DENVER -- Three of the nation's best colleges are right here in the state of Colorado, a U.S. News and World report has found.
The Colorado School of Mines in Golden, the University of Denver and the University of Colorado - Boulder, all ranked within the Top 100 for the best colleges in 2017, according to the report.
The Colorado School of Mines ranked No. 82 in the list tying with Michigan State, Texas Christian University and the University of Iowa.
The University of Denver came in second among Colorado schools at No. 86 while CU Boulder came in third at No. 92.
The ranking by U.S. News and World focuses on academic excellence and emphasizes student outcomes, including graduation and retention rates. The report also aims to help students compare "the academic quality of more than 1,800 U.S.-based schools."
Princeton University in N.J. took the top stop at No. 1.
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