Forbes ranks top universities in the U.S.; Miami top Tri-State school

CINCINNATI - The ever-popular ranking of colleges continues with the latest study from Forbes.

Forbes published the study produced by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. The study ranks schools based on teaching quality, career prospects, graduation rates and college debt.

The study left out measures of a school’s reputation and instead sought to determine if attending a prestigious university for a high cost pays off, or if students should pursue a more moderately priced education. The 650 schools that Forbes ranked are considered by the magazine to be the top 20 percent of undergraduate colleges in the country.

Princeton University topped the list for the first time in four years, with a number of reputable schools rounding out the top 10.

1. Princeton University
2. Williams College
3. Stanford University
4. University of Chicago
5. Yale University
6. Harvard University
7. United States Military Academy
8. Columbia University
9. Pomona College
10. Swarthmore College

Among schools in central and southern Ohio, southern Indiana and Northern Kentucky, Indiana University ranked highest. Miami University ranked highest in the Tri-State.

144. Indiana University
183. Miami University
188. Ohio State University
220. Xavier University
372. Ohio University
410. University of Kentucky
507. University of Cincinnati
541. University of Louisville
606. Northern Kentucky University

Forbes is one of a number of media outlets that ranks universities annually. The Princeton Review, which is not related to Princeton University, publishes its rankings each August as well.