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Best College Rankings

Published by The Wall Street Journal with College Pulse since 2016

WSJ/College Pulse Best Colleges

Built almost entirely around value added — how much a school improves graduate salaries beyond what its intake predicted.

WSJ rankings in our dataset

The 493 institutions we track that appear on a WSJ list, in that publisher's order, with the underlying data alongside.

Rank on listCollegeAverage net price
#1Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ · 5,709 undergrads$6,128
#2Babson CollegeWellesley, MA · 2,728 undergrads$40,514
#3Stanford UniversityStanford, CA · 7,554 undergrads$13,807
#4Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT · 6,758 undergrads$23,777
#5Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremont, CA · 1,388 undergrads$28,849
#6Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA · 4,535 undergrads$20,111
#7Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · 7,601 undergrads$19,066
#8University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley, CA · 33,068 undergrads$13,481
#9Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA · 18,785 undergrads$12,116
#10Davidson CollegeDavidson, NC · 1,867 undergrads$17,379
#11Bentley UniversityWaltham, MA · 4,474 undergrads$37,930
#12University of California, DavisDavis, CA · 32,253 undergrads$14,741
#13University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA · 10,650 undergrads$28,699
#14Columbia UniversityNew York, NY · 8,973 undergrads$21,590
#15Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA · 5,898 undergrads$36,931
#16San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA · 27,601 undergrads$13,760
#17University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN · 8,818 undergrads$26,780
#18University of California, MercedMerced, CA · 8,372 undergrads$11,983
#19Virginia TechBlacksburg, VA · 30,923 undergrads$24,953
#20Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremont, CA · 921 undergrads$35,924
#21California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA · 25,042 undergrads$11,531
#22University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI · 34,177 undergrads$13,138
#23Loyola University MarylandBaltimore, MD · 3,869 undergrads$30,574
#24California State University-StanislausTurlock, CA · 8,385 undergrads$6,067
#25Colgate UniversityHamilton, NY · 3,180 undergrads$28,786
#26University of DelawareNewark, DE · 19,071 undergrads$17,799
#27Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY · 15,995 undergrads$28,690
#28Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station, TX · 59,615 undergrads$21,315
#29Rice UniversityHouston, TX · 4,776 undergrads$13,370
#30University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, CA · 34,948 undergrads$12,470
#31University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA · 30,197 undergrads$14,251
#32Washington University in St LouisSt. Louis, MO · 7,857 undergrads$21,786
#33University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA · 17,597 undergrads$21,565
#34Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC · 7,569 undergrads$40,815
#35Swarthmore CollegeSwarthmore, PA · 1,613 undergrads$23,149
#36Brown UniversityProvidence, RI · 7,226 undergrads$25,184
#37Augustana CollegeRock Island, IL · 2,490 undergrads$22,736
#38Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA · 6,552 undergrads$50,062
#39California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA · 987 undergrads$16,075
#40Towson UniversityTowson, MD · 16,136 undergrads$17,413
#41University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · 42,855 undergrads$19,857
#42Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA · 4,948 undergrads$29,689
#43University of Detroit MercyDetroit, MI · 2,438 undergrads$15,232
#44Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN · 7,208 undergrads$15,846
#45Duke UniversityDurham, NC · 6,442 undergrads$29,612
#46California State University-San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA · 15,023 undergrads$4,564
#47University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA · 5,671 undergrads$30,365
#48California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo, CA · 21,996 undergrads$16,665
#49University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA · 20,443 undergrads$32,740
#50Washington and Lee UniversityLexington, VA · 1,881 undergrads$23,781
#51California State University-FresnoFresno, CA · 21,605 undergrads$7,000
#52Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, NY · 2,744 undergrads$27,256
#53University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · 36,258 undergrads$14,355
#54Albion CollegeAlbion, MI · 1,300 undergrads$14,301
#55Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI · 7,660 undergrads$31,487
#56Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA · 7,304 undergrads$31,944
