After a year marked by funding challenges, federal and political pressures, and demographic shifts expected to affect enrollment, America’s colleges and universities have faced significant uncertainty.

Yet, the latest U.S. News & World Report college rankings show remarkable stability at the top, offering a familiar guide for students and families preparing for the new admissions season, according to The New York Times.

Princeton University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard University retained the top three spots, respectively, among national universities. Stanford University stayed at No. 4, but was tied with Yale University. Williams College again ranked as the nation’s top liberal arts college, while Spelman College maintained its position as the highest-ranked Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the U.S. One notable change saw the University of California, Berkeley, surpass the University of California, Los Angeles to become the country’s leading public university.

According to The New York Times, U.S. News continues to hold influence despite long-standing debates about its methodology. The publisher estimates that its education website attracts over 100 million users annually, even after reported controversies over data accuracy and changing methodology formulas. Rankings, while not a complete measure of an institution’s quality, remain a widely referenced tool for families making one of life’s major financial decisions.

This year, only a few universities experienced significant shifts in position. Northeastern University rose eight spots to tie with four other national universities for No. 46. The University of Chicago climbed to No. 6, while California Institute of Technology dropped to No. 11. For most of the top 50 schools, however, positions remained largely unchanged, contrasting with past years when methodological adjustments led to substantial upheaval.

The New York Times reports that many school administrators participate in the U.S. News college rankings by providing data, purchasing marketing licenses to tout their recognition, or shifting institutional priorities based on their positioning.

Richard K. Lyons, an economist and chancellor of UC Berkeley, told The New York Times that rankings provide information, but they should not be the sole factor in decision-making. He stressed that schools should remain guided by their core values rather than the rankings themselves.