Liberal Arts Colleges Climbed in 2027 Rankings

Claremont McKenna and Pomona College moved up to third place in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in College Applications

Liberal Arts Colleges Climbed in 2027 Rankings

Live Poll

Do national college rankings accurately reflect the quality of an undergraduate education?

Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College tied for third in the 2027 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges list. The two institutions previously held seventh place in the annual rankings.

Why it matters

The updated publication reflects a significant shift in methodology, placing greater weight on post-graduate outcomes for students. This approach aims to provide clearer insight into the long-term success of graduates from these institutions.

Claremont McKenna College and Pomona College secured third place in the 2027 rankings, moving up from seventh. Harvey Mudd College earned the eighth spot in the same report.

The players

U.S. News & World Report

This media organization is widely recognized for its annual rankings of higher education institutions in the United States.

Claremont McKenna College

Located in Claremont, California, this private liberal arts college is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium.

Pomona College

This highly selective liberal arts institution in Claremont, California, is a founding member of the Claremont Colleges.

Harvey Mudd College

This private college in Claremont, California, specializes in science, engineering, and mathematics within the liberal arts tradition.

The details

The rankings were revised this year to incorporate earnings by major as a primary factor for the first time. By emphasizing post-graduate success, the publication seeks to better align institutional evaluations with the financial realities faced by modern degree holders.

The 2027 college rankings were published in 2026.

Roadmap

These shifts highlight the ongoing evolution of higher education assessment toward metrics focused on return on investment. As institutions prioritize post-graduate financial performance, rankings are increasingly serving as tools for measuring long-term economic efficacy.

Prospective students may need to adjust their evaluation of these schools based on the new focus on graduate earnings. Families can utilize this shift to better understand the long-term career outcomes associated with choosing a liberal arts curriculum.

The takeaway

The increased focus on graduate earnings suggests that academic prestige is no longer the sole metric for assessing institutional success. Students should weigh these updated rankings alongside their personal career goals when navigating the application process.