#57Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH · 4,541 undergrads$29,519
#58Lafayette CollegeEaston, PA · 2,757 undergrads$34,433
#59University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC · 20,752 undergrads$11,655
#60Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI · 40,922 undergrads$19,680
#61CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew York, NY · 16,154 undergrads$3,033
#62Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL · 9,201 undergrads$29,167
#63Brigham Young UniversityProvo, UT · 32,952 undergrads$15,564
#64Colby CollegeWaterville, ME · 2,407 undergrads$17,180
#65College of the Holy CrossWorcester, MA · 3,106 undergrads$38,782
#66San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA · 18,639 undergrads$12,278
#67California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA · 35,924 undergrads$10,440
#68University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 33,475 undergrads$12,548
#69Siena UniversityLoudonville, NY · 3,409 undergrads$33,733
#70James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg, VA · 20,888 undergrads$23,322
#71University of PortlandPortland, OR · 2,957 undergrads$28,210
#72California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · 28,350 undergrads$9,338
#73University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI · 36,902 undergrads$17,354
#74Bryant UniversitySmithfield, RI · 3,194 undergrads$41,219
#75University of ChicagoChicago, IL · 7,569 undergrads$14,860
#76George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · 27,752 undergrads$17,915
#77Florida International UniversityMiami, FL · 39,508 undergrads$9,288
#78University of DaytonDayton, OH · 7,682 undergrads$29,533
#79Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA · 6,938 undergrads$43,756
#80University of La VerneLa Verne, CA · 3,050 undergrads$20,161
#81California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA · 32,691 undergrads$7,021
#82University of WashingtonSeattle, WA · 31,942 undergrads$14,091
#83University of FloridaGainesville, FL · 35,629 undergrads$6,541
#84University of Rhode IslandKingston, RI · 13,381 undergrads$21,440
#85California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA · 38,546 undergrads$6,555
#86Wellesley CollegeWellesley, MA · 2,300 undergrads$25,496
#87University of the PacificStockton, CA · 3,204 undergrads$25,447
#88Haverford CollegeHaverford, PA · 1,430 undergrads$25,314
#89Ohio Northern UniversityAda, OH · 2,489 undergrads$24,478
#90Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA · 5,447 undergrads$43,071
#91Quinnipiac UniversityHamden, CT · 6,531 undergrads$40,675
#92Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD · 5,693 undergrads$18,809
#93Clemson UniversityClemson, SC · 23,300 undergrads$22,253
#94College of New JerseyEwing, NJ · 7,105 undergrads$27,646
#95California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · 19,562 undergrads$3,967
#96Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA · 3,876 undergrads$40,766
#97California State University-San MarcosSan Marcos, CA · 14,877 undergrads$10,229
#98Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute, IN · 2,309 undergrads$42,513
#99University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · 19,835 undergrads$25,097
#100Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA · 10,085 undergrads$41,704
#101Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusa, CA · 2,759 undergrads$22,212
#102Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN · 44,503 undergrads$14,600
#103Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA · 7,298 undergrads$22,585
#104Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO · 6,155 undergrads$28,690
#105Providence CollegeProvidence, RI · 4,229 undergrads$48,523
#106Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ · 18,376 undergrads$15,566
#107University of RedlandsRedlands, CA · 2,049 undergrads$30,031
#108University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA · 22,593 undergrads$14,304
#109University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL · 22,170 undergrads$10,974
#110Franklin and Marshall CollegeLancaster, PA · 1,799 undergrads$36,425
#111Muhlenberg CollegeAllentown, PA · 1,727 undergrads$28,905
#112Adelphi UniversityGarden City, NY · 5,276 undergrads$30,783
#113University of MarylandCollege Park, MD · 30,760 undergrads$15,678
#114New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ · 9,019 undergrads$16,504
#115Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-Sydney, VA · 946 undergrads$22,400
#116Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT · 5,373 undergrads$48,095
#117DePauw UniversityGreencastle, IN · 1,905 undergrads$22,264
#118Bradley UniversityPeoria, IL · 3,574 undergrads$22,719
#119Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · 25,367 undergrads$18,589
#120Amherst CollegeAmherst, MA · 1,911 undergrads$23,367
