Wentworth Again Recognized as a Top College by Forbes

by Greg Abazorius
graphic with the words "top colleges" over an aerial shot of wentworth's campus

Wentworth Institute of Technology has once again been recognized as a premier institution by Forbes, earning a coveted spot on the publication’s "Top Colleges 2026" list.   

Forbes' rigorous "Top Colleges" methodology evaluates institutions based on seven key measures that prioritize affordability, alumni earnings, and significant educational outcomes. These include:  

  • Graduates' Median Earnings: Measuring the financial success of alumni.
  • Federal Loan Debt: Assessing student borrowing levels.
  • Educational Outcomes: Factoring in graduation rates, particularly for low-income students.
  • First-to-Second Year Retention Rate: Indicating student satisfaction and program effectiveness.
  • Return on Investment (ROI): Analyzing the financial benefit relative to cost.
  • Alumni Leadership: Recognizing graduates who achieve prominent positions or win prestigious awards like MacArthur Fellowships, Nobel Prizes, or Pulitzer Prizes.
  • Academic Success: Accounting for alumni who earn prestigious scholarships (Fulbright, Rhodes) and PhDs.  

This new recognition from Forbes comes at a time when the national conversation is shifting to better capture the value of higher education. Another Forbes piece, "Degrees Of Opportunity: Rethinking Value In Higher Ed," highlights the new "Opportunity Colleges" designation from the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation, which was awarded to Wentworth this spring.  

The article notes that this classification identifies institutions that excel in providing social mobility and creating meaningful community connections—a description that aligns with Wentworth's designation as one of only five "higher access, higher earnings" STEM institutions in the country.  

Find more information on the Forbes website.