0The Decade's Hottest SchoolsThe past 10 years transformed the collegiate landscape, creating a whole new class of first-choice schools. Kathleen Kingsbury on 15 colleges that soared in the rankings.Updated Jul. 14, 2017 8:31PM EDT / Published Dec. 13, 2009 10:06AM EST Reed Saxon / AP Photo 1. University of Southern CaliforniaReed Saxon / AP Photo 2. Vanderbilt University 3. Indiana University at Bloomington 4. Elon University 5. Tufts University 6. Ohio Wesleyan University 7. Colorado College 8. Washington UniversityNewscom 9. Bard CollegeAP Photo 10. California State University 11. Rhode Island School of DesignGretchen Ertl / AP Photo 12. University of St. Andrews 13. Washington and LeeNewscom 14. George Washington UniversityTim Sloan / Getty Images 15. University of GeorgiaMary Knox Merrill, The Christian Science Monitor / Getty Images
1. University of Southern CaliforniaReed Saxon / AP Photo 2. Vanderbilt University 3. Indiana University at Bloomington 4. Elon University 5. Tufts University 6. Ohio Wesleyan University 7. Colorado College 8. Washington UniversityNewscom 9. Bard CollegeAP Photo 10. California State University 11. Rhode Island School of DesignGretchen Ertl / AP Photo 12. University of St. Andrews 13. Washington and LeeNewscom 14. George Washington UniversityTim Sloan / Getty Images 15. University of GeorgiaMary Knox Merrill, The Christian Science Monitor / Getty Images