Discover the best colleges in the US according to the Times Higher Education’s trusted World University Rankings. This list highlights the which universities in the US excel in teaching, research, and global influence. The Times Higher Education US college rankings are based on a trusted methodology that evaluates universities across key performance indicators, including academic reputation, teaching quality and international outlook. This table provides valuable insights to help students, academics, and policymakers navigate the US university ranking landscape
| US Rank 2025 | WUR Rank 2025 | University | Overall | Teaching | Research Environment | Research Quality | Industry | International Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 98.1 | 99.2 | 96 | 99.7 | 100 | 93.8 |
| 2 | 3 | Harvard University | 97.7 | 97.3 | 99.9 | 99.3 | 85.7 | 90.1 |
| 3 | 4 | Princeton University | 97.5 | 98.3 | 98 | 98.9 | 96.9 | 87.4 |
| 4 | 6 | Stanford University | 97.2 | 97.5 | 97.3 | 99.6 | 100 | 85.1 |
| 5 | 7 | California Institute of Technology | 96.3 | 95.2 | 97.5 | 97.3 | 100 | 89.7 |
Key insights from the 2025 Times Higher Education US University Rankings
- There are 174 US universities and colleges are included in the 2025 THE World University Rankings
- Almost all states and about 130 cities are represented in the best US universities list.
- New York is the most-represented state among the best US universities for 2025, with 15 institutions, followed by 14 universities in California, 12 universities in Texas and 10 universities in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) secures the top spot as the best university in the United States.
- Harvard University and Princeton University complete the top three.
- Public universities show strong representation, with University of California, Berkeley, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) all ranking in the top 20.
The table for the best universities in the US was derived from data collected from the THE World University Rankings. The results are calculated using 18 performance indicators underlying five metrics: research environment, teaching (the learning environment), research quality, industry and international outlook. For more insights and a detailed breakdown of our ranking methodology, visit our methodology page. Use the US university ranking table above to explore the right institution for you.