23 PA Colleges Among Best In Country, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

Pennsylvania colleges were ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to new 2026 Best Colleges rankings 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.

Here’s how Pennsylvania schools fared in national rankings:

7. University of Pennsylvania
20. Carnegie Mellon University
46. Lehigh University
57. Villanova University
59. Pennsylvania State University--University Park
69. University of Pittsburgh
80. Drexel University
102. Temple University
132. Thomas Jefferson University
169. Duquesne University
208. Robert Morris University
213. Chatham University
242. West Chester University of Pennsylvania
257. Gannon University
257. La Salle University
273. Gwynedd Mercy University
273. Misericordia University
283. DeSales University
301. Immaculata University
301. Widener University
318. Wilkes University
329. Indiana University of Pennsylvania
352. Alvernia University

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.

Lincoln University placed 18th in the nation for historically Black schools, while Arcadia University was 9th for studying abroad, Swarthmore was the 4th liberal arts school nationally, and Carnegie Mellon was 16th for teaching.

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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