Elon earns top national rankings in U.S. News & World Report 2015 college guide

Elon receives three #1 rankings and top marks for academic programs, teaching and affordability in the annual U.S. News ranking.

Elon University is recognized more than any other university in the nation for its “Focus on Student Success” in the 2015 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” published by U.S. News & World Report.

Highlights of this year’s U.S. News rankings include the following:

  • Elon is ranked the #1 master’s-level university in the Southern Region
  • Elon is recognized nationally for excellence in seven categories of key academic experiences
  • Elon received a #1 ranking for its “Strong Commitment to Undergraduate Teaching”
  • Elon is ranked among the top colleges and universities in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category
  • Elon received a #1 ranking as an “Up-and-Comer” university

In the national rankings of high-impact educational programs that “Focus on Student Success,” Elon is recognized for excellence in the following seven categories:

  • Study abroad
  • Internships
  • Service learning
  • Undergraduate research
  • Learning communities
  • First-year experiences
  • Senior capstone

The “Focus on Student Success” recognition is based on a U.S. News survey of higher education leaders across the country. Among other schools receiving program recognition, Stanford and Butler universities are cited for excellence in five categories, with Carleton College, Northeastern University, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and Wagner College cited in four categories.

“The U.S. News rankings are a good measure of the success Elon has achieved in providing students with the experiences and global perspectives they will need to make a difference in our world,” said Leo M. Lambert, Elon University president. “We are especially gratified that leaders in higher education across the country give Elon top marks for our high-impact academic programs.” 

Among the 126 master’s-level universities in the South, Elon has the highest reputation score, graduation rate and average student SAT scores. Rollins College of Florida is ranked #2 and Samford University of Alabama is ranked #3.

Other North Carolina schools in the category include Appalachian State University (#9) and UNC-Wilmington (#16). Davidson College is ranked #11 among National Liberal Arts Colleges, while the National Universities category includes Duke University (#8), Wake Forest University (#27) and UNC-Chapel Hill (#30). 

The “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, released by U.S. News & World Report on Sept. 9, provide the most thorough examination of how more than 1,500 four-year schools compare on a set of 16 indicators of excellence. Among the quality factors measured in the rankings are peer assessment, graduation and student retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. U.S. News uses the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education to produce categories of rankings for colleges and universities. 

Previously this fall, Elon received top national rankings from Princeton Review, Forbes and Fiske Guide to Colleges.