Perhaps unsurprisingly, Purdue University and Indiana University were the other two Indiana-based universities to make Forbes' Top 100. Notably, Indiana University barely hung onto this honor, as the university dropped on Forbes' list, earning the rank as the country's 94th best college.

The biggest leap among Texas schools came from Texas Christian University (TCU), which soared from No. 220 to No. 120—a 100-spot jump. The Fort Worth-based private university's climb reflects its growing academic prestige, expanding research profile, and strong job placement metrics.