This week in college admissions, M.I.T. is first in U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings, the University of Oregon gets a record $1 billion donation, Brown University implements improved and expanded security systems, Middlebury College goes tuition-free for some families, and the University of Pennsylvania’s endowment increases by $6.3 billion.
M.I.T. claimed the No. 1 spot in the U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings, ending Princeton’s 15-year run as the top school. While these rankings attract much attention, the evolving formulas for determining them have been debated over the years.
Phil and Penny Knight pledged $1 billion to the University of Oregon. The donation will be used to build a college of engineering at UO’s existing Knight Campus, which was established 10 years ago following previous donations from the couple.
Brown University has transformed and expanded its campus security measures and protocols in response to the deadly campus shooting in 2025. The university has significantly increased its number of surveillance cameras, panic buttons, and police officers, among other changes.
Middlebury College announced that admitted students whose families make less than $175,000 will attend tuition-free. This initiative will begin with the class of 2031 and is part of Middlebury’s broader effort to make it affordable for all students.
The University of Pennsylvania’s endowment increased by $6.3 billion during fiscal year 2026. The sharp increase is credited to the university’s investment portfolio. While the university’s endowment carries restrictions, it is expected that much of the funds will support Penn’s financial aid programs.
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