St. Lawrence Named One of the Nation’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report

In the 2026 rankings, St. Lawrence placed: 

• No. 58 among National Liberal Arts Colleges 

• No. 63 among Top Performers in Social Mobility 

• No. 65 among Best Value Schools 

These rankings reinforce the University’s strong standing among peer institutions, putting it in the top 30% of the country’s nationally ranked liberal arts colleges. Together, they highlight St. Lawrence's enduring commitment to academic excellence, accessibility, and opportunity. 

A Focus on Social Mobility 

St. Lawrence earned a strong position among the nation’s top performers in social mobility. This ranking measures how well colleges enroll and graduate students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and are most often eligible for Pell Grants. The University is dedicated to ensuring that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, have access to transformative opportunities and the support they need to thrive. This includes funding for faculty-mentored research, off-campus study, and internships that students can take advantage of as early as their first year on campus.  

Value and Excellence 

St. Lawrence’s recognition as one of the nation’s best value schools affirms the University’s efforts to make a liberal arts education both affordable and impactful. With a personalized approach to academic and career planning, strong alumni outcomes, and meaningful mentorship from faculty and alumni, students graduate prepared for lives of purpose and leadership. 

“St. Lawrence has always been about opening doors— to rigorous academics, immersive research, internships, and a supportive community that champions every student’s potential,” said President Kate Morris. “These rankings reaffirm the value of a St. Lawrence education and the opportunities it creates for students from all backgrounds.” 

Recent Rankings and Accolades 

Earlier in the year, St. Lawrence was ranked No. 1 on a list of top 20 best private school alumni networks in the Princeton Review’s “Best Value Colleges” guide for 2025 

The University also climbed to No. 4 on “Top 20 Best Private Schools for Internships” and once again ranked among the “Best Schools for Making an Impact.”    

Learn About Our No. 1 Alumni Network

St. Lawrence was one of just 209 institutions nationwide that made the “Best Value Colleges” guide after more than 650 colleges and universities were surveyed.   

In addition, the University received extensive recognition in The Princeton Review’s “Best 391 Colleges” guide and was named in the following categories:  

• No. 4, “Best Science Lab Facilities” 
• No. 5, “Best Student Support and Counseling Services”
• No. 9, “Town-Gown Relations are Great”
• No. 11, “Most Accessible Professors” 
• No. 11, “Most Active Student Government” 
• No. 15, “Best College Library”
• No. 15, “Happiest Students” 
• No. 18, “Their Students Love These Colleges”
• No. 18, “Lots of Greek Life”
• No. 16, “Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation”  
• No. 18, “LGBTQ Friendly”
• No. 20, “Most Politically Moderate Students”  

Applying to St. Lawrence

St. Lawrence is now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 semester. High school seniors: learn how to apply and the details of our $1,000 visit award.