NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA — Several higher-education institutions in Northeast Pennsylvania have been recognized among the best in the nation, according to the newly released 2026 "Best Colleges" rankings from U.S. News & World Report.
The rankings highlight eight colleges in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Schuylkill counties, including the four Penn State Commonwealth campuses in the region. The University of Scranton secured the highest ranking, placing within the top 10 in the Regional Universities North category, which includes colleges across the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
Two Luzerne County schools, Wilkes University and Misericordia University, were also included in the rankings of National Universities, a category for institutions offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate, master's, and Ph.D. programs.
The four Penn State Commonwealth campuses in the area—Hazleton, Schuylkill, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre—were individually recognized, with all four listed among the top 50 Public Schools. This recognition comes after a decision by Penn State's board of trustees in the spring to close the Wilkes-Barre campus after the 2027 spring semester, one of seven campuses slated for closure.
In addition to overall rankings, local colleges received recognition for specific criteria, including social mobility, services for veterans, and best value, and for programs such as nursing and engineering.