#121University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond, VA · 2,980 undergrads$31,309
#122DePaul UniversityChicago, IL · 14,090 undergrads$30,902
#123Washington & Jefferson CollegeWashington, PA · 1,295 undergrads$25,002
#124Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJ · 37,751 undergrads$24,406
#125University of ScrantonScranton, PA · 3,554 undergrads$32,568
#126Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA · 5,198 undergrads$35,119
#127Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ · 4,222 undergrads$41,346
#128Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · 3,755 undergrads$28,928
#129George Washington UniversityWashington, DC · 11,182 undergrads$36,586
#130University of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA · 5,287 undergrads$41,431
#131Wofford CollegeSpartanburg, SC · 1,816 undergrads$18,732
#132Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL · 1,582 undergrads$28,199
#133Marist UniversityPoughkeepsie, NY · 5,182 undergrads$41,544
#134University of St FrancisJoliet, IL · 1,223 undergrads$13,006
#135Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazoo, MI · 1,149 undergrads$19,072
#136Butler UniversityIndianapolis, IN · 4,317 undergrads$36,041
#137Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC · 5,485 undergrads$28,719
#138Clarkson UniversityPotsdam, NY · 2,196 undergrads$30,305
#139Indiana Wesleyan University-MarionMarion, IN · 1,974 undergrads$22,866
#140Iona UniversityNew Rochelle, NY · 2,951 undergrads$29,188
#141Fresno Pacific UniversityFresno, CA · 1,544 undergrads$13,630
#142University of OklahomaNorman, OK · 22,734 undergrads$15,300
#143Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY · 5,714 undergrads$36,228
#144Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA · 5,350 undergrads$37,730
#145Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA · 3,553 undergrads$58,098
#146Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI · 5,955 undergrads$14,182
#147Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · 19,057 undergrads$19,398
#148Barnard CollegeNew York, NY · 3,264 undergrads$28,800
#149University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT · 27,264 undergrads$16,200
#150Washington State UniversityPullman, WA · 21,099 undergrads$14,971
#151University of GeorgiaAthens, GA · 32,137 undergrads$13,936
#152Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY · 14,655 undergrads$21,620
#153Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL · 2,833 undergrads$18,425
#154Drake UniversityDes Moines, IA · 2,543 undergrads$29,127
#155Elon UniversityElon, NC · 6,452 undergrads$41,555
#156Hamline UniversitySaint Paul, MN · 1,776 undergrads$20,744
#157Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO · 7,267 undergrads$24,398
#158California State University-Monterey BaySeaside, CA · 6,819 undergrads$13,663
#159University at AlbanyAlbany, NY · 12,564 undergrads$17,167
#160Salve Regina UniversityNewport, RI · 2,121 undergrads$36,967
#161Bowdoin CollegeBrunswick, ME · 1,873 undergrads$14,398
#162University of IowaIowa City, IA · 22,264 undergrads$22,531
#163San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · 35,377 undergrads$15,364
#164Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY · 15,477 undergrads$38,793
#165Milwaukee School of EngineeringMilwaukee, WI · 2,654 undergrads$22,453
#166Gettysburg CollegeGettysburg, PA · 2,099 undergrads$31,490
#167North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC · 27,371 undergrads$17,303
#168Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA · 17,326 undergrads$30,915
#169Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL · 26,816 undergrads$24,323
#170University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL · 13,359 undergrads$10,154
#171Boston UniversityBoston, MA · 18,248 undergrads$24,402
#172Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, MA · 3,747 undergrads$34,170
#173Stonehill CollegeEaston, MA · 2,528 undergrads$33,016
#174Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA · 2,076 undergrads$17,716
#175University of New HampshireDurham, NH · 11,261 undergrads$23,805
#176McDaniel CollegeWestminster, MD · 1,617 undergrads$21,916
#177Wesleyan UniversityMiddletown, CT · 3,067 undergrads$30,177
#178William & MaryWilliamsburg, VA · 7,055 undergrads$19,096
#179University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA · 23,113 undergrads$16,109
#180Kettering UniversityFlint, MI · 1,205 undergrads$34,660
#181Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · 13,233 undergrads$38,509
#182Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO · 5,521 undergrads$16,298
#183St Olaf CollegeNorthfield, MN · 3,093 undergrads$23,874
#184Spelman CollegeAtlanta, GA · 3,414 undergrads$38,967
#185Indiana University BloomingtonBloomington, IN · 37,806 undergrads$16,264
#186Union CollegeSchenectady, NY · 2,046 undergrads$34,561
#187SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY · 4,643 undergrads$19,158
