RIT named a top 100 national university for fourth year in a row in ‘U.S. News’ best colleges ranking

Rochester Institute of Technology continues its run as a top 100 national university for the fourth year in a row, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The publication, which places RIT at No. 95, also cited it as being among the best universities in innovation, experiential learning with co-ops and internships, and value.

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This year, RIT jumped 10 spots in the “Most Innovative” category, landing at No. 32, while exposure to co-ops and internships for students remained strong, coming in at No. 5 in the nation. RIT is also ranked No. 44 for “Best Value” and No. 53 in the “National Private Universities” category. In total, RIT is cited in nine categories, which includes RIT’s undergraduate business program, leaping 19 spots from last year to No. 58.

More than 420 schools are listed in the National Universities category, which includes institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates. The 2027 edition evaluates more than 1,700 public and private colleges and universities across the United States.

Among the top citations, RIT was ranked:

• No. 5 for co-ops and internships. These programs expose college students to new academic experiences outside the classroom. Research shows these enhanced student experiences are linked to student success and positive learning outcomes, according to U.S. News.
• No. 32 for “Most Innovative.” U.S. News asked top university officials to identify institutions that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities.
• No. 44 for “Best Value.” This ranking considers academic quality, the percentage of full-time 2025-2026 academic year undergraduate students receiving need-based scholarships or grants, and the average discount from the 2025-2026 sticker price for full-time undergraduates receiving the average need-based grant.
• In addition to the undergraduate business program ranking, RIT’s undergraduate computer science program ranked No. 52, up 12 spots from two years ago, and undergraduate engineering ranked No. 57, among universities that offer doctoral engineering programs.

“Many people today are questioning whether a college education is worth the investment, but our place in the U.S. News & World Report rankings demonstrates that RIT has an educational model built for this moment when higher education faces challenges,” said Bill Sanders, RIT president. “Through applied research, experiential learning, global experiences, accessibility and opportunity, and employer partnerships, we are creating opportunities and developing critical thinking skills that prepare our students to be leaders while shaping and improving the world.”

As a “Best Value,” RIT was scored on overall academic quality, the percentage of full-time undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants, and the average discount from the university’s sticker price for full-time undergraduates receiving need-based grants.

RIT’s renowned internship and co-op program, one of the oldest and largest in the nation, remains a hallmark of experiential learning. More than 4,000 RIT students completed a co-op or internship assignment last year, engaging in paid work experience at national and global companies and organizations in nearly every career field. Recently, RIT ranked among the top 50 schools for “Colleges that Create Futures” in The Princetown Review Best 392 Colleges 2027 edition and was named one of the “Top 15 Colleges for Launching Your Career” by Forbes.

“RIT continues to prove that we are the right choice for students and parents who are looking for the best value in higher education and a significant return on investment,” said Kathleen B. Davis, vice president for Enrollment Management and associate provost. “These rankings are a testament to the fact that our students are sought by employers for co-ops, internships, and employment upon graduation and earn starting salaries well above the national average. This is what parents and students have come to expect.”

The full list of RIT’s rankings is on the U.S. News Best Colleges website.