To find the best universities, Washington Monthly magazine says, Go West.
Five of the 10 highest-ranked universities in the magazine's latest list of top institutions are in California.
The publication has unveiled its 2016 College Guide and Rankings, and it notes with pride that its rankings are notably different from other lists.
"Washington Monthly measures schools based on what they are doing for the country—by improving social mobility, producing research, and promoting public service,'" the magazine's web site says.
The magazine says its methodology considers no single category to be more important than any other. In addition, the final rankings are designed to reflect excellence across the full breadth of the data gathered, rather than reward an exceptionally strong focus on one area.
Here are the 10 highest-ranked national universities, according to Washington Monthly.