#188Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA · 30,594 undergrads$19,151
#189Susquehanna UniversitySelinsgrove, PA · 2,163 undergrads$28,819
#190St. John's University-New YorkQueens, NY · 9,477 undergrads$29,999
#191Pomona CollegeClaremont, CA · 1,666 undergrads$19,285
#192Dickinson CollegeCarlisle, PA · 2,273 undergrads$37,607
#193Centre CollegeDanville, KY · 1,400 undergrads$20,781
#194Fordham UniversityBronx, NY · 10,512 undergrads$44,338
#195Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE · 4,348 undergrads$31,568
#196Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA · 20,970 undergrads$28,198
#197St Lawrence UniversityCanton, NY · 1,918 undergrads$28,651
#198University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY · 20,112 undergrads$20,995
#199Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL · 32,212 undergrads$11,297
#200University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO · 23,929 undergrads$20,268
#201University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV · 15,599 undergrads$15,927
#202Rhodes CollegeMemphis, TN · 1,836 undergrads$28,585
#203University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN · 31,855 undergrads$16,778
#204Hamilton CollegeClinton, NY · 2,030 undergrads$28,985
#205Simmons UniversityBoston, MA · 1,670 undergrads$25,265
#206John Carroll UniversityUniversity Heights, OH · 2,274 undergrads$28,746
#207Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona Beach, FL · 7,860 undergrads$41,272
#208Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA · 4,062 undergrads$34,662
#209West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV · 17,385 undergrads$15,634
#210University of St ThomasHouston, TX · 3,220 undergrads$19,359
#211Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA · 1,868 undergrads$26,598
#212Trinity UniversitySan Antonio, TX · 2,505 undergrads$23,464
#213University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater, WI · 9,405 undergrads$14,158
#214Oklahoma State UniversityStillwater, OK · 21,773 undergrads$17,447
#215Cedar Crest CollegeAllentown, PA · 834 undergrads$18,659
#216University of Texas at ArlingtonArlington, TX · 32,294 undergrads$13,951
#217Saint Francis UniversityLoretto, PA · 1,557 undergrads$23,526
#218University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD · 10,701 undergrads$16,467
#219Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX · 17,743 undergrads$16,404
#220Hobart William Smith CollegesGeneva, NY · 1,786 undergrads$31,563
#221Ursinus CollegeCollegeville, PA · 1,491 undergrads$30,536
#222East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · 19,896 undergrads$15,739
#223Texas Woman's UniversityDenton, TX · 8,767 undergrads$11,963
#224Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH · 6,437 undergrads$41,190
#225CUNY City CollegeNew York, NY · 12,505 undergrads$3,776
#226Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · 18,854 undergrads$16,317
#227Trinity CollegeHartford, CT · 2,146 undergrads$34,832
#228University of Colorado BoulderBoulder, CO · 31,939 undergrads$25,346
#229Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX · 32,394 undergrads$19,070
#230Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX · 11,026 undergrads$36,660
#231University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL · 12,913 undergrads$37,244
#232University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO · 10,519 undergrads$11,900
#233University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR · 28,677 undergrads$18,209
#234Seattle Pacific UniversitySeattle, WA · 1,762 undergrads$24,488
#235Bethel UniversitySaint Paul, MN · 1,871 undergrads$28,556
#236Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury, VT · 2,738 undergrads$31,483
#237Stockton UniversityGalloway, NJ · 7,537 undergrads$20,670
#238University of the SouthSewanee, TN · 1,607 undergrads$27,872
#239CUNY Queens CollegeQueens, NY · 12,550 undergrads$4,195
#240Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL · 1,813 undergrads$28,673
#241Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL · 11,301 undergrads$13,391
#242University of the Incarnate WordSan Antonio, TX · 4,440 undergrads$22,775
#243CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · 10,543 undergrads$3,103
#244Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX · 36,177 undergrads$16,805
#245Oakland UniversityRochester Hills, MI · 12,351 undergrads$9,120
#246Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA · 4,268 undergrads$29,618
#247University of KansasLawrence, KS · 21,217 undergrads$18,059
#248Samford UniversityBirmingham, AL · 4,206 undergrads$32,622
#249SUNY College at GeneseoGeneseo, NY · 3,869 undergrads$18,211
#250University of South FloridaTampa, FL · 37,207 undergrads$9,812
#251Thomas More UniversityCrestview Hills, KY · 1,293 undergrads$21,835
#252Arizona State UniversityTempe, AZ · 64,674 undergrads$14,967
