Arcadia University remains among the best colleges and universities in the region, according to the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, released today. Known for its excellence in global programming, Arcadia also keeps its top ranking in the Commonwealth for study abroad, coming in at #1 in Pennsylvania–a spot it has held for seven consecutive years since the introduction of that category–and #9 nationally.

This is also the seventh year in a row that Arcadia is named a Top Performer on Social Mobility, ranked 7th in Pennsylvania and in the top quarter of schools in our region. This ranking assesses how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students and is computed using graduation rates of students awarded Pell grants. 

In its category (Regional Universities: North), Arcadia ties for second among all Philadelphia-area colleges and universities. Earlier this year, Arcadia was named one of The Princeton Review’s best regional colleges for the 11th year in a row.

Arcadia’s graduate programs in the Health Sciences and Education are consistently ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate School rankings, which come out each April.