Best Sorority: College Rankings From Newsweek

It takes a lot of sisters to build a strong sorority over time, just ask those kicking off recruitment activities across the country.

Alas, through either sheer size, gusto or elbow grease, these ladies have made it into Newsweek and College Prowler's top 25 sororities. We're bringing you the top 15, but for more (and stats on each) visit Newsweek's page after the slideshow.

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• Phi Mu

• Gamma Phi Beta

• Alpha Chi Omega

• Delta Zeta

• Kappa Alpha Theta

• Alpha Phi

• Alpha Omicron Pi

• Delta Delta Delta

  Mariya Koroleva & Annika Dries, both Stanford, from the Olympic Opening Ceremony.

• Kappa Delta

• Pi Beta Phi

• Chi Omega

• Alpha Delta Pi

• Kappa Kappa Gamma

• Delta Gamma

• Zeta Tau Alpha

Wondering why your sorority isn't listed? Here's a note about the methodology, and see where you can improve.

We compared the 26 Panhellenic Conference sororities based on the number of active collegiate chapters, the number of Twitter followers and Facebook fans (to measure alumni and member interest) and the amount of money the sorority’s non-profit fund donated to 501(c)(3) organizations according the most recent public filing (funds were normalized using a per-chapter ratio). Funds donated to individual chapters, classified as a 501(c)(7) non-profit social club, were not considered for this aspect of the ranking.

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Comments

[jhag1227]

11:14 AM on 04/23/2013

All this hate on sororities yet you overlook the good they do. For example Tri Delt or Delta Delta Delta committed to raising 10 million dollars for St. Jude's Children hospital in 2001. This was supposed to be a 10 year effort and they completed it in only 4 years. After that stunning work they agreed to give 50 million dollars in 15 years. It has been 7 years so far since they agreed to that and they have already raised over 40 million dollars. It looks as though they will be giving that big check to St. Jude's early again. Everyone has their own opinion but this is a true example of good coming from these organizations. You may not have had a good experience with one organization or even one girl from a sorority can sometimes be the reason you hate them. However, at the end of the day they do contribute often times just as much if not more than most other on-campus student orgs.

[Corpilot]

03:57 AM on 08/27/2012

Considering modern societies penchant for inclusiveness and promotion or equality among the sexes....why do we have organizations based on gender? If the organizations excluded folks based on race we would all say they were unacceptable.

[jhag1227]

11:21 AM on 04/23/2013

Not every student organization has to be inclusive. Fraternities and Sororities are private organizations funded by their national headquarters and their members. Therefore it is up to the recruitment process of these organizations to find potential new members that align with the values and goals of the organization. And I don't understand why you are saying these organizations are exclusive based on gender. There are men's fraternities, women's fraternities (aka sororities), and co-ed ones. All of them have different values and membership processes so that EVERYONE who wants to join one can find the right fit.

[Corpilot]

01:27 PM on 04/23/2013

Jhag1227....."separate but equal " is a concept that American Society gave up on almost 50 years ago. Frags and sororities have a right to exclude anyone...but the schools should exclude them for their discriminatory practices.

[mereains]

03:32 PM on 08/26/2012

Thanks for posting!!! I am a DZ alum SIUC!!! I have a daughter (DZ legacy) and hope that she finds herself in a sorority as well!! It was a great experience, and one I hope she enjoys as well. To each their own, whether you join or not. However, all the negative comments are totally unnecessary. Noone speaks poorly of people who opt not to join, so please a little less bashing on those who do chose to join. I also find it disheartening that that the all the good that these highlighted sororities do is minimized by all the negative comments (from, for the most part, uneducated people), Not every article has to be political or push an agenda....enough already!!

[Corpilot]

01:31 PM on 04/23/2013

Good they do? I love in a community with no less than 2 State Universities....we don't see the Greeks doing anything positive...nothing actually negative.....but nothing positive.

[cauberalles]

12:21 AM on 08/26/2012

People do strange things to belong.

[Corpilot]

01:31 PM on 04/23/2013

Like join exclusionary organizations.

