The Wall Street Journal ranked Quinnipiac University No. 51 in its 2026 Best Colleges in America list. This is the highest ranking the university has been awarded and is significantly higher than the previous year’s No. 91 ranking.
Quinnipiac is the second highest ranked Connecticut school, after No. 3 Yale University. Aside from Yale and Quinnipiac, only two other Connecticut universities — No. 81 Fairfield University and No. 88 University of Connecticut — made it into the top 100.
“It was incredibly exciting and affirming to see Quinnipiac climb 40 spots to No. 51 in the WSJ/College Pulse rankings,” Provost Debra Liebowitz wrote in a statement to The Chronicle. “This significant jump demonstrates national recognition for the university’s commitment to student success, real-world outcomes, and top-notch learning environments. It’s especially meaningful given that Quinnipiac now ranks second among Connecticut institutions — just behind Yale.”
In collaboration with their research partners College Pulse and Statista, the WSJ ranks the 584 eligible universities. The schools are given an overall score and rated based on student outcomes, diversity and survey results.
“The components and weights of the various metrics used in the rankings vary across rankings and may change over time” Liebowitz wrote. “Our philosophy is not to invest for the sake of rankings but rather to prioritize investments in student success.”
This year Quinnipiac received an overall score of 80.2, leaving the university tied with No. 52. California State University, Northridge. For perspective, Quinnipiac’s score for the previous year was 77.
Both the student outcomes and survey results are broken down into subcategories. Quinnipiac’s scores improved in almost every category, with the exception of salary impact score which decreased from 97 to 81.
The most significant increase was in diversity which increased from 64 to 79.
Liebowitz found several factors that contributed to the overall increase in ranking — improvement in graduation rate impact, value added to graduates’ salaries and return on investment as well as stronger scores spanning learning environment metrics and recognition of the university’s efforts to foster inclusion
In addition to the several categories in the methodology, part of the ranking reflects current and former students as well.
“It’s important to note that 20% of this ranking is based on direct feedback from students and alumni,” Liebowitz wrote. “That makes it especially meaningful—it reflects not just institutional performance, but lived experience. The WSJ methodology prioritizes real-world impact, and Quinnipiac’s performance shows that we’re delivering on our promise to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lives.”
Quinnipiac’s ranking benefits outside perspective of the university as well.
“This ranking sends a powerful message to prospective students and families: Quinnipiac delivers strong return on investment: a high-quality education with excellent career outcomes and a supportive and relevant learning environment,” Liebowitz wrote. “For employers and partners, the WSJ ranking reinforces the quality and preparedness of QU graduates and affirms our visibility and reputation as a national leader in student-centered, career-ready education.”
