The Best 391 Colleges, 2026: In-Depth Profiles & Ranking Lists to Help Find the Right College For You

NO ONE KNOWS COLLEGES LIKE THE PRINCETON REVIEW! This comprehensive guide to the nation's best colleges provides in-depth profiles on schools, best-of lists by interest, and tons of helpful student-driven details that will help you or your student choose their best-fit college!

The Princeton Review's college rankings started in 1992 with surveys from 30,000 students. Over 30 years and more than a million student surveys later, we stand by our claim that there is no single “best” college, only the best college for you … and that this is the book that will help you find it!

Straight from Students to You

391 in-depth school profiles based on candid feedback from 160,000+ students, covering academics, administration, campus life, and financial aidInsights on unique college character, social scene, and moreDirect quotes from students about their school’s professors, campus culture, career services, and more

Ranking Lists & Rating Scores

Lists of the top 25 colleges in 50 categories based on students' opinions of academics, campus life, facilities, and much more Ratings for every school on Financial Aid, Selectivity, and Quality of Life

Detailed Admissions Info

The "Inside Word" on competitive applications, test scores, tuition, and average indebtednessComprehensive information on selectivity, freshman profiles, and application deadlines at each school

Plus! Free access to 2 full-length practice tests online (1 SAT and 1 ACT) to help you prep for the important admissions-exams part of your admissions journey.

Series Overview: The Princeton Review's The Best Colleges is an annual title, showcasing the nation's top colleges and providing helpful school profiles, ranking info, and ratings on a variety of issues important to students.

About the Author

The experts at The Princeton Review have been helping students, parents, and educators achieve the best results at every stage of the education process since 1981. The Princeton Review has helped millions succeed on standardized tests, and provides expert advice and instruction to help parents, teachers, students, and schools navigate the complexities of school admission. In addition to classroom courses in over 40 states and 20 countries, The Princeton Review also offers online and school-based courses, one-to-one and small-group tutoring, as well as online services in both admission counseling and academic homework help.