The Top 25 D3 Schools
Something caught our eye this week 👇
We found a college ranking based on how much a school improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earning potential rather than reputation.
The rankings are a collaboration between the WSJ, Statista, and College Pulse and used some unique metrics including:
Student outcomes (70%)
Salary impact, Years to pay off tuition and Graduation rate
Learning environment (20%)
Learning opportunities, Career preparation, and Facilities
Diversity (10%)
Students from different backgrounds, Ethnic diversity, and Income diversity
To make it more relevant, we pulled out only the D3 schools to provide a focused list for our readers (original overall WSJ rankings included for context).
The Top 5 D3 Schools in 2025 are listed below, but here’s the Full D3 Top 25!
1 - Babson College
Babson College is a private school in Wellesley, MA
“At second-ranked Babson College, the emphasis on hands-on experiences begins the moment students step on campus as freshmen. Built into the Babson curriculum are opportunities for experiential learning, like the mandatory Foundations of Management and Entrepreneurship class, where students launch startups in groups during their first two semesters of college using a loan of up to $3,000 provided by the school.” (via WSJ)
Final Score: 91.9
Overall WSJ Rank: #2
2 - Claremont McKenna College
Claremont McKenna is a private school in Claremont, CA
Claremont McKenna College stands out for its focus on leadership, economics, and government, blending a rigorous liberal arts education with a strong emphasis on practical, real-world applications. The college encourages close mentorship between students and faculty and offers unique opportunities through its research institutes, such as the Rose Institute of State and Local Government.
One reason CMC likely scored high on the WSJ list is its focus on experiential learning via numerous internships, study abroad programs, and partnerships with policy makers and business leaders.
Fun Fact: CMC athletes compete with the athletes from #4 and one other school in all sports.
Final Score: 89.2
Overall WSJ Rank: #5
3 - MIT
MIT is a private school in Cambridge, MA
MIT is globally recognized for its cutting-edge research and leadership in science, technology, and engineering, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. It offers a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment where students work closely with world-class faculty on groundbreaking projects across fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology. MIT’s culture emphasizes hands-on learning, with programs like UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program) and a strong focus on solving real-world challenges.
Final Score: 87.4
Overall WSJ Rank: #6
4 - Harvey Mudd College
Harvey Mudd is a private school in Claremont, CA
Harvey Mudd College strikes a rare balance in Academia. Renowned for its strong emphasis on STEM education (think engineering, computer science, and mathematics) it still maintains a top liberal arts curriculum. The college fosters close-knit student-faculty relationships with small class sizes and a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. It also places a high priority on real-world experience, offering extensive research opportunities and projects designed to address pressing societal issues.
No wonder it was a new entrant to the WSJ Top 100 this year and a Top 5 D3 School for 2025.
Can you name the third school that competes alongside HMC & CMC student-athletes?
Final Score: 83.6
Overall WSJ Rank: #20
5 - Washington University (St. Louis)
Washington University in St. Louis is known for its strong interdisciplinary programs, combining rigorous academics with flexibility across fields like business, engineering, and the arts and sciences. It may have gotten a boost in the rankings based on its vibrant campus culture, featuring extensive community engagement and a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Final Score: 81.8
Overall WSJ Rank: #32