U.S. News & World Report has placed Northeastern University at 54th in its 2025 national college rankings, marking a decline of one position from the previous year. This is the second consecutive year the university has fallen just outside the top 50. Northeastern shares this ranking with Florida State University, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and The College of William & Mary.

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The rankings, released on September 24, highlight that Northeastern was previously in the top 50 in 2023, but changes in the ranking methodology may have contributed to its decline. The U.S. News & World Report utilizes around 17 indicators to assess colleges, with graduation rates and peer assessments being significant factors. Northeastern's test-optional policy, which has been in place since the 2020 pandemic, could also influence its ranking, as noted by Chancellor Ken Henderson.

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In Greater Boston, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University secured the second and third positions, respectively. Other local institutions in the top 50 include Boston College and Tufts University, both tied at 37th, while Boston University shares the 44th spot with Rutgers University. Northeastern's highest-ever ranking was 40th in 2020, and it first broke into the top 50 in 2014 at 49th. 

For further details, you can check out the original articles on [Boston.com](https://www.boston.com/news/education/2024/09/25/northeastern-university-us-news-ranking-2025/) and [The Boston Globe](https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/09/24/metro/northeastern-us-news-college-rankings-2025/).