Reviews and Rankings
How Principia Ranks
Principia College is frequently recognized for academic excellence, value, affordability, and alumni success. Here are a few recent reviews and rankings.
Best National Liberal Arts Colleges
Once again for 2019, U.S. News & World Report ranks Principia College among the top schools that emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the arts and sciences.
Best Value
Principia is ranked #5 (up from #9) on U.S. News & World Report's 2019 list of colleges that provide the highest quality education for the lowest price. We're the only Midwestern school in the Top 10—in the company of Williams, Pomona, Amherst, and Swarthmore Colleges. See the list.
Most Interesting
Principia is one of the “best and most interesting” colleges in the country, according to the 2019 edition of Fiske Guide to Colleges. Read the full write-up.
Most International
U.S. News & World Report recognizes Principia's global student body—#9 on its 2019 list of national liberal arts colleges with the largest proportions of international undergrads. See the list.
2019 Best Midwestern College
The Princeton Review has awarded Principia College a spot on its list of Best Midwestern schools that are “academically outstanding and well worth consideration.”
Best Value
Kiplinger ranks Principia College #42 in the nation among its 2018 best value liberal arts colleges.
Best Colleges
Principia is ranked #4 on BestColleges.com's 2018 list of Illinois colleges providing a quality education that prepares students for successful careers.
America's Top Colleges
Principia College is recognized as a top college in Forbes magazine's 2015 rankings.
Lowest Student Loan Debt
Principia ranks #7 among national liberal arts colleges whose 2017 graduates had the lightest debt loads, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2019 rankings.
Greenest Colleges
The Princeton Review recognizes Principia College among its 2018 list of Green Colleges.
Principia College’s commitment to sustainability has been honored by the Sierra Club in its 2018 Cool Schools list of greenest colleges and universities, as measured by campus sustainability programs and curricula.