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The Best 391 Colleges, 2026

The Best 391 Colleges, 2026

In-Depth Profiles & Ranking Lists to Help Find the Right College For You

About the Book

NO ONE KNOWS COLLEGES LIKE THE PRINCETON REVIEW! This comprehensive guide to the nation's best colleges provides in-depth profiles on schools, best-of lists by interest, and tons of helpful student-driven details that will help you or your student choose their best-fit college!

The Princeton Review's college rankings started in 1992 with surveys from 30,000 students. Over 30 years and more than a million student surveys later, we stand by our claim that there is no single “best” college, only the best college for you … and that this is the book that will help you find it!

Straight from Students to You
  • 391 in-depth school profiles based on candid feedback from 170,000+ students, covering academics, administration, campus life, and financial aid
  • Insights on unique college character, social scene, and more
  • Direct quotes from students about their school’s professors, campus culture, career services, and more

Ranking Lists & Rating Scores
  • Lists of the top 25 colleges in 50 categories based on students' opinions of academics, campus life, facilities, and much more 
  • Ratings for every school on Financial Aid, Selectivity, and Quality of Life

Detailed Admissions Info
  • The "Inside Word" on competitive applications, test scores, tuition, and average indebtedness
  • Comprehensive information on selectivity, freshman profiles, and application deadlines at each school

Plus! Free access to 2 full-length practice tests online (1 SAT and 1 ACT) to help you prep for the important admissions-exams part of your admissions journey.
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College Admissions Guides Series

Paying for College, 2026
The Best 391 Colleges, 2026
Paying for College, 2025
The Best 390 Colleges, 2025
Essays that Kicked Apps: 55+ Unforgettable College Application Essays that Got Students Accepted
The K&W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Differences, 16th Edition
The Princeton Review Complete Homework Planner
The Ultimate Guide to HBCUs
College Admission 101, 3rd Edition
The College Wellness Guide
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About the Author

The Princeton Review
The experts at The Princeton Review have been empowering students, parents, and teachers to achieve their best results at every stage of the education process since 1981. The Princeton Review has helped millions succeed on standardized tests and navigate the complexities of school admission. In addition to classroom courses in more than forty states and twenty countries, The Princeton Review also offers online courses, one-to-one and small-group tutoring, and online services in both admission counseling and academic homework assistance. More by The Princeton Review
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About the Author

Robert Franek
Robert J Franek is a graduate of Drew University and has been a member of The Princeton Review Staff since 1999. He has an extensive admissions background at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. In addition, he owns his own tour company, which offers walking tours of his hometown of New York City.

Eric Owens attended Cornell University, and is a recent graduate of Loyola Chicago School of Law. He teaches and writes for The Princeton Review, and is the voice of Joe Bloggs on a CD-ROM.

Tom Meltzer is a graduate of Columbia University. He has taught for The Princeton Review since 1986 and is the author or co-author of seven TPR titles, the most recent of which is Illustrated Word Smart, which Tom co-wrote with his wife, Lisa. He is also a professional musician and songwriter. More by Robert Franek
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About the Author

David Soto
Robert J Franek is a graduate of Drew University and has been a member of The Princeton Review Staff since 1999. He has an extensive admissions background at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. In addition, he owns his own tour company, which offers walking tours of his hometown of New York City.

Eric Owens attended Cornell University, and is a recent graduate of Loyola Chicago School of Law. He teaches and writes for The Princeton Review, and is the voice of Joe Bloggs on a CD-ROM.

Tom Meltzer is a graduate of Columbia University. He has taught for The Princeton Review since 1986 and is the author or co-author of seven TPR titles, the most recent of which is Illustrated Word Smart, which Tom co-wrote with his wife, Lisa. He is also a professional musician and songwriter. More by David Soto
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About the Author

Stephen Koch
Robert J Franek is a graduate of Drew University and has been a member of The Princeton Review Staff since 1999. He has an extensive admissions background at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. In addition, he owns his own tour company, which offers walking tours of his hometown of New York City.

Eric Owens attended Cornell University, and is a recent graduate of Loyola Chicago School of Law. He teaches and writes for The Princeton Review, and is the voice of Joe Bloggs on a CD-ROM.

Tom Meltzer is a graduate of Columbia University. He has taught for The Princeton Review since 1986 and is the author or co-author of seven TPR titles, the most recent of which is Illustrated Word Smart, which Tom co-wrote with his wife, Lisa. He is also a professional musician and songwriter. More by Stephen Koch
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About the Author

Aaron Riccio
Robert J Franek is a graduate of Drew University and has been a member of The Princeton Review Staff since 1999. He has an extensive admissions background at Wagner College in Staten Island, NY. In addition, he owns his own tour company, which offers walking tours of his hometown of New York City.

Eric Owens attended Cornell University, and is a recent graduate of Loyola Chicago School of Law. He teaches and writes for The Princeton Review, and is the voice of Joe Bloggs on a CD-ROM.

Tom Meltzer is a graduate of Columbia University. He has taught for The Princeton Review since 1986 and is the author or co-author of seven TPR titles, the most recent of which is Illustrated Word Smart, which Tom co-wrote with his wife, Lisa. He is also a professional musician and songwriter. More by Aaron Riccio
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