3 VA Colleges Among Best In Country, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

Three Virginia 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 the top three Virginia schools fared in national rankings:

• University of Virginia - Tied for 26th with the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill.
• Virginia Tech and William & Mary - Tied for 51st with Case Western Reserve University, Florida State University, Texas A&M University and Wake Forest University.

And here's a look at other schools in Virginia:

• Washington and Lee University - Ranked 21st in National Liberal Arts Colleges.
• George Mason University - Tied for 117th with Arizona State University, Creighton University, Elon University, Illinois institute of Technology, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, San Diego State University, University of Central Florida, University of Denver, and the University of New Hampshire.
• Virginia Commonwealth University - Tied for 139th with California State University-Fullerton, Fairfield University, and the University of the Pacific.
• James Madison University - Tied for 151st with Seattle University, St. John's University (NY), University of Massachusetts-Lowell, University of Rhode Island, and the University of Utah.
• Hampton University and Marymount University were tied for 273rd with Augusta University, Gwynedd Mercy University, Misericordia University, Pace University, Regis University, The Master's University and Seminary, University of Memphis, and Wichita State University.
• Old Dominion University - Tied for 293rd with Bowling Green State University, The University of Toledo, University of New England, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, University of St. Francis, University of the Incarnat4e Word, and Western Michigan University.
• Shenandoah University - Tied for 301st with Lesley University, Northern Illinois University, Oklahoma City University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Hartford, University of Indianapolis, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Widener University.
• Radford University and Lynchburg University - Tied for 329th with Abilene Christian University, Clark Atalanta University, Concordia University Wisconsin, Eastern Kentucky University, Ferris State University, Husson University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Morgan State University, Texas Woman's University, The University of Texas at Tyler, University of Hawaii at Hilo, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
• Regent University - Tied for 373rd with Eastern Michigan University, Kennesaw State University, Long Island University, Tarleton State University, The University of Akron, University of Findlay, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of West Georgia, William Carey University, and Wingate University.
• Mary Baldwin University - Tied for 384th with Baker University, Briar Cliff University, Capitol Technology University, Dallas Baptist University, East Texas A&M University, Gardner-Webb University, Northern Kentucky University, Palm Beach Atlantic University, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, and University of Michigan-Flint.
• Liberty University - Tied for 395th-434th with 39 other schools.

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.

Randolph-Macon College was one of the eight schools to rank for the first time among the top 100 National Liberal Arts Colleges. All eight tied for the the 96th spot on the list.

Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

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.

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