WASHINGTON - U.S. News & World Report announced Tuesday the 2026 Best Colleges rankings.

Nearly 1,700 colleges and universities have been evaluated in the latest national and regional rankings, which measure academic quality across 17 key indicators. The results highlight consistent performance at the top: eight schools maintained their No. 1 positions across ten ranking categories, while the remaining two secured strong second-place finishes.

What they're saying:

"For over four decades, Best Colleges has served as a trusted and data-backed resource for students and families navigating the complex college search process," LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said in a news release. "Over the years, Best Colleges has evolved into a comprehensive tool that

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