#253University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · 17,940 undergrads$17,890
#254University of HoustonHouston, TX · 38,380 undergrads$14,276
#255North Dakota State UniversityFargo, ND · 9,471 undergrads$15,543
#256University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyEdinburg, TX · 28,666 undergrads$4,831
#257Pace UniversityNew York, NY · 7,665 undergrads$30,892
#258University of KentuckyLexington, KY · 24,763 undergrads$18,851
#259South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyRapid City, SD · 2,071 undergrads$20,183
#260University of DenverDenver, CO · 6,025 undergrads$36,131
#261University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · 6,817 undergrads$13,310
#262Catholic University of AmericaWashington, DC · 3,154 undergrads$29,561
#263Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL · 23,757 undergrads$8,752
#264Loyola University ChicagoChicago, IL · 11,737 undergrads$36,079
#265Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY · 18,101 undergrads$18,784
#266California Baptist UniversityRiverside, CA · 8,179 undergrads$26,285
#267Le Moyne CollegeSyracuse, NY · 2,439 undergrads$22,277
#268Christopher Newport UniversityNewport News, VA · 4,365 undergrads$23,015
#269Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL · 4,410 undergrads$12,937
#270Lycoming CollegeWilliamsport, PA · 996 undergrads$19,140
#271Furman UniversityGreenville, SC · 2,379 undergrads$30,308
#272University of North TexasDenton, TX · 34,341 undergrads$15,649
#273New York UniversityNew York, NY · 28,663 undergrads$37,050
#274University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL · 59,146 undergrads$10,411
#275University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireEau Claire, WI · 8,895 undergrads$16,550
#276University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · 33,227 undergrads$22,420
#277St. John Fisher UniversityRochester, NY · 2,565 undergrads$28,945
#278Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX · 7,277 undergrads$40,892
#280American UniversityWashington, DC · 7,266 undergrads$41,943
#281University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA · 23,671 undergrads$22,383
#282Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · 7,061 undergrads$39,998
#283Valparaiso UniversityValparaiso, IN · 2,083 undergrads$18,578
#284Grinnell CollegeGrinnell, IA · 1,729 undergrads$17,648
#285Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ · 6,036 undergrads$31,446
#286Luther CollegeDecorah, IA · 1,379 undergrads$23,097
#287Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI · 10,035 undergrads$17,597
#289Marietta CollegeMarietta, OH · 952 undergrads$21,083
#290Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · 25,538 undergrads$21,279
#291University of Michigan-DearbornDearborn, MI · 5,952 undergrads$9,492
#292University of Nevada-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV · 24,622 undergrads$10,359
#293Daemen UniversityAmherst, NY · 1,643 undergrads$18,693
#294Carleton CollegeNorthfield, MN · 2,086 undergrads$25,407
#295University of Houston-DowntownHouston, TX · 12,555 undergrads$10,542
#296Skidmore CollegeSaratoga Springs, NY · 2,694 undergrads$32,297
#297University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX · 30,580 undergrads$10,836
#298University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC · 24,453 undergrads$15,435
#299University of TulsaTulsa, OK · 2,813 undergrads$15,000
#300Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR · 30,743 undergrads$19,604
#301Kenyon CollegeGambier, OH · 1,732 undergrads$38,512
#302University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · 15,029 undergrads$15,664
#303Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter, MN · 1,878 undergrads$22,900
#304University of OregonEugene, OR · 20,497 undergrads$22,182
#305University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · 29,820 undergrads$22,811
#306Western Washington UniversityBellingham, WA · 13,544 undergrads$21,193
#307Scripps CollegeClaremont, CA · 1,113 undergrads$36,294
#308Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles, CA · 7,094 undergrads$48,381
#309Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY · 2,852 undergrads$49,965
#310New York Institute of TechnologyOld Westbury, NY · 3,440 undergrads$22,443
#312University of IdahoMoscow, ID · 7,747 undergrads$14,831
#313University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · 11,434 undergrads$17,163
#315Sacred Heart UniversityFairfield, CT · 7,087 undergrads$46,174
#316University of RochesterRochester, NY · 6,331 undergrads$29,278
#317Connecticut CollegeNew London, CT · 1,937 undergrads$36,175
#318Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY · 13,215 undergrads$34,906
#319University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX · 21,751 undergrads$18,267
#320University of Texas at El PasoEl Paso, TX · 21,005 undergrads$9,403
