Berry College Named as One of the 2026 America's Top Colleges

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

Forbes has named Berry College to the 2026 America’s Top Colleges list.

Forbes’ annual list showcases 500 colleges that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.

“Berry College has consistently ranked among the top colleges and universities, and we are excited that Forbes has recognized that. Our alumni take their integrated education of the head, heart and hands with them to improve the communities in which they live, work and serve,” said Berry President Sandeep Mazumder.

Forbes evaluated thousands of U.S. colleges using data from two federal education databases – the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Colleges were evaluated on alumni salaries (20%), student debt (15%), graduation rate (15%), return on investment (15%), retention rate (10%) and academic success (10%), which included students who won Fulbright, Truman, Goldwater and Rhodes scholarships.

Forbes also weighs colleges on alumni who appear on its “American Leaders List,” which consists of Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes 400, Richest Self-Made Women and Most Powerful Women lists. Also included are alumni who are members of the President’s Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congress and governors, as well as the most recent winners of the MacArthur Fellowship, Nobel Prize, Breakthrough Prize, Lasker Prize, Fields Prize, Academy Awards, Tony’s, NAACP Awards, Guggenheim Fellowship, Presidential Medals and Pulitzer Prizes.