Boston, September 18, 2025
News Summary
Niche has published its 2026 college rankings that highlight the political leanings of campuses across the nation. The report reveals that New England has several colleges among the most liberal, with American University topping the list as the most liberal college in the U.S. and Post University identified as the most conservative in the region. Massachusetts stands out with seven institutions in the top 25 liberal colleges, making it the state with the highest representation. This data provides insights for students and families assessing college choices based on political climate.
Boston — Niche has released its 2026 college rankings focusing on political leanings of college campuses. The list ranks institutions nationwide based on student reviews of campus political climate and places several New England schools among the nation’s most liberal colleges while finding minimal conservative representation from the region.
Top findings
American University in Washington, D.C., is ranked as the most liberal college overall. The University of Vermont is ranked as the second most liberal college in America. Boston University is ranked as the eighth most liberal college in America. Nationwide, Massachusetts provides the largest single-state showing in the top tier of liberal colleges, and New England offers limited representation among the most conservative campuses.
Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, was identified as the most conservative college in New England, ranking 60th overall. The ranking of the most conservative colleges does not include any institutions from New England in the top ten, and only one New England college, Post University, made it into the top 100 conservative colleges.
New England and Massachusetts details
New England’s college results leaned strongly liberal in Niche’s 2026 data. Massachusetts has the most colleges represented in the top 25 most liberal schools in the U.S., with seven entries. Within that Massachusetts group, the colleges and their positions in the top 25 liberal list are reported as follows: Boston University is ranked as the most liberal college in Massachusetts, Mount Holyoke College is ranked 12th, Smith College is ranked 16th, Wellesley College is ranked 18th, Simmons University is ranked 21st, Clark University is ranked 22nd, and Northeastern University is ranked 25th. Outside Massachusetts, The University of Vermont (2nd place) is the only other New England school in the top 25 most liberal colleges.
In Rhode Island, the state-level designations differ between liberal and conservative lists: Rhode Island’s University of Rhode Island is recognized as the most liberal college in the state, while Providence College is recognized as the most conservative. A single Rhode Island institution appears on both state lists: Rhode Island College appears on both lists, finishing fifth for both liberal and conservative colleges in the state.
Methodology
The rankings are based on student reviews of the political climate within campus communities. Student personal political leanings contributed 80% to the ranking, while opinions on campus political leanings accounted for 20%. This weighting reflects the emphasis on individual student self-identification combined with assessments of the campus environment.
Supporting context
Nationwide, the rankings identify a mix of liberal and conservative campuses with clear regional patterns. New England’s results show strong representation among the most liberal campuses, and a near absence in the top conservative positions. Specifically, none of the colleges in New England made it to the top ten list of most conservative colleges.
The release highlights how student-reported political identity and perceptions of campus climate are being used to categorize institutions on a nationwide scale. The data set, as reported, includes both state-level recognitions and national rankings. Where a college’s placement is described as a state-level fact, that scope is retained in this report. Where a placement is described as a nationwide ranking, that scope is retained as well.
What this means for students and families
Prospective students and families seeking information on campus political climate can use these rankings as one input among many. The methodology places the greatest weight on how students describe their own political leanings followed by their view of the overall campus political climate. Readers should consider other factors, including academic programs, campus size, and extracurricular opportunities, when evaluating colleges.
FAQ
What did Niche release?
Niche has released its 2026 college rankings focusing on political leanings of college campuses.
How were the rankings determined?
Student personal political leanings contributed 80% to the ranking, while opinions on campus political leanings accounted for 20%.
Which college is ranked most liberal overall?
American University in Washington, D.C., is ranked as the most liberal college overall.
Where did the University of Vermont place?
The University of Vermont is ranked as the second most liberal college in America.
Where did Boston University place?
Boston University is ranked as the eighth most liberal college in America.
Which colleges in Massachusetts are in the top 25 most liberal schools?
Massachusetts has the most colleges represented in the top 25 most liberal schools in the U.S., with seven entries.
Which New England college is the most conservative?
Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut, was identified as the most conservative college in New England, ranking 60th overall.
Did any New England schools make the top conservative lists?
Only one New England college, Post University, made it into the top 100 conservative colleges.
Did any New England colleges make the top ten conservative list?
None of the colleges in New England made it to the top ten list of most conservative colleges.
What are the Rhode Island state results?
Rhode Island’s University of Rhode Island is recognized as the most liberal college in the state, while Providence College is recognized as the most conservative. Rhode Island College appears on both lists, finishing fifth for both liberal and conservative colleges in the state.
Quick reference table
| Institution | Scope | Reported Ranking or Note |
|---|---|---|
| American University | Nationwide | Ranked as the most liberal college overall |
| The University of Vermont | Nationwide / New England | Ranked as the second most liberal college in America (2nd place) |
| Boston University | Nationwide / Massachusetts | Ranked as the eighth most liberal college in America; ranked as the most liberal college in Massachusetts |
| Mount Holyoke College | Massachusetts | Ranked 12th in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Smith College | Massachusetts | Ranked 16th in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Wellesley College | Massachusetts | Ranked 18th in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Simmons University | Massachusetts | Ranked 21st in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Clark University | Massachusetts | Ranked 22nd in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Northeastern University | Massachusetts | Ranked 25th in the top 25 most liberal schools |
| Post University | New England / Connecticut | Identified as the most conservative college in New England, ranking 60th overall; only New England college in top 100 conservative colleges |
| University of Rhode Island | Rhode Island | Recognized as the most liberal college in the state |
| Providence College | Rhode Island | Recognized as the most conservative college in the state |
| Rhode Island College | Rhode Island | Appears on both lists, finishing fifth for both liberal and conservative colleges in the state |
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Additional Resources
- Patriot Ledger: Most Liberal Colleges
- MassLive: Most Liberal Colleges in Mass
- Patch: Massachusetts Liberal and Conservative Colleges
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antioch University
- Wall Street Journal: Best Colleges 2025
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