CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The new 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings are out and the University of Virginia retains its No. 4 spot in Best Public institutions in the land. While in the same spot among public colleges and universities, UVA did slip two spots to 26th from 24th in 2025, but Education Managing Editor LaMont Jones notes there’s just a small difference in adjacent spots. Also notable, UVA is joined by ACC Rival North Carolina-Chapel Hill in a tie for the fourth and 26th spots in each list.
“US News has evolved and improved our system over the decades primarily using indicators of how well colleges educate and graduate students,” Jones said.
“Outcomes measures like job obtainment and social mobility comprise about half the methodology.”…