#321Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, VA · 20,753 undergrads$23,433
#322Clayton State UniversityMorrow, GA · 4,348 undergrads$8,365
#323University of MississippiUniversity, MS · 21,473 undergrads$13,314
#324Northeastern Illinois UniversityChicago, IL · 3,982 undergrads$14,109
#326Agnes Scott CollegeDecatur, GA · 836 undergrads$24,754
#327Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA · 1,684 undergrads$26,979
#328Simpson CollegeIndianola, IA · 1,227 undergrads$21,936
#329Ohio State UniversityColumbus, OH · 45,638 undergrads$17,339
#330Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · 15,142 undergrads$19,406
#331University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA · 11,512 undergrads$17,707
#332Colorado CollegeColorado Springs, CO · 2,014 undergrads$33,375
#333Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN · 2,131 undergrads$32,149
#334Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL · 8,750 undergrads$14,889
#335Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA · 3,618 undergrads$35,736
#336Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN · 13,830 undergrads$11,668
#337Portland State UniversityPortland, OR · 13,182 undergrads$9,552
#338Rowan UniversityGlassboro, NJ · 15,841 undergrads$22,408
#339Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw, GA · 41,254 undergrads$15,048
#340Baylor UniversityWaco, TX · 14,785 undergrads$41,104
#341Denison UniversityGranville, OH · 2,380 undergrads$40,007
#342University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls, WI · 4,205 undergrads$14,054
#343Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD · 6,057 undergrads$17,743
#344University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · 19,178 undergrads$17,747
#345State University of New York at CortlandCortland, NY · 5,901 undergrads$22,345
#346Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA · 42,284 undergrads$32,875
#347Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA · 21,790 undergrads$15,267
#348State University of New York at OswegoOswego, NY · 5,473 undergrads$16,236
#349University of Texas at TylerTyler, TX · 7,440 undergrads$13,323
#350Wheaton CollegeWheaton, IL · 2,121 undergrads$26,975
#351University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI · 16,758 undergrads$15,014
#352Hofstra UniversityHempstead, NY · 6,488 undergrads$34,176
#353Juniata CollegeHuntingdon, PA · 1,191 undergrads$23,988
#354University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · 30,418 undergrads$18,976
#355Rollins CollegeWinter Park, FL · 2,631 undergrads$34,732
#356University of VermontBurlington, VT · 11,743 undergrads$19,343
#357Carthage CollegeKenosha, WI · 2,660 undergrads$26,565
#358John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs, AR · 1,471 undergrads$20,397
#359Occidental CollegeLos Angeles, CA · 1,877 undergrads$38,263
#360Augustana UniversitySioux Falls, SD · 1,965 undergrads$23,894
#361Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA · 7,829 undergrads$16,383
#362Chapman UniversityOrange, CA · 7,478 undergrads$46,555
#363University of HartfordWest Hartford, CT · 4,146 undergrads$30,282
#364Nova Southeastern UniversityFort Lauderdale, FL · 7,240 undergrads$30,371
#365Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC · 19,444 undergrads$16,836
#366Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgeville, GA · 5,947 undergrads$20,686
#367Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, AL · 2,630 undergrads$35,013
#368Harding UniversitySearcy, AR · 3,382 undergrads$22,130
#369University of DallasIrving, TX · 1,403 undergrads$22,610
#370University of WyomingLaramie, WY · 7,944 undergrads$13,599
#371Loyola University New OrleansNew Orleans, LA · 2,812 undergrads$23,696
#372Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashville, TN · 1,737 undergrads$16,813
#373Whitman CollegeWalla Walla, WA · 1,531 undergrads$33,313
#374Old Dominion UniversityNorfolk, VA · 17,514 undergrads$14,638
#375Howard UniversityWashington, DC · 10,108 undergrads$50,539
#376Bates CollegeLewiston, ME · 1,760 undergrads$29,351
#377College of CharlestonCharleston, SC · 10,558 undergrads$18,960
#378Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN · 13,988 undergrads$14,940
#379University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA · 20,370 undergrads$30,434
#380University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC · 14,062 undergrads$10,965
#381Ithaca CollegeIthaca, NY · 4,242 undergrads$33,926
#382Houston Christian UniversityHouston, TX · 2,886 undergrads$20,629
#383Wayne State UniversityDetroit, MI · 15,587 undergrads$12,766
#384University of Missouri-St LouisSaint Louis, MO · 5,024 undergrads$15,071
#385Dordt UniversitySioux Center, IA · 1,597 undergrads$25,807
#386Cedarville UniversityCedarville, OH · 4,024 undergrads$24,468
#387Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan Diego, CA · 3,188 undergrads$38,729
