11 GA Colleges Among Best In America, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

GEORGIA — Eleven Georgia colleges were ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Georgia schools:

• Emory University, No. 24 (tied)
• Georgia Institute of Technology, No. 33 (tied)
• University of Georgia, No. 46 (tied)
• Georgia State University, No. 196 (tied)
• Augusta University, No. 296 (tied)
• Georgia Southern University, No. 342 (tied)
• Clark Atlanta University, No. 352 (tied)
• University of West Georgia, No. 371 (tied)
• Brenau University, No. 392-434 (tied)
• Kennesaw State University, No. 392-434 (tied)
• Valdosta State University, No. 392-434 (tied)

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

Berry College in Mount Berry is the fourth-best regional university in the South, per the ranking. Also in the top 10 is Savannah College of Art and Design, which has Savannah and Atlanta campuses.

Wesleyan College in Macon landed at No. 6 for regional colleges in the U.S.

The top national universities are:

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University in Massachusetts
4. Stanford University in California
5. Yale University in Connecticut

The top national liberal arts colleges are:

1. Williams College in Massachusetts
2. Amherst College in Massachusetts
3. Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
4. United States Naval Academy in Maryland
5. Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)