Washington College Ranks Highly in Nationwide Surveys

Washington College was again announced as a Top 100 Best National Liberal Arts College, ranking #92 in the latest U.S. News & World Report annual ranking of Best Colleges. The new ranking represents an upward climb for the College, marking an improvement from the previous two years. The College also ranked as a Top 100 Best Value School and received high marks in Social Mobility for students as well in the report.   

These accolades come as the College also recently received national recognition in The Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges for 2026, placing it among the top 15% of colleges nationwide. It does not rank the 391 top colleges—just noting that they are all among the best in the nation—but it does provide top 25 rankings in each of multiple categories.

The same report ranked Washington #22 nationally in the “Professors Get High Marks” category, based on student surveys, and included the College on the Best Mid-Atlantic Colleges and Green Colleges lists as well.  

The U.S. News & World Report rankings examine more than 1,800 colleges and universities throughout the country. For the primary rankings, Washington College is evaluated alongside other schools focused on undergraduate education that issue more than half of their degrees in the arts and sciences. A dozen criteria are considered, with the greatest weight being given to peer assessments and graduation rates. Top-ranked schools provided ample classroom resources for students and faculty, conferred bachelor’s degrees at high rates, and produced graduates who entered the workforce with manageable debt and worthwhile starting salaries.

“This recognition is a testament to the transformative education we provide,” said Interim President Bryan Matthews. “At Washington College, we equip our students with an invaluable ‘tool kit’ for life—the ability to think critically, adapt, and engage with diverse perspectives. This ranking underscores the value of the education we offer and what it means for our current students and those who will join our community in the future. We are a place where students can explore and engage deeply to shape the life they want to lead.”   

—Dominique Ellis Falcon