College rankings, like those of US News and World Report, remain influential, despite their many flaws and decades of criticism

College rankings assign schools numbers that may correspond more closely with their wealth than other factors of quality, critics say. Talaj/iStock via Getty Images Plus

U.S. colleges and universities are governed by many traditions – including the annual U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, which list schools based on a variety of factors, like graduation rates and reputation.

This year’s rankings hit the streets on Sept. 22, 2026. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology topped the list of national universities, and Williams College ranked first among the list of national liberal arts colleges.