynesburg University | Waynesburg, PA |
| 200 | Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College | Rice Lake, WI |
| 201 | Everett Community College | Everett, WA |
| 202 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA |
| 203 | Oakton Community College | Des Plaines, IL |
| 204 | Franklin University | Columbus, OH |
| 205 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 206 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth, FL |
| 207 | Joliet Junior College | Joliet, IL |
| 208 | Renton Technical College | Renton, WA |
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 229 | University Of Idaho | Moscow, ID |
| 230 | Metropolitan State College Of Denver | Denver, CO |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.