208 best universities in the United States in 2026
Ranking based on the average of the three main global rankings: Shanghai (ARWU), Times Higher Education and QS.

Harvard University
Average rank: #2
No. 169University of New Hampshire
Public New Hampshire university, strong in marine sciences and engineering.
No. 170University of Texas at Arlington
Public Texas university, strong in engineering, nursing, and architecture.
No. 171Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Private Massachusetts university specializing in engineering and technology.
No. 172University of Texas at El Paso
Public Texas university, leader in engineering, health sciences, and border studies.
No. 173Oakland University
Public Michigan university, strong in engineering, business, and health.
No. 174Adelphi University
Private New York university strong in arts, sciences, and business.
No. 175University of Nebraska at Omaha
Public Nebraska university, strong in engineering, business, and education.
No. 176Nova Southeastern University
Private Florida university specializing in health, law, and business.
No. 177Rowan University
Public New Jersey university, strong in engineering, medicine, and business.
No. 178Florida Atlantic University
Public Florida university, strong in marine sciences and engineering.
No. 179Augusta University
Public Georgia university, specialized in health and biomedical sciences.
No. 180Oklahoma State University
Public university, strong in agriculture, engineering, and business.
No. 181Old Dominion University
Public Virginia university, strong in engineering, business, and sciences.
No. 182University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Public university, leader in hospitality, engineering, and arts.
No. 183Kent State University
Public research university, strong in aviation and education.
No. 184New Jersey Institute of Technology
Public university, specialized in engineering, technology, and architecture.
No. 185Ohio University
Public university, strong in journalism, business, and environmental sciences.
No. 186SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Public New York university, leader in medicine and public health.
No. 187University of Massachusetts Boston
Public urban university in Boston, strong in education, social sciences, and health.
No. 188University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Public university, specialized in engineering, business, and computer science.
No. 189University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Public urban university, leader in research, engineering, and arts.
No. 190West Virginia University
Public research university, specialized in engineering and natural resources.
No. 191University of Wyoming
Public university, renowned for agriculture, engineering, and environmental sciences.
No. 192University of Montana
Public university, specialized in environmental sciences and liberal arts.
