Cornell University Secures Top Ranks in Latest U.S. News & World Report Assessment

Cornell's Performance in Recent Rankings

Cornell University has once again demonstrated its strong academic standing, featuring prominently in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. Released on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the assessment places Cornell as the 16th best university globally and the 12th best nationally.

The university's global ranking marks an improvement, rising by three places compared to the 2024-2025 global assessment. In the global category, Cornell shares the 16th position with institutions such as Princeton University, the University of California San Francisco, and the University of Toronto. Nationally, Cornell's ranking of 12th represents a slight decrease of one spot from its 11th position in the previous year.

Methodology Behind the Global and National Assessments

The U.S. News & World Report's 'Best Global Universities' rankings evaluate 2,250 institutions from over 100 countries. The methodology for these global rankings is primarily based on 13 indicators that measure academic research performance and both global and regional reputations. Key factors considered include global research reputation, regional research reputation, publications, citations, and international collaboration.

For the national rankings, U.S. News & World Report has adjusted its methodology in recent years, placing increased emphasis on factors such as graduation rates for students who receive need-based Pell grants.

Additional Recognitions and Context

Beyond its overall national ranking, Cornell University also received notable placements in several specialized categories. The institution was ranked 23rd in best value schools. Furthermore, it achieved a tie for 8th in undergraduate business programs and a tie for 7th in undergraduate computer science programs. Cornell also tied for 8th in undergraduate psychology programs. In the 'best colleges for veterans' category, Cornell was ranked 2nd, a change from its top position in the previous year.

In the broader landscape of higher education, institutions like Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Stanford University consistently hold top positions in both global and national rankings. Cornell's consistent presence among the top universities underscores its ongoing commitment to academic excellence and research impact.