The latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report name Elmhurst University the second best university in the Midwest for serving veterans, and No. 7 as a Top Performer for Social Mobility.
Elmhurst ranks No. 10 overall in the Best Regional Universities–Midwest category, which compares 171 colleges and universities across 12 states. On this list, Elmhurst is the only Illinois university in the top 19. Elmhurst also ranks No. 10 among Top Private Colleges in the Midwest, a new category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings, which were released on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
The 2027 edition of the U.S. News rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
“Higher education is an investment in a student’s future, and we’re proud to recognize the institutions that continue to raise the bar for academic excellence,” says LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for education at U.S. News. “The Best Colleges rankings celebrate schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student success, providing prospective families with a roadmap to discover high-performing institutions that align with their specific academic, career and personal goals.”
The Best Colleges for Veterans rankings provide data on top-ranked schools that make pursuing a college education more affordable for veterans and active-duty service members. Schools included in the ranking must be certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Fifty-five military students currently attend Elmhurst University, including veterans, students actively serving in the military, and the children and spouses of veterans. The Jans Family Endowed Internship Fund introduces more science, technology and mathematics majors to potential careers in national security and defense. Elmhurst also is home to the Jans Family Veterans and Military Center, a resource center and dedicated gathering space for veteran and military students.
The Top Performers for Social Mobility category describes colleges and universities that have been the most successful at advancing students’ social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students. More than half of Elmhurst’s undergraduate students are the first in their families to attend college, and all receive some form of financial aid. FirstGen Forward, a national nonprofit organization supporting first-generation college student success, recently announced Elmhurst University as a new member of the FirstGen Forward Network Class of 2026, recognizing the University’s demonstrated commitment to fostering success among first-generation students.
The full U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2026-2027 report can be found at usnews.com/best-colleges.
Elmhurst University also made the grade in several other national rankings. According to Niche.com’s 2027 Best Colleges in America, Elmhurst ranks No. 10 among the best schools in Illinois, with University of Chicago at No. 1, Northwestern University at No. 2 and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at No. 3. The Niche.com rankings, which compared more than 1,000 top colleges and universities in the U.S., are based on analysis of academic, admission, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. Elmhurst University also was recognized in college rankings conducted by Money, Time, Washington Monthly and others.