Princeton falls from top spot on US News rankings

Princeton University has fallen from the top spot on U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings for the first time in 15 years.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) beat the long-time champs, with Princeton dropping to the second spot and Harvard University coming in third.

While MIT did not directly comment on its No. 1 designation, it celebrated the its reputation among elite institutions.

“MIT is part of a strong network of excellent colleges and universities across the nation, dedicated to educating students and pursuing curiosity-driven research. America’s economic strength, scientific leadership, and national security depend on world-class education and research institutions, and MIT is proud to be one of them,” the university said in a statement.

The Hill has reached out to Princeton for comment.

The U.S. News & World Report college rankings have dealt with complaints for years from schools over the criteria of the list and its influence over student choices, although that impact has been seen as waning.

U.S. News said the 2027 ranking had “significant methodology changes,” such as a new earnings ranking factor that evaluates the earnings of students four years after graduation.

“With families increasingly scrutinizing the true cost and return on investment of a college degree, our goal is to provide clear, actionable data,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News.

“The 2027 Best Colleges rankings serve as a vital decision-making tool for prospective students and parents, offering transparent metrics on outcomes, affordability and academic quality to help families make fully informed financial and educational investments,” Jones added.

Private institutions dominated the top 19 spots on the list, with the University of California Berkeley and the University of California, Los Angeles, tying for the top public university designation at number 20 on the list.

While some schools have begun to deny U.S. News information it wants for the rankings, many still cling to the list as a way to get on students’ radars.