2016 Best Liberal Arts Colleges

While the best national universities ranking gets more attention, “US News & World Report” has also released its ranking of the best liberal arts colleges for 2016 and, once again, Williams College has topped the list. For those unfamiliar with college rankings, there are lots of them out there but the “US News & World Report” one is the kingpin of the crowded pack. If college rankings were a bunch of NFL football teams from the last decade and a half, the “US News & World Report” ranking is the New England Patriots, without the scandals (though we’re glad Tom Brady has been freed alas!).

Williams College has topped the 2016 “US News & World Report” ranking for best liberal arts college.

Ranking second for best liberal arts college of 2016 after Williams College (surprise surprise) is Amherst College. Finishing in third is Swarthmore College, followed by a four-way tie between Bowdoin College, Middlebury College, Pomona College, and Wellesley College. Ranking eighth is Carleton College. Coming in at ninth is a three-way tie between Claremont McKenna College, Davidson College, and the United States Naval Academy (Annapolis). Haverford College and Vassar College finished in a tie for twelfth, while there was a five-way tie for fourteenth place between Hamilton College, Harvey Mudd College, Smith College, Washington and Lee University, and Wesleyan University. Rounding out the top twenty in nineteenth place is a three-way tie between Colby College, Colgate University, and Grinnell College. The United States Military Academy (West Point) is on the outside of the top twenty, looking in this year.

Interestingly, Annapolis and West Point didn’t fair too well on another college ranking this year…one of happy students. Interestingly, we work with many students each and every year seeking to transfer from these academies. If you’re going to matriculate to West Point or Annapolis, know that it’s for you! These are fantastic schools, two of the most prestigious in the world, but they are certainly not for everyone nor would these institutions suggest that they are.