Wilkes University continues to be ranked among national universities in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges ranking of American colleges and universities. For 2027, Wilkes stands at 308 among 422 national universities. This is the 23rd consecutive year Wilkes has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report and its eighth year as a national university.
The 2027 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
“At Wilkes, student success comes first. Our focus on mentorship, academic excellence and encouragement of students to reach their fullest potential have distinguished our institution since its founding,” said President James Cousins. “I am so proud to see Wilkes continue to be recognized for its academic experiences as well as its graduate outcomes.”
Wilkes continues to rank on the U.S. News list of Top Performers on Social Mobility, which measures how well schools educate and graduate Pell Grant recipients, or students with the greatest financial need. Wilkes achieved a ranking of 290 in this category. In a new category for 2027, Top Private Colleges – National Universities, Wilkes was ranked 146.
U.S. News and World Report also recognized Wilkes for its engineering bachelor’s degree programs among institutions that do not offer doctoral degrees in the engineering field, undergraduate business programs and bachelor of science in nursing degree.
The Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News and World Report are published each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings, which date back to 1983, offer detailed information of the institutions and data on factors such as graduation rates and post-graduate earnings.
Additional Recognition
Washington Monthly magazine ranks Wilkes in the top 42% – 622 out of 1504 national universities – in its 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition & Tax Dollars ranking. Wilkes is also in the top 42% in the northeast, positioned at 163 out of 393 institutions.
The Princeton Review, a leading tutoring, test prep and college admissions services company, continues to include Wilkes on its list of schools deemed Best in the Mid-Atlantic. This recognition is based on feedback from students.
TIME magazine, in partnership with Statistica, has included Wilkes in its top 500 of America’s Best Colleges. Institutions in this list are ranked according to student outcomes as well as the institutional learning environment and attractiveness.
Niche, an online platform that connects students and families with colleges and school information, ranks Wilkes among:
- Top 50% for Best Colleges in America
- Top 40% of Private Universities in the U.S.
- Top 25% of College Dorms
- Top 25% of Colleges with the Best Professors
- Top 40% of Colleges with the Best Student Life
- Top 50% of Colleges for Student Athletes
Wilkes earned a ranking of 32 in the Best Colleges list for the state, as well as:
- 20 on the Best College Dorms in Pennsylvania
- 37 for Colleges with the Best Academics in Pennsylvania
- 34 for Colleges with the Best Student Life in Pennsylvania
- 38 for Colleges for Student Athletes in Pennsylvania
Niche also recognized Wilkes among the most diverse colleges in America, best colleges for communication, best colleges for business, best colleges for education and best colleges for biology.
“I’m thrilled to see the exceptional faculty and vibrant campus life at Wilkes acknowledged,” said Cousins. “We truly have a gem in our region of northeastern Pennsylvania. Families who visit our campus, meet with our faculty and coaches or connect with our students know that Wilkes is such a special place and offers so much opportunity.”