{"id":222982,"date":"2025-10-02T08:33:48","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:33:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=222982"},"modified":"2025-10-02T08:47:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T18:47:38","slug":"wsj-best-colleges-2026-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/10\/02\/wsj-best-colleges-2026-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa climbs in WSJ<\/abbr> best colleges 2026 rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Students<\/p>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa climbed 62 spots to No. 240 overall in the Wall Street Journal<\/em><\/abbr> (WSJ<\/abbr>) \/College Pulse<\/abbr> 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.<\/abbr> rankings<\/a>, released September 29. This year\u2019s list included 584 universities nationwide, and UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa placed No. 97 among public universities.<\/p>\n

UH<\/abbr> News<\/em> story: Related Wall Street Journal<\/em>: UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa is one of nation’s best colleges<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

As the flagship campus of the 10-campus UH<\/abbr> system, the university received strong marks for diversity (84) and above-average scores in learning environment and student outcomes. UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s affordability was also highlighted, with an average net price of $13,181, a $31,504 value added to graduate salaries, and an estimated 1 year and 8 months for students to pay off the net price of their degree.<\/p>\n

“This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to supporting student success while advancing discovery and opportunity across Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>,” said UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Interim Provost Vassilis Syrmos. “Moving up in a national ranking like this is encouraging, but even more important to us are the student outcomes behind the numbers: stronger graduation rates, meaningful career preparation and the affordability that helps our graduates start their careers with less debt.”<\/p>\n

The 2026 rankings incorporated survey responses from about 120,000 students and recent alumni.<\/p>\n

Leading in research, innovation<\/h2>\n

While the WSJ<\/abbr> rankings focus on student outcomes, learning environment and diversity, it does not account for research activity, an area in which UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa continues to excel.<\/p>\n

The university brought in a record $570.4 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2025<\/a> and was ranked No. 92 out of 660 research institutions in the U.S.<\/abbr><\/a>, according to National Science Foundation<\/abbr> data<\/a> released in January 2025.<\/p>\n

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program<\/a> (UROP<\/abbr>) further supports UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa\u2019s mission by connecting students across disciplines with mentored research and creative projects.<\/p>\n

National and global recognition<\/h2>\n

The WSJ<\/abbr> ranking adds to a string of national and international accolades for UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa this year, including high marks in U.S. News and World Report<\/em><\/a>, QS<\/abbr> World University Rankings<\/a>, The Princeton Review<\/abbr><\/a> and recognition for innovation<\/a> and global impact<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa rises to No. 240 in the 2026 WSJ<\/abbr> best college rankings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[735,631,9],"class_list":["post-222982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-campus-recognition","tag-ranking","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t