#388Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg, PA · 2,259 undergrads$26,502
#389College of the OzarksPoint Lookout, MO · 1,444 undergrads$6,100
#390University of Alabama in HuntsvilleHuntsville, AL · 6,591 undergrads$18,796
#391CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY · 16,289 undergrads$2,984
#392University of Alabama at BirminghamBirmingham, AL · 11,635 undergrads$18,749
#393George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR · 2,699 undergrads$31,679
#394College of WoosterWooster, OH · 1,730 undergrads$23,458
#395Bob Jones UniversityGreenville, SC · 2,005 undergrads$16,641
#396University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY · 14,727 undergrads$17,988
#397Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · 10,780 undergrads$13,194
#398Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC · 10,024 undergrads$13,315
#399Millikin UniversityDecatur, IL · 1,382 undergrads$21,989
#400Tarleton State UniversityStephenville, TX · 12,673 undergrads$20,783
#401University of Mary Hardin-BaylorBelton, TX · 2,759 undergrads$26,106
#402Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NY · 2,444 undergrads$39,343
#403University of MemphisMemphis, TN · 12,701 undergrads$12,397
#404Lipscomb UniversityNashville, TN · 2,997 undergrads$24,739
#405Xavier University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · 2,628 undergrads$17,127
#406North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboro, NC · 12,182 undergrads$10,846
#407Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, GA · 2,844 undergrads$39,013
#408Valdosta State UniversityValdosta, GA · 6,622 undergrads$10,945
#409Northern Kentucky UniversityHighland Heights, KY · 8,246 undergrads$8,191
#410Western Michigan UniversityKalamazoo, MI · 12,568 undergrads$15,273
#411Mercer UniversityMacon, GA · 4,500 undergrads$23,847
#412Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA · 2,544 undergrads$27,579
#413Utah State UniversityLogan, UT · 20,272 undergrads$14,936
#414Stephen F Austin State UniversityNacogdoches, TX · 8,728 undergrads$14,260
#415Union UniversityJackson, TN · 1,607 undergrads$27,171
#416Ohio Wesleyan UniversityDelaware, OH · 1,516 undergrads$20,897
#417Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · 6,764 undergrads$16,804
#418Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State, MS · 18,397 undergrads$17,595
#419Muskingum UniversityNew Concord, OH · 1,376 undergrads$19,532
#420Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI · 10,055 undergrads$15,407
#421Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee, FL · 7,582 undergrads$13,739
#422Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs, MI · 1,224 undergrads$12,547
#423Metropolitan State University of DenverDenver, CO · 15,002 undergrads$15,327
#424University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroe, LA · 5,022 undergrads$13,466
#425Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboro, TN · 16,301 undergrads$13,359
#426Miami UniversityOxford, OH · 16,656 undergrads$28,384
#427Biola UniversityLa Mirada, CA · 3,474 undergrads$31,495
#428Oral Roberts UniversityTulsa, OK · 3,487 undergrads$25,365
#429North Carolina Central UniversityDurham, NC · 6,081 undergrads$15,359
#430Dalton State CollegeDalton, GA · 4,553 undergrads$5,012
#431Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannah, GA · 15,243 undergrads$49,430
#432Abilene Christian UniversityAbilene, TX · 3,195 undergrads$26,182
#433Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleCarbondale, IL · 8,494 undergrads$13,297
#434Taylor UniversityUpland, IN · 2,025 undergrads$24,865
#435Prairie View A & M UniversityPrairie View, TX · 8,877 undergrads$13,570
#436University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanooga, TN · 10,074 undergrads$14,265
#437Knox CollegeGalesburg, IL · 1,127 undergrads$24,595
#438University of Central MissouriWarrensburg, MO · 5,648 undergrads$14,462
#439Ohio UniversityAthens, OH · 19,633 undergrads$21,637
#440Murray State UniversityMurray, KY · 6,688 undergrads$9,096
#441Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ · 22,903 undergrads$14,158
#442University of New MexicoAlbuquerque, NM · 17,244 undergrads$15,489
#443Cornerstone UniversityGrand Rapids, MI · 1,298 undergrads$20,301
#444Southern New Hampshire UniversityManchester, NH · 163,164 undergrads$36,708
#445University of Central OklahomaEdmond, OK · 10,170 undergrads$18,309
#446Pitzer CollegeClaremont, CA · 1,227 undergrads$34,191
#447University of TampaTampa, FL · 10,572 undergrads$36,211
#448Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green, OH · 12,812 undergrads$24,022
#449Belmont UniversityNashville, TN · 7,137 undergrads$33,147
#450Master's University and SeminarySanta Clarita, CA · 1,622 undergrads$32,647
#451Tulane University of LouisianaNew Orleans, LA · 7,767 undergrads$39,949
