Schools
2 MI Colleges Among Best In Country, U.S. News Says In New Ranking
The rankings evaluated 1,700 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, U.S. News said.
Two Michigan colleges were ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to a new 2026 Best Colleges ranking released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.
The rankings evaluated 1,700 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, U.S. News 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.
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Here’s how Michigan schools fared in national rankings:
No. 20 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
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No. 64 Michigan State University
No. 158 Michigan Technological University
No. 179 Wayne State University
No. 183 University of Detroit Mercy
No. 242 (tie) Andrews University, Grand Valley State University
No. 283 Central Michigan University
No. 293 Western Michigan University
No. 318 Oakland University
No. 329 Ferris State University
No. 373 Eastern Michigan University
No. 384 University of Michigan - Flint
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.
Best Value Schools
No. 22 University of Detroit Mercy
No. 79 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
No. 158 Michigan Technological University
No. 165 Wayne State University
No. 186 Michigan State University
Most Innovative Colleges
No. 13 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Top Performers On Social Mobility
No. 62 Wayne State University
No. 144 University of Detroit Mercy
No. 189 Andrews University
No. 250 Eastern Michigan University
No. 266 Michigan State University
No. 283 University of Michigan - Flint
No. 291 Grand Valley State University
No. 308 Oakland University
No. 315 Central Michigan University
No. 338 Western Michigan University
No. 372 Michigan Technological University
No. 420 Ferris State University
Undergraduate Teaching Programs
No. 15 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
No. 51 Grand Valley State University
First-Year Experiences
No. 33 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
No. 39 Adrian College
Service Learning
No. 6 Michigan State University
Studying Abroad
No. 4 Kalamazoo College
No. 10 Michigan State University
No. 12 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Undergraduate Research and Creative Projects
No. 6 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
No. 22 Hope College
The top national universities are:
1. Princeton University (New Jersey)
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University (Massachusetts)
4 (tie). Stanford University (California)
4 (tie). Yale University (Connecticut)
6. University of Chicago (Illinois)
7 (tie). Duke University (North Carolina)
7 (tie). Johns Hopkins University (Maryland)
7 (tie). Northwestern University (Illinois)
7 (tie). University of Pennsylvania
LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release that for more than four decades, the publication’s rankings have served as a trusted, data-backed resource for students and their families as they navigate the complex college search process.
“Over the years, Best Colleges has evolved into a comprehensive tool that reflects the changing landscape of higher education, providing prospective students with a crucial starting point to identify schools that align with their academic and personal goals,” Jones said.
Read more about the methodology on U.S. News & World Report.
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