As the University of Louisville continues to redefine student success, Cardinal progress takes flight with the university’s highest rank on record from the U.S. News & World Report for its 2026 Best Colleges.
UofL soared 13 spots to reach No. 84 among Top Public Schools, and it climbed to No. 158 on the Best National Universities list, a jump of 21 spots from the previous year. The increase is the largest among ACC institutions and places UofL in a tie with the University of Cincinnati among public schools.
“We are so pleased by the university’s advancement as proved, in part, through these national rankings,” said President Gerry Bradley. “Each day, we prioritize efforts to create thriving futures for our students, our community and our society, and our work is getting noticed.”
The U.S. News and World Report’s ranking system is based on two pillars. Schools are categorized according to their mission, determined by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and 17 indicators of academic excellence, such as graduation rates and student-to-faculty ratio.
UofL’s scores improved in several categories, including a 3-percentage point increase in the six-year graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients and growth in the percentage of full-time faculty.
This record-setting ranking adds to other recent honors. Earlier this year, U.S. News and World Report also rated UofL a Best Global University, placing it in the top 30% of universities worldwide, recognized for academic research and reputation. Additionally, three UofL programs are rated in the top 21% in the country in their 2025 list of Best Online Programs. And, the UofL School of Medicine received acclaim as one of the nation’s best in the 2025 edition of Best Graduate Schools.
The university also recently was recognized by the Princeton Review, which bases its rankings on student surveys, as a Best Colleges 2026 and Best Regional College (South).
“Recognition from esteemed groups like U.S. News and World Report reflects our mission to educate and serve our students and our community,” Bradley said. “By focusing on opportunities like access, retention and financial support, we are increasing our students’ ability to succeed, and we remain steadfast in our goal to prepare our Cardinals for the challenges of tomorrow.
“Our work continues to enhance the national and international reputation of the university, and we are pleased to see that this is reflected in our elevated status in these rankings. Ensuring that we continue this progress is a priority for UofL.”