A college degree is one of the most important investments an individual can make, according to a recent study by the White House’s Council of Economic Advisers.
To find the college that’s the best fit, prospective students and their families can turn to the recently released 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
The 2017 edition includes data on more than 1,800 colleges and universities, of which 1,374 are ranked. Under the rankings methodology, eligible schools are divided into different categories such as National Universities and Regional Colleges, and evaluated on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence, such as freshman retention, faculty resources and graduation rates – to name a few.
Among National Universities, which emphasize research and offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs, Princeton University in New Jersey once again took No. 1, Massachusetts’ Harvard University remained in second place and the University of Chicago moved up one spot to tie with Yale University in Connecticut for third place.
Other changes in this year’s top 10 include California’s Stanford University and New York’s Columbia University moving down one spot from a tie at fourth to a tie at No. 5. The University of Pennsylvania traveled up one notch to No. 8, while California Institute of Technology dropped two places to No. 12.