[aliceandthecat]

05:41 AM on 08/25/2012

We should venerate these disgusting organizations. These societies routinely discriminate against anyone who is not white, or who is too economically disadvantaged, or who is too large, or too old. Membership in Frat/Sorority organization creates a network that will later be used to deny employment to the other than perfectly tanned, white, and wealthy.

Ban the 'Greeks', there nothing but freaks. Eternally.

The only good 'Greek' is a none-Greek. I will never form an association with someone who was or is a Greek and spit on their shadows as they pass. They all $uck!!!!

[elliepie]

01:10 PM on 08/25/2012

You are hateful. You have no experience with Greek life but your opinion is completely based off a stereotype. I am in Phi Mu and our chapter has sisters of all colors, sizes, and sexual orientations; we don't judge. In fact, we encourage diversity within our chapter and within the organization as a whole. The majority of us pay our own dues. We are extremely passionate about fundraising for local hospitals. And our studies come first, always. Please open your mind and try to see things for what they really are, not what a stereotype would have you believe.

[Emma Catherine LeCroy]

11:36 PM on 08/30/2012

As an RA at UGA, which is largely Greek, I resent your statement. I am not affiliated with a sorority (thinking about rushing a service sorority, but they're quite different from panhellenic ones). I hear a lot of negative stereotypes about women in sororities. The thing is, though, they're all stereotypes. Many residents in the building I work in are Greek, and most of them are wonderful. There are good people and bad people in any organization. The idea that sororities only select based on appearances is faulty. There are some really amazing people involved in Greek life. And it isn't about being desperate to belong or fitting some perfect mold. Many women rush to have social activities and make friends and have companions to experience college with. I just think it's silly (and honestly, intolerant) to cast all Greeks as "freaks." Maybe you should accept that just because Greek organizations aren't for you doesn't mean that you should bash everybody who is part of them.

[aliceandthecat]

11:58 PM on 08/30/2012

You show me one 'Greek' organization that will accept me.....I'm in my 40's, a non-traditional student. an orphan, I hail from a very low socio-economic background and have struggled with homelessness, domestic violence, and rape. None. Not one. YOur are all the quintessence of evil. If you want to avoid ethical contamination then disconnect yourself. I stand by my comment.

End the GREEKS!!!

[Mouse718]

09:23 AM on 08/24/2012

I never understood the appeal of joining a group that would mean a lot of pressure to conform. I was never interested in wearing the same color and length dress, or same t-shift as dozens of others. Oh well, to each their own. The girls in the pictures look like they're enjoying themselves, good for them.

[squirrely girl]

11:57 PM on 08/23/2012

Yet another useless list ranking organizations that differ significantly between chapter and universities :/

[FoodFitandFam]

07:15 PM on 08/23/2012

Love this but you have my sorority wrong!! You have us listed at "Alpha Phi" but we are "Alpha PHI"!

[Carolyn Forte]

12:59 PM on 08/24/2012

How about African Americans, Latinos, Indians ...................................?

[FoodFitandFam]

01:09 PM on 08/24/2012

What do you mean what about? My pledge class was full of diversity. Alpha Phi accepts women of all backgrounds. :)

[Simone Monie Williams]

01:26 PM on 08/24/2012

Agree...the appropriate title then should be the best "panhellenic" sororities and not overall best sororities because they completely missed other GREEK sororities

[FoodFitandFam]

01:08 PM on 08/24/2012

OOPS ... I am so used to writing Phi that I should have said Pi. My bad ;)

[projustice]

04:45 PM on 08/23/2012

Has anyone checked to verify that these sororities accept bi, gay and transsexual members?

[FoxxxRob]

05:52 PM on 08/23/2012

Bi and gay, yes. Every sorority accepts them and I knew girls in sororities who were gay and bi. Transsexuals are a little different. I can pretty much guarantee that a man who had become a woman either medically or not, would probably not be eligible to join a sorority. A woman who identified herself as a man but was still technically female would be the only way I would really see a transsexual working in a sorority environment as an active. Like I said, it's tricky.

