Current Rankings
Einstein once admonished that we measure what we can count easily, but often fail to measure what really counts. This is a central problem of social science, and rankings are susceptible to this methodological weakness.
Rankings are a modestly important and highly imperfect reflection of quality: modestly important because we use rankings as a shorthand proxy for value, and highly imperfect, as many ranking systems and publications apply seemingly arbitrary weights and inadequate survey methodologies.
In sum, we should look at rankings through a thoughtful analytical perspective to avoid two alternative negative tendencies. We should not allow rankings to define who we are or what we value, and we should not pretend that they do not matter at all.
Accordingly, we should have a balanced, transparent, and thoughtful approach to value-driven metrics for the College. Here we list all of our rankings and advise readers to examine the methodologies that we hyperlink below. We will then urge you to study the methodology and draw your own conclusions on the strength of the methodology and the alignment of what’s measured with what’s most important to you.
2025 Rankings
#1
Free Speech
FIRE Free Speech
Methodology
#1
Friendliest Students
Princeton Review*
Methodology
#3
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
NICHE
Methodology
#5
Best Colleges in the U.S.
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges
Methodology
#5
Forbes’ Top 50 Small Colleges
Forbes
Methodology
#8
Top Liberal Arts Colleges
LinkedIn
Methodology
*Claremont McKenna College received multiple rankings in the top 10 of the Princeton Review.
#8
National Liberal Arts Colleges
US News and World Report
Methodology
#2
Value and Earning Potential in Liberal Arts Colleges
DegreeChoices
Methodology
#3
Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America
NICHE
Methodology
5/5
stars
Affordability/Student Outcomes
Money
Methodology
#2
Liberal Arts Universities
Forbes
Methodology
#2
Best National Liberal Arts College
College Consensus
Methodology
#3
Top US Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges
IDEAS
Methodology
#6
Free Speech
FIRE College Free Speech
Methodology
#9
Top Liberal Arts Colleges
Washington Monthly
Methodology
#14
Best Universities for a Bachelor’s Degree/College Salary
payscale
Methodology
#9
Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup, NCAA Division III (2023-24)
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)
Methodology
#6
The Top Colleges for High-Paying Careers in Finance, Tech and Consulting
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges
Methodology
A+
Financial Grade (2023)
Forbes College Financial Grades
Methodology
#1
Top Colleges by Size in the Western U.S. (2023)
Wall Street Journal
Methodology
#6
Top 20 Best Career Placement (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#9
Top 20 Best Value Colleges w/o Aid (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#11
Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#1
Most Politically Active Students (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#4
Friendliest Students (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#4
Best Athletic Facilities (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#4
Best Career Services (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#4
Most Active Student Government (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology
#4
Top US Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
IDEAS
Methodology
#7
Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
College Raptor Liberal Arts College
Methodology
#12
Top Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology
#3
Earnings Performance (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology
#5
Social Mobility (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology
#2
Best National Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
College Consensus
Methodology
#2
Best Colleges & Universities in the West (2023)
College Consensus
Methodology
#10
Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup, NCAA Division III (2022-23)
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) (2022)
Methodology