Monmouth University Debuts in U.S. News National Universities Rankings

Monmouth University has joined the ranks of the nation's leading institutions in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges.

Monmouth placed No. 169 among 422 National Universities, joining the U.S. News top-tier category for the first time in University history. Monmouth also placed No. 83 among Top Private National Universities, a national ranking U.S. News introduced this year.

The national milestone closes Monmouth's steady ascent through the Regional Universities North category, going from a debut ranking of 76 in 2005, and climbing to 13 by 2026, reflecting a strong record of academic success that led to this moment.

Monmouth's move to the National Universities category follows its 2025 designation as a Research College and University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, one of only four private institutions in New Jersey to earn the distinction. The University has also invested in signature academic and cultural initiatives, including the Urban Coast Institute and the Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, and broadened its reach through national partnerships and Division I athletics as a member of the Coastal Athletic Association.

"Our history of dynamic growth and development, expanding, and enhancing the quality of academic programs, strengthening the academic profile of incoming students, and earning a national research designation, has made Monmouth a first-choice destination school, affirming the growing leadership and influence of our faculty, staff, and students," said Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy. "Being recognized as a National University confirms that that our efforts and our achievements resonate well beyond our region."

Among all National Universities, Monmouth also ranked No. 68 on the U.S. News list of Top Performers on Social Mobility, a measure built on how successfully an institution enrolls and graduates students who receive federal Pell Grants, awarded to students with significant financial need. The results reflect an access mission that has deepened as the academic profile has risen: the University welcomed a record number of first-generation and/or low-income students to its Class of 2030, which also holds the distinction of the highest incoming grade point average (3.68) of any incoming class in University history.

Monmouth additionally ranked No. 164 in Best Colleges for Veterans and No. 172 in Best Value Schools.

"Monmouth's story has always been about mission-driven academic excellence and continuous improvement," continued Leahy. "The National University designation continues our evolution from a small junior college founded during the Great Depression to a national, doctoral-granting, Division I, research university recognized among the best institutions in the world."

Monmouth University's full 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings profile is available online.