That said, how many 18 or 19-year-old fully outed transsexuals do you know of? Especially ones that have made a complete transformation or whatever (I'm sorry if any of this terminology is offensive, it isn't meant to be, I'm just trying to answer honestly and sincerely here). That age range is really the only time when you're going to join a sorority anyway, so I really don't think it's a common issue to begin with. Are there sorority girls who later fully embraced their transexuality? Yes, absolutely, and I'm sure they are still in touch with many of their sisters. One of my fraternity brothers actually came out as a transsexual and we're all still friends with her. Unfortunately the whole ordeal (mostly being disowned by her parents) caused her to drop out of school (and thus the fraternity) but she was never expelled as an initiated member and is now an alumni member.

That's the best answer I can give.

[projustice]

08:54 AM on 08/24/2012

Your answer reflects the reality of the situation in most cases I'm sure.

Many M to F transsexuals are completing their transition at younger ages today and by age 19 or 20 may be fully transitioned. If they are going to be accepted in society as women, I do think, particularly if they are fully transitioned, they should also be accepted within any sorority, particularly at a publicly funded college or university.

Likewise, a F to M transsexual should be accepted into a fraternity in the same manner.

[Corpilot]

01:34 PM on 04/23/2013

Yes they do.....they just don't know it.

[projustice]

04:15 PM on 04/23/2013

Although some M to F transsexuals pass as being genetically female, many do not. I was just wondering how they are received.

I'm sure you are right about some members being bi or gay but most assuredly female.

[Drew2248]

04:35 PM on 08/23/2012

It looks like you have to be blonde and a little dippy to join these groups.

[Lindsay Gober Davis]

09:46 PM on 08/23/2012

And I'm a red-headed top of my class DZ. Way to stereotype.

[Mouse718]

09:22 AM on 08/24/2012

Most of them look like they've got that common ash-color hair that isn't blonde or brunette, the kind most women (including myself) dye a far more appealing color. I guess these girls are a little young to be interested in dying their hair?

[janetm1025]

03:31 PM on 08/23/2012

IT IS ALPHA PHI NOT ALPHA PI. PLEASE CORRECT IN CAPTION!!!!!!

[FoodFitandFam]

07:15 PM on 08/23/2012

Haha I wrote the SAME thing!

[Conor Barrett]

03:03 AM on 08/24/2012

No you didn't. You wrote "Phi" twice actually. I was confused with your comment until I saw janet's comment.

[Corpilot]

01:36 PM on 04/23/2013

Because OMG...I would just, like , kill myself if they don't change a typo....like that is so bad or them...like they reeeealy have to change that.

[janetm1025]

02:26 PM on 04/23/2013

He's an angry elf.

[djohnsonharvey]

02:43 PM on 08/23/2012

You couldn't list one predominately Black sorority? Not even as a token? Nice work, Huffington Post.

[Joane Davis]

04:22 PM on 08/23/2012

They are not part of the National Panhellenic Conference, which is where the list of sororities ranked came from. Do your research before getting so worked up.

[marykay8210]

08:03 PM on 08/23/2012

My daughter is in a sorority...and there are whites, African Americans, Asians, and other minorities...they don't excluded based on ethnicity.

[djohnsonharvey]

02:04 PM on 08/24/2012

The problem with being educated by Wikipedia is that it doesn't quite give you all the information. As a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, I can tell you that we are a part of the National Panhellenic Conference. Before you post, do your research.

[Kelis Anders]

02:26 PM on 08/23/2012

How can this list not include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Delta Sigma Theta?

That makes no sense.

[GuestlyGuest]

07:39 PM on 08/23/2012

Because they're NPHC sororities, not NPC, which is clearly was this list was ranking.

[Corpilot]

01:37 PM on 04/23/2013

Or kapa kapa crapa.

[Jonny Boy]

12:41 PM on 08/23/2012

Sorority girls.man I miss college now.

[Corpilot]

01:38 PM on 04/23/2013

Yeah...all the black guys miss the sorority girls.

[ash11111]

12:04 PM on 08/23/2012

Tri delts are the easy ones... god i loved those girls... :)