#452Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMarshall, MN · 2,315 undergrads$15,291
#453Lawrence UniversityAppleton, WI · 1,396 undergrads$23,401
#454Martin Luther CollegeNew Ulm, MN · 725 undergrads$18,463
#455New Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces, NM · 11,946 undergrads$8,889
#456Clark UniversityWorcester, MA · 2,214 undergrads$28,714
#457Mount Holyoke CollegeSouth Hadley, MA · 2,169 undergrads$26,441
#458Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute, IN · 6,188 undergrads$10,873
#459Southeast Missouri State UniversityCape Girardeau, MO · 6,373 undergrads$15,882
#460Eastern Kentucky UniversityRichmond, KY · 12,318 undergrads$11,040
#461Wright State UniversityDayton, OH · 6,762 undergrads$15,415
#462Chatham UniversityPittsburgh, PA · 1,232 undergrads$29,954
#463Montana State UniversityBozeman, MT · 14,451 undergrads$22,499
#464Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL · 7,036 undergrads$14,279
#465University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayette, LA · 12,428 undergrads$13,530
#466Kent State University at KentKent, OH · 19,320 undergrads$20,787
#467College of IdahoCaldwell, ID · 1,041 undergrads$19,481
#468University of CincinnatiCincinnati, OH · 29,882 undergrads$25,648
#469University of Tennessee-MartinMartin, TN · 4,866 undergrads$10,701
#470Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfield, MO · 13,313 undergrads$17,613
#471University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS · 10,075 undergrads$21,708
#472Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA · 26,623 undergrads$15,931
#474University of Alaska AnchorageAnchorage, AK · 7,212 undergrads$15,301
#475Benedictine CollegeAtchison, KS · 2,272 undergrads$27,891
#476University of ToledoToledo, OH · 9,770 undergrads$17,249
#477Oberlin CollegeOberlin, OH · 2,887 undergrads$38,645
#478Nazareth UniversityRochester, NY · 1,873 undergrads$29,357
#479Eastern New Mexico UniversityPortales, NM · 3,357 undergrads$4,904
#480Boise State UniversityBoise, ID · 17,674 undergrads$21,610
#481Colorado Christian UniversityLakewood, CO · 5,549 undergrads$29,500
#482Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY · 12,155 undergrads$10,990
#483Tennessee State UniversityNashville, TN · 4,848 undergrads$15,796
#484Bard CollegeAnnandale-On-Hudson, NY · 2,414 undergrads$34,649
#485Flagler CollegeSaint Augustine, FL · 2,391 undergrads$30,525
#486Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR · 9,110 undergrads$12,366
#487University of Akron Main CampusAkron, OH · 9,052 undergrads$13,946
#488Savannah State UniversitySavannah, GA · 2,833 undergrads$8,172
#489Clark Atlanta UniversityAtlanta, GA · 3,603 undergrads$37,702
#490University of West AlabamaLivingston, AL · 2,974 undergrads$12,684
#492Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · 2,071 undergrads$21,057
#493University of MaineOrono, ME · 8,496 undergrads$17,510
#494Lee UniversityCleveland, TN · 2,617 undergrads$18,878
#495Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH · 7,961 undergrads$12,767
#496Jackson State UniversityJackson, MS · 4,600 undergrads$23,836
#497Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS · 2,363 undergrads$13,265
#498Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourne, FL · 3,404 undergrads$35,639
#499Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA · 50,012 undergrads$29,357
#500Columbia College ChicagoChicago, IL · 5,368 undergrads$26,598

Rank positions are the editorial property of The Wall Street Journal with College Pulse and are reproduced with attribution for comparison and commentary. This table is not a reproduction of the publisher's full list — see The Wall Street Journal with College Pulse for that.

Compare against the other sources

The short answer

Salary impact and graduation-rate impact relative to predicted outcomes, plus a large current-student experience survey.

Best used for: Students who want to know which school will move their own outcome the most, not which has the fanciest peers.

Published weighting

The factors and percentages the publisher states, normalised where the publisher expresses them differently.

  • Salary impact (value added)33%
  • Years to recoup net cost17%
  • Graduation rate impact20%
  • Student experience survey20%
  • Diversity of the student body10%

Where it helps and where it misleads

Strengths

  • Value-added modelling is the most direct attempt to isolate what the college itself contributes.
  • Rewards regional and public institutions that lift first-generation students.
  • Student survey covers more than 100,000 respondents, a genuinely large sample.

Limitations

  • Value-added models depend on the choice of control variables; reasonable alternative models produce different orders.
  • A 2023 methodology overhaul broke comparability with earlier editions.
  • Salary data again comes from federal aid recipients only.
low year-over-year stabilityUses student surveys