Biola University has again been named one of America’s best colleges, earning a spot in the top tier of the “best national universities” category of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges 2021 rankings, released Sept. 14.

“We celebrate the hard work of our faculty and staff reflected in our ranking in the higher US News & World Report tier for America's national universities,” said Biola University President Barry H. Corey. “It's encouraging to be recognized for the excellent education and thriving community Biola offers to students. Special recognition on several lists this year highlights and affirms our focus on great teaching, Biola's educational value, career outcomes and committed service to veterans.”

The U.S. News rankings are considered the most notable of the annual published college rankings. For more than 20 years, Biola has been included on U.S. News’ list of national universities, which consists of 389 institutions that “offer a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees,” according to U.S. News. This year, Biola is ranked at No. 187 overall, and is one of nine universities that are members of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) to be ranked in the first tier, which consists of 297 schools. Biola is the top ranked CCCU member school in the National Universities category.

To calculate the rankings, U.S. News uses quantitative data that assesses universities’ performance in everything from graduation and retention rates to faculty resources, measuring up to 17 indicators of academic quality. This quantitative data results in 80 percent of the overall score; the remaining 20 percent is based on undergraduate academic reputation surveys.

The annual guide spotlights Biola on a record seven special recognition categories in the 2021 rankings. Notably, Biola is included, for the first time, on the 2021 Undergraduate Computer Science Programs list. For the second year in a row, Biola was recognized on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans list. Biola was included on the list partially for the number of Yellow Ribbon School services and veterans enrolled in those services. Learn more about Biola’s Veteran and Military Affiliated Student Programs and Services online.

For Biola’s strong commitment to undergraduate teaching, Biola made the 2021 Best Undergraduate Teaching list. In addition, Biola was included on the 2021 Top Performers on Social Mobility list for the university’s strong outcomes for Pell Grant recipient students. Ranked at #79 out of 180 national universities, Biola is recognized on the 2022 Best Value Schools list for Biola’s strong quality to price ratio, discount rate and high academic quality alongside its net price.

The annual guide also spotlights Biola as one of the nation’s “A+ schools for B students.” The list includes universities that are deemed as top colleges that seek a broad and engaged student body, admitting students who are well-rounded and have a sense of purpose, and not immediately disqualifying a student from admission who may have less than a 4.0 GPA average.

The U.S. News rankings are the latest in a series of national recognitions for the university. In August, Princeton Review ranked Biola as a 2021 Best Regional College — one of 127 best colleges in the Best in the West category. Princeton Review highlights 655 colleges across five regional zones that are considered academically outstanding and worth students’ consideration during a college search. Students surveyed for Princeton Review shared the following about Biola: "The school’s focus on learning is equaled by its attention to spirituality ... The curriculum incorporates “the things we care about into lessons (connections to real life scenarios, jobs, and the Bible)” and integrates “outside experiences such as field-related volunteer work, observation hours, and internships” to offer “rigorous yet engaging” programs.” Read more at Biola’s Princeton Review profile.

Money Magazine also ranked Biola as one of 739 Best Colleges, ranked by value, in August.

U.S. News’ Best Colleges 2021 guidebook will be in stores on Oct. 27 and is available for pre-order online.

Learn more about Biola’s academic programs across nine schools. Biola launched new programs this fall including a fully online bachelor’s degree program in Public Relations and Reputation Management. Two new master’s degree programs launched as well: Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) and the fully online Public Relations and Reputation Management. Biola will launch a fully online bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood in the Spring.

Written by Jenna Loumagne, assistant director of media relations and strategic communications. For more information, contact Jenna at (562) 777-4061 or jenna.loumagne@biola.edu.