Illinois and Midwest Universities Excel in Latest Best Colleges 2025 Rankings

Midwest university campus excellence.

Illinois Colleges Shine in New Rankings

CHICAGO – This week, several colleges and universities from Illinois and the Midwest made headlines with impressive upgrades in their rankings from the yearly U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Best Colleges” for 2025. The report, released Tuesday, evaluated nearly 1,500 institutions based on 17 different criteria, including crucial factors like graduation rates, borrower debt, and faculty salaries.

Highlights from the Rankings

In this prestigious annual assessment, Northwestern University situated in suburban Evanston earned the remarkable position of No. 6, tying with Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Duke University in Durham, and California Institute of Technology from Pasadena. Last year, Northwestern was ranked No. 9, showcasing a significant jump in recognition.

The University of Chicago also stood out, landing in a two-way tie for the No. 11 spot along with Cornell University from Ithaca, New York. This marks an improvement from its previous ranking of No. 12. Close behind, Notre Dame university from South Bend, Indiana, secured the No. 18 spot, sharing it with Vanderbilt University from Nashville, Tennessee, and Rice University in Houston.

Other Notable Rankings

Two additional Midwestern institutions made the list of the top 25 colleges. The University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Washington University in St. Louis tied for the No. 21 position. This is a noteworthy achievement reflecting their consistent performance and quality of education.

Social Mobility Recognition

This year’s report also highlighted colleges that excelled in helping economically disadvantaged students. Lake Forest College, a liberal arts college in suburban Lake Forest, tied for the top spot on the “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list with Spelman College located in Atlanta, Georgia. This recognition underscores the colleges’ commitment to providing opportunities for all students.

Top 10 Colleges in the 2025 Rankings

No. 1: Princeton University – New Jersey
No. 2: Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Cambridge, Massachusetts
No. 3: Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts
No. 4: Stanford University – Stanford, California
No. 5: Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut
No. 6 – four-way tie: California Institute of Technology, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University
No. 10: University of Pennsylvania – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
No. 11 – two-way tie: Cornell University, University of Chicago
No. 13 – two-way tie: Brown University, Columbia University
No. 15 – two-way tie: Dartmouth College, University of California, Los Angeles
No. 17: University of California, Berkeley
No. 18 – three-way tie: Rice University, University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University
No. 21: Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Washington University in St. Louis
No. 24: Emory University, Georgetown University, University of Virginia

Additional Notes

Due to the number of ties in this year’s ranking, the list does not include a 25th spot, with the next university on the list being University of North Carolina Chapel Hill at No. 27. The rankings reflect the ongoing adjustments in the education landscape, marking a pivotal moment for both students and educational institutions striving for excellence.

Conclusion

As the education sector continues to evolve, these rankings serve as a vital reference point for students and parents looking to make informed decisions about higher education. The improvement seen by many Illinois and Midwestern colleges is a testament to their hard work and commitment to providing quality education.