The latest college rankings from U.S. News & World Report have placed Denison higher in multiple categories, recognizing the college’s momentum and reaffirming its position as a premier liberal arts college. Denison moved up to #34 among national liberal arts colleges — up 21 places since 2016 — and #1 in Ohio.
Denison also secured its place as the #4 most innovative national liberal arts college for the second year and climbed 20 places to #29 for best undergraduate teaching. Denison also improved in the best value, social mobility, and first-year experience categories. U.S. News & World Report is the leading producer of college rankings.
“Our faculty are innovating in the classroom, our staff are creating an environment where students thrive, and our students are pushing themselves to achieve. Together, we are building a college that continues to be recognized nationally for its excellence,” said Denison President Adam Weinberg. “Our students benefit from a highly relational campus and a wide array of curricular and co-curricular experiences. They are flourishing in ways that unlock their potential to be the architects of their own lives.”
These improvements mirror Denison’s rise in Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, released in August. Among all 2,400 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S., Denison climbed to #2 for best career services and #4 for best classroom experience. Denison also received top honors on Princeton Review’s list for its students’ overall experience and satisfaction — #2 for happiest students, #6 for best quality of life, and #7 for students who love their college.
Denison also recently saw its third straight record-breaking year for fundraising, and Big Red student-athletes achieved arguably the greatest year in Denison’s athletics history in 2025, including two NCAA national titles in men’s tennis and men’s swimming and diving, six top-8 finishes, and 11 conference regular-season championships.