Washington State University is again drawing national attention for its student experience, ranking top in the state across several categories while also earning four Top 10 national placements and 11 Top 20 in The Princeton Review’s newly released Best Colleges for 2027 rankings.
The recognition places WSU among the nation’s highest-rated institutions based on extensive student feedback about campus life, academics, support services, and overall satisfaction.
Released Tuesday, the 2027 edition profiles just 392 institutions nationwide, representing roughly 14% of America’s nearly 2,800 four-year colleges. The rankings are derived from surveys completed by about 172,000 students attending those institutions and are designed to reflect the authentic experiences of enrolled students rather than institutional submissions alone.
WSU’s strongest showing came through four national Top 10 rankings that highlight key elements of the Cougar experience that also were highest ranked among all Washington universities:
- #6 Their Students Love These Colleges
- #6 Best Athletic Facilities
- #7 Top 20 Best Alumni Networks (Public Schools)
- #7 Top 20 Best Schools for Internships (Public Schools)
Because the Princeton Review rankings are based entirely on student survey responses, they offer a direct measure of how students perceive their university experience and their strong satisfaction with facilities and programs that contribute to a positive learning environment.
Beyond its Top 10 performances, WSU was featured in 11 categories ranked among the nation’s Top 20, demonstrating strength across a broad range of student experience measures. Among those recognitions was a No. 12 ranking for Best Public School for Making an Impact, underscoring students’ perceptions of the university’s commitment to service, engagement, and preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to their communities and professions.
