Omaha's Creighton University topped the list of Midwest Master's Universities in the annual rankings of America's best colleges by US News and World Report. The rankings were released Thursday.

Drake University in Des Moines was ranked third in the same category. It's the second straight year Creighton has been named the top Master's University in the Midwest region.

In the rankings a Master's University is defined as a school that offers several undergraduate programs, some Master's programs and few doctoral degrees.

The University of Iowa was the top public university in Nebraska and Iowa, ranked No. 29 among other public schools nationwide. Iowa State was ranked No. 39 and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln No. 43.

Harvard and Princeton were tied for the top spot overall as the best universities in the country.

Rankings for the annual list are calculated based on peer surveys, student retention, faculty, school selectivity, financial resources, graduation rates and alumni donations. The categories are weighted, with surveys carrying the most weight in the final rankings.