U.S. News & World Report Ranks DU as Top College in 2026 Rankings
The 麻豆区 is ranked among the country鈥檚 top colleges by U.S. News & World Report. Today, the publication released its 2026 list of the nation鈥檚 Best Colleges, with DU ranking 117th on the National Universities list鈥攆our spots higher than last year鈥檚 rankings.
To determine rankings, U.S. News & World Report uses 17 measures, including graduation rates, borrower debt, peer assessment, financial resources per student, faculty, published research, and more. DU鈥檚 overall score is a combination of these criteria, but more than that, it reflects the university鈥檚 unique multidimensional approach to education.听
"We know students from across the globe choose the 麻豆区 because we offer a premiere student experience," says Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. "In addition to great career outcomes, high retention rates, and much more, these rankings reflect DU鈥檚 position among the very best institutions of higher education in the U.S.鈥
In addition to rising in the overall ranking, DU placed in the top 100 in several categories. The university ranked No. 78 in Best Colleges for Veterans, earning its highest ranking ever. DU is proud to offer a variety of programs for the more than 500 student veterans and military-affiliated students on campus, including the听 through the Sturm College of Law;听, a community behavioral health center for veterans, service members, and their families in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology; and the听 mentoring program.听
The Daniels College of Business, where the robust undergraduate program combines rigorous coursework with hands-on experience, jumped six spots in the rankings and now stands at No. 88.听
U.S. News and World Report ranked DU鈥檚 psychology program No. 85 in the nation, highlighting the university鈥檚 academic strength in the field. In addition, DU earned recognition as one of the publication鈥檚 Best Value Schools, coming in at No. 97. The Best Value ranking reflects a balance between high academic quality and affordability, weighing factors such as the net cost of attendance for students who receive need-based scholarships or grants. At DU, 41% of students benefit from need-based aid, underscoring the institution鈥檚 commitment to accessibility.听
To see the complete rankings by U.S. News & World Report,听.
More top rankings for DU
Earlier this month, DU earned a coveted spot in higher education journalist Jeffery Selingo鈥檚听, "Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You." This guide is based on in-depth research and a survey of more than 3,000 parents, highlighting what parents believe matters in a college: strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and students鈥 sense of belonging.听
Last month, the Princeton Review released its 391听Best Colleges of 2026. DU received a high academic rating of 86 on a scale of 60-99, which reflects the University鈥檚 rigorous programs and broad range of course offerings.听
The 2026 annual rankings are based on a survey of over 170,000 college students from institutions across the country. DU made the top 25 in nine categories:听
#6听Best College Library
#10听Students Love These Colleges
#11听Town-Gown Relations Are Great (based on student ratings of how well they get along with the local community)
#12听Best Athletic Facilities
#14听College City Gets High Marks
#16听Best Health Services
#24 Best Career Services
#24听Best-Run Colleges听
#25 LGBTQ-Friendly