Full Breakdown
Illinois Colleges Shift in U.S. News Rankings Amid New Methodology
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
U.S. News & World Report released its annual “best colleges” list, placing Northwestern University and the University of Chicago tied for ninth nationally. The University of Chicago fell three spots from sixth place in 2026, while Northwestern dropped from seventh the prior year. Massachusetts Institute of Technology overtook Princeton University for the top national spot.
Background & Context
The 2027 rankings incorporate a new “Earnings by Major” metric, which evaluates average earnings four years after graduation for students who received federal financial aid and hold a bachelor’s degree. U.S. News introduced this criterion to address public concerns about affordability and long-term value, aiming to reduce the influence of pre-existing family financial advantages.
Data & Statistics
- Northwestern University and the University of Chicago: tied for 9th place (down from 7th and 6th, respectively).
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology: #1, displacing Princeton University after a 15-year run at the top.
- Illinois Institute of Technology: slipped from 117 to 121, now tied with Loyola University Chicago.
- Loyola University Chicago: rose 11 places, from 132 to 121.
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: rose to a tie for 34th place with Boston University, University of Texas at Austin, UC Davis, UC Irvine, University of Florida, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Wake Forest University.
- University of Illinois Chicago: dropped 11 spots to a tie for 95th with the University of Missouri, American University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Rutgers University-Camden.
Impact
The ranking shifts reflect both the new earnings-based metric and recent enrollment growth at Illinois public universities. UI Chicago reported its highest enrollment in school history for a second straight year, exceeding 37,000 students for the fall 2026 semester, while UI Urbana-Champaign surpassed 61,000 students for the first time. These enrollment gains likely contributed to UI Urbana-Champaign’s rise, whereas UI Chicago’s decline coincides with a modest dip despite larger student numbers.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. News explained that the earnings metric uses data from the U.S. The organization emphasized that the new criterion evaluates the “true value” institutions add to graduates, aiming to provide a more affordable-focused assessment of college performance.