Forbes Financial Ratings and The Good College
Parents who are searching for their Good College are rightfully concerned about a college’s financial stability. Forbes ratings are not the only source. But they are among the more accessible and readable.
Forbes annual College Financial Grades assesses the financial health of more than 900 private not-for-profit colleges with enrollment of more than 500 students. For 2026, Forbes has revamped its analysis, thanks to novel data from Perspective Data Science, which zeroes in on colleges’ true liquidity.
I took a look at the Forbes 2026 private college ratings, more specifically the schools that received a D, the lowest rating possible as well as those that received nolowr than an A-minus. D grades were given to, among others, schools that will be closing, including Anna Maria University and Hampshire College. There are higher profiles schools with D ratings. I’ll leave you to go to the Forbes story to find them for yourself. Keep in mind that Forbes covers fewer than 1,000 private colleges. Not every private college will be listed.
On the positive side there were some interesting names on the lists that had earned A=plus, A and A minus grades.
Yes, many of the highest graded schools will be familiar names, schools that turn away the vast majority of the students who apply as freshmen or transfer students, However, there were also schools that might offer a greater probability for admissions, I’ll try to help with some lists.
Twenty Colleges That Change Lives earned A-minus to A-plus grades.
I picked these schools because they have been covered in three editions of a well-circulated book and also host their own events across the country. I’ve covered 16 of these schools here at Educated Quest. They’re all liberal arts colleges that have some special features that they have developed, refined and marketed for a long time. I’ve signalized out a few as a Good College.
- Wheaton College (IL) A+
- Whitman College (WA) A+
- Denison University (OH) A+
- Earlham College (IN) A+
- Kalamazoo College (MI) A+
- Allegheny College (PA) A+
- Lawrence University (WI) A+
- Oberlin College (OH) A+
- Centre College (KY) A+
- College of Wooster (OH) A+
- Wabash College (IN) A+
- St. Olaf College (MN) A+
- DePauw University (IN) A+
- Millsaps College (MS) A+
- University of Puget Sound (WA) A
- Knox College (IL) A
- Rhodes College (TN) A
- Hendrix College (AS) A
- Austin College (TX) A-
- Clark University (MA) A-
Twelve of Jeff Selingo’s Dream Schools also earned A-minus to A-plus grades
In addition to my book, The Good College, I recommend that parents buy Dream School. Jeff gathered considerable data on experiential learning (internships, research, co-ops ,and more) and student engagement to produce his list and help in some different ways.
- Creighton University (NE) A+
- Berry College (GA) A+
- Furman University (SC) A+
- Santa Clara University (CA) A
- Gettysburg College (PA) A
- Hobart & William Smith Colleges (NY) A
- Elon University (NC) A-
- Bentley University (MA) A-
Note: Denison, DePauw, St. Olaf and Puget Sound are also among the Dream Schools.
These lists are good starting points to research and indemnify a Good College that has obtained some brand recognition but is less likely to turn away most applicants. I have reported on most of these schools and found that the majority can also offer a good financial aid package.
Those who are seeking a spot in a freshman class for the fall might want to reconcile the Forbes ratings against the Space Available list provided by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). I found some A+ rated schools there, including:
- Hofstra University (NY)
- Earlham College (IN)
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
- Wabash College (IN)
- Sewanee-University of the South (TN)
And here’s a few among the A rated schools:
- Washington College (MD)
- Rose Hulman Institute of Technology (IN)
- Santa Clara University (CA)
- University of Puget Sound (WA)
- Hendrix College (AS)
I realize that many factors go into choosing your Good College. Having some understanding of the financial condition of a school is helpful. However, it is also important to know a school’s “secret sauce,” the unique programs and services it offers to guide academic success and learn about the campus culture and what makes their students feel educated, happy and safe. I’ve visited and profiled enough of the schools listed here to know that each school is unique, but also that good research leads to the right set of schools, and ultimately one that could be your Good College.
