HWS News
30 September 2025 • Alums • Outcomes WSJ Names HWS No. 8 in Nation for Student Experience
Hobart and William Smith has earned a top 10 spot in the Wall Street Journal’s national rankings for student experience.
For the second year in a row, Hobart and William Smith is ranked among the top 10 colleges and universities in the nation for student experience by the Wall Street Journal, earning the No. 8 spot in the 2026 rankings.
More than 500 institutions nationwide were evaluated for the WSJ/ College Pulse’s 2026 “Best Colleges in the U.S.” publication.
“Being ranked in the top 10 for two years in a row underscores what makes Hobart and William Smith distinctive,” says President Mark D. Gearan. “Our focus on the student experience has created a learning environment dedicated to student success. The benefits of that approach extend well beyond campus, shaping a strong alumni network, exceptional career opportunities and lifelong connections for our graduates.”
The WSJ/College Pulse methodology draws on extensive student surveys and outcomes data, evaluating critical factors including campus facilities, community and social life. The ranking also considers the average net price and the value added to graduates' salaries attributed to attending the institution.
View the full list and read more about the methodology here.
A 2025 book published by higher education expert and former editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education Jeffrey Selingo names HWS a “dream school.” Selingo points to the WSJ ranking as a standout factor and praises HWS for its commitment to “personalized education and global engagement.”
