Howard University has been named by the Princeton Review’s as one of the 391 colleges or universities in its 2026 Best Colleges list. The distinction is one of many acknowledgements this year that have affirmed Howard’s status as a national leader in research and education, and builds upon the university’s Research One Carnegie categorization, its rank as the No. 1 HBCU in LinkedIn’s inaugural Top College rankings, and its multiple recognitions in the U.S. News and World Report rankings.

First published in 1992, the Princeton Review based the list on surveys of more than 170,000 students at schools across the country. Students answer a long list of 98 questions covering four areas: 1) their school’s academics/administration; 2) life at their college; 3) their fellow students; and 4) themselves. The questions are a mix of both one to 10 rankings and open-ended responses written by the students on everything from how prepared they feel for their professional careers, to how good the on-campus food is. 

“The colleges we profile in our ‘Best Colleges’ book are a truly select group. They constitute only about 15% of America's nearly 2,400 four-year institutions” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review and the book’s lead author, in a press release. "While they vary by locale, type, size, and campus culture, each one offers its students an academically outstanding undergraduate education. In our opinion, they are the nation’s best undergraduate colleges and ideal choices for students seeking their ‘best-fit’ college.”

“Howard University is more than a place to get an education. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not only strengthens your mind but also your spirit and pride in who you are as a person and who you have the potential to become.” 

In their responses, Howard students especially highlighted the sense of pride they have in joining the university’s long legacy, describing it as a “formidable force in producing African American intellectuals.” They also focused on how Howard professors prepare them to make real-world impacts outside of the classroom, saying that faculty “bridge the gap between the real world and the textbook.” Beyond academic and professional success, the Princeton Review also highlighted Howard’s lively and inclusive student social life. While respondents definitely describe Howard students as highly goal oriented and high achieving, they also describe them as "friendly, outgoing, stylish, and fashionable” and note that they are uniquely socially conscious, something they attribute to the university’s focus on training students to think on a global scale. 

“Howard University is more than a place to get an education,” wrote one student. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that not only strengthens your mind but also your spirit and pride in who you are as a person and who you have the potential to become.” 

Howard’s inclusion in the list is a major milestone, and the responses from students show how effective the university has been in instilling its motto of truth and service. 

"Howard University truly is a unique institution with a historic mission that resonates with students and scholars from across the country and throughout the world," said Howard Provost and Chief Academic Officer Anthony Wutoh, Ph.D. "Our students are empowered to change the world and leave a lasting impact in various fields of study. This year's freshman class of over 2,500 students proudly step into the legacy of service and leadership paved by alumni who have changed the world."

As the university welcomes its newest incoming class, it remains dedicated to maintaining and even expanding that mission, as it continues to move toward maximum strength.