St. Bonaventure University
SBU jumps to No. 19 in U.S. News ‘Best Colleges’ rankings
St. Bonaventure University jumped six spots to No. 19 among Regional Universities in the North in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings released today.
The university also earned a place among the top 10 in the region for undergraduate teaching and made significant gains in U.S. News’ ranking of universities advancing social mobility.
St. Bonaventure rose from No. 25 to No. 19 overall among Regional Universities in the North and was ranked No. 12 among private universities in the region, a new U.S. News ranking this year.
“While no ranking can fully capture the transformative experience our students have at St. Bonaventure, this recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment of our faculty and staff to their success,” said University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich. “Our students come here to be challenged, supported and inspired, and they leave prepared not only for meaningful careers, but to lead lives of purpose and service. That has always been at the heart of a Bonaventure education.”
Excellence in undergraduate teaching
St. Bonaventure maintained its No. 10 ranking for Best Undergraduate Teaching among Regional Universities in the North.
The ranking recognizes institutions where faculty and administrators at peer universities believe there is an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.
That recognition reflects a defining characteristic of the St. Bonaventure experience: close relationships between students and faculty who serve not only as teachers, but as mentors throughout a student’s college career.
Advancing opportunity
St. Bonaventure also made one of its largest gains in the Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking, climbing 13 places from No. 88 to No. 75 among Regional Universities in the North.
The social mobility ranking measures how well universities graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, which are generally awarded to undergraduates with significant financial need.
The university maintained its No. 25 position among Best Value Schools in the region. U.S. News’ value ranking considers a university’s academic quality alongside the net cost of attendance for students receiving need-based financial aid.
St. Bonaventure’s 2027 U.S. News rankings include:
● No. 19 — Regional Universities – North
● No. 12 — Top Private Colleges – Regional Universities – North
● No. 10 — Best Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities – North
● No. 25 — Best Value Schools – Regional Universities – North
● No. 75 — Top Performers on Social Mobility – Regional Universities – North
National recognition for the Bonaventure experience
The U.S. News rankings are the latest national recognition of the quality and value of a St. Bonaventure education.
In August, The Princeton Review once again named St. Bonaventure to its annual list of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, selecting the university for inclusion in the 2027 edition of “The Best 392 Colleges.” Only about 14% of America’s nearly 2,800 four-year colleges are included in the guide.
The Princeton Review’s recognition draws heavily on feedback from students about their college experience. St. Bonaventure students praised the university’s faculty for their accessibility and commitment to students, calling professors “the backbone of this university.” Students also highlighted the university’s close-knit community and the strong sense of belonging they experience on campus.
The recognition complements St. Bonaventure’s No. 10 U.S. News ranking for Best Undergraduate Teaching, offering two different measures that point to a hallmark of the Bonaventure experience: a highly personal education built around strong relationships between students and faculty.
The 2027 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
U.S. News publishes the rankings annually to help prospective students and their families compare undergraduate institutions. The rankings include information and data on factors such as graduation rates and post-graduate earnings.
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South Carolina LowCountry Bonnies Weekend Getaway
Join fellow Bonnies for a fun-filled weekend on Hilton Head Island, Sept. 25–26! Kick things off with happy hour Friday evening at Local Legend Brewing, followed by a Saturday golf outing at Indigo Run and an evening cruise aboard the Salty Dog.
Friday the 25th - Cocktails at Legends Brewery & Beer Garden from 6:00 PM.
Saturday the 26th - golf outing at Indigo Run, price $126 per round, 5 tee times for groups of four starting at 12:30, clubhouse to be closed for an event but we will have access to a beverage cart and driving range.
Saturday the 26th - evening cruise on the Salty Dog Cruise boat at 6:00 PM, price is $43 per person.
Please contact the alumni office with any questions and we will get you in touch with the SC Chapter Leader, Andy Fry.
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Family Legacy Reception
Family Weekend Legacy Reception
Legacy families are invited to join us for refreshments during Family Weekend! Hosted by the Office of Alumni Engagement, this special reception is an opportunity to meet some of our deans and faculty, connect with fellow legacy families, and enjoy time together on campus.
SBU legacy students and their family members are welcome to attend, so bