For the first time in nearly a decade, Stanford University has claimed the top spot in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 ranking of the best colleges in America.

This is Stanford’s first return to No. 1 since 2017 and ranking is based on return on investment, strong career prospects, and long-term financial success.

WSJ rankings evaluated 584 US colleges and universities with one major focus, how well they prepare students for life after graduation, especially in terms of salary potential and job readiness.

That means it is not just about academic prestige anymore. It is about real-world results.

WSJ rankings

Stanford climbed two places to take the lead this year. It earned a near-perfect salary impact score of 99, a graduation rate of 94, and a perfect 100 in diversity.

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