U.S. News & World Report
For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News names Elon the best in the nation for teaching undergraduates
Elon continues to be a leader in the “Programs that Enhance Student Experience” category and is the only college or university in the country ranked in the top 10 in all eight categories of programs linked to student success and positive learning outcomes.
Elon is ranked #1 in the nation for excellence in teaching.
Elon University has been ranked #1 in the nation for excellence in undergraduate teaching for a fifth straight year by peer universities, according to the 2026 rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. News & World Report asks higher education leaders each year about institutions that perform at the highest levels. Since joining the National Universities category in 2019, Elon has ranked #1 among the list of institutions that offer the highest quality of undergraduate instruction for five consecutive years.
Elon was again recognized as one of the country’s most innovative schools, earning a #8 ranking in the category. The Most Innovative national universities list includes those making innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.
Elon University faculty demonstrate a commitment to excellence every day when they inspire classroom learning and mentor students working to achieve their academic and career goals. These rankings reflect a collective effort by exemplary faculty and staff who understand the power of a community that joins together in pursuit of a common goal: human transformation.
Elon was named a national leader in the annual U.S. News “Best Colleges” guide’s “Programs that Enhance Student Experience” category for an 11th consecutive year. This feature looks at eight categories of programs linked to student success and positive learning outcomes.
- #1 Learning Communities
- #1 First-Year Experiences
- #2 Study Abroad
- #2 Service Learning
- #2 (tied) Senior Capstone
- #8 Writing in the Disciplines
- #8 Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
- #9 Co-ops/Internships
This year Elon was the only institution to be ranked among the top 10 in all eight categories. Duke University ranked in the top 20 in eight categories, Agnes Scott ranked in the top 20 in six categories, Princeton University and Yale University ranked in the top 20 in five categories.
The Top 10 national universities recognized for “Best Undergraduate Teaching” this year:
- #1 Elon University
- #2 Brown University
- #3 (tied) Dartmouth University
- #3 (tied) Princeton University
- #5 Georgia State University
- #6 Boston College
- #7 Duke University
- #8 (tied) Rice University
- #8 (tied) Yale University
- #10 University of Notre Dame
“Most Innovative” National Universities:
- #1 Arizona State University
- #2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- #3 Georgia Institute of Technology
- #4 Carnegie Mellon University
- #5 Northeastern University
- #6 Stanford University
- #7 California Institute of Technology
- #8 Elon University
- #8 Georgia State University
- #10 Johns Hopkins University