Best Colleges In Pennsylvania: U.S. News Releases New Rankings

Pittsburgh PA

15 September, 2020

9:16 AM

Description

PENNSYLVANIA —As students and colleges across the nation grapple with the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, U.S. News & World Report on Monday remained steadfast with the release of its 2021 edition of Best U.S. Colleges, a list that includes several schools in Pennsylvania. Despite how the pandemic has forced current and potential students to alter college plans, U.S. News said in a news release that it must "continue providing students and their families with the tools they need to help find the right school for them." To rank colleges, U.S. News first placed each school into a category based on its mission and, in some cases, its geographical location in the United States. U.S. News then evaluated more than 1,400 colleges and universities on 17 indicators of academic quality. The colleges are ranked based on their overall scores. The data used for this year's rankings was gathered in spring and early summer 2020; however, the publication noted that the pandemic did not affect the numbers. This year's edition also includes several methodology updates. The new measures look at timely topics such as student debt, social mobility and test-blind admissions policies. U.S. News also added new weights and indicators to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and added a new ranking for computer science programs. See more detailed methodologies and frequently asked questions about the rankings. These Pennsylvania colleges and universities were included in this year's rankings: National Universities University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. Ranked 8th.Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. Ranked 26th.Lehigh University, Bethlehem. Ranked 49th.Villanova University, Philadelphia. Ranked 53rd.University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Ranked 58th. National Liberal Arts Colleges Swathmore College, Swathmore. Raked 3rd.Haverford College, Haveford. Ranked 15th.Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr. Ranked 28thBucknell University, Lewisburg. Ranked 34th.Layfayette College, Easton. Ranked 40th. Regional Universities University of Scranton, Scranton. Ranked 6th.St. Josephs University, Philadelphia. Ranked 8th.Messiah University, Mechanicsburg. Ranked 19th.La Salle University, Philadelphia. Ranked 26th (tie).St. Francis University, Loretto. Ranked 26th (tie). Regional Colleges Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport. Ranked 15th.University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Bradford. Ranked 19th.Pittsburgh Technical College, Oakdale. Ranked 25th.Pierce College, Philadelphia. Ranked 28th.Thiel College, Greenville. Ranked 30th. Princeton University is once again No. 1 among National Universities, and Williams College remains in the top spot among National Liberal Arts Colleges. For Top Public Schools, the University of California - Los Angeles is No. 1 among National Universities. The United States Naval Academy ranks No. 1 for Top Public Schools among National Liberal Arts Colleges. See all of 2021's Best U.S. Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.