1 Rhode Island College Among Best In Country, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

One Rhode Island college was 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.

See also: These Are Rhode Island’s Most Liberal And Most Conservative Colleges

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 YOURSTATE schools fared in national rankings:

• Brown University/13
• University of Rhode Island/151

See also: Here Are The Best Colleges In Rhode Island, According To Niche

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.

See also: 3 RI Colleges Make LinkedIn List Of 50 Best For Long-Term Career Success

The Rhode Island School of Design in Providence ranked third for Regional Universities of the North and Bryant University in Smithfield ranked fifth, while Salve Regina in Newport finished 24th, Roger Williams in Bristol placed 35th and Johnson & Wales University and Rhode Island College in Providence tied for 84th.

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

See also: 5 RI Schools Named To Princeton Review's Best Colleges List

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.

See also: These RI Colleges Earned Top Score On New National Ranking

Read more about the methodology on U.S. News & World Report.

Related: Forbes Names 20 Colleges ‘New Ivies,’ Says Employers Prefer Them

See also: These Rhode Island Universities Ranked Among World’s Best By US News