Virginia Commonwealth University has continued its ascent, claiming a coveted higher ranking from U.S. News & World Report.

In the list of best national universities released Tuesday, VCU moved up six spots to No. 136, and it passed James Madison University. In two years, VCU has climbed 29 places. The university ranks 69th nationally among public schools.

The University of Virginia finished 24th among all universities and No. 4 in the ranking of top public schools.

Virginia Tech maintained its lead on William & Mary but fell four places to 51st.

The state’s oldest college, William & Mary, slipped one spot to 54th. George Mason University dropped four places to No. 109.

James Madison University finished 148th — a 25-place drop from last year.

In the ranking of top national liberal arts colleges, Washington and Lee University tied for No. 19 with Grinnell College in Iowa and Middlebury College in Vermont. The University of Richmond moved up three spots to 22nd and tied with Colgate University in New York.

Read the full story in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.