NCCU Achieves Top 10 Social Mobility Ranking in South, U.S. News & World Report Confirms

University climbs to No. 7, an 11-place leap in standings
Omari Collins '16, executive producer of 4th and 1 with Cam Newton, shares how NCCU impacted his life

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is breaking barriers and transforming lives.

The university soared into the top 10 in the southern region for social mobility in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, climbing 11 spots to land at No. 7.

The achievement emphasizes the university's mission to expand opportunity, reflected in a $506 million regional impact and $1.7 billion in added income through student lifetime earnings.

"This ranking proves what Eagles already know; NCCU changes lives," said Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon. "We open doors for first-generation students, support military veterans and create opportunities for working adults. When our students succeed, their families succeed, and entire communities rise with them."

The Eagles also made significant gains across multiple categories:

• No. 11 best college for veterans in the southern region, up three points.
• No. 13 among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), up two spots.
• No. 12 public school in the southern region, up three points.
• No. 27 southern regional university, a seven-point jump.

The news follows NCCU's historic milestone of surpassing 9,000 students for the first time in its 115-year history. Online programs remain the fastest-growing sector, fueled by a 47.2% through NCCU Online and the Project Kitty Hawk partnership, along with a 35% increase in the university's research doctoral programs. Military enrollment also grew by 6.9%, thanks to partnerships with state military installations and a dedicated Veterans Affairs Office.

The 2026 rankings were based on 17 measures of academic quality, including social mobility, graduation rates, graduate indebtedness and post-graduate earnings.   

More details regarding the 'Best Colleges' listings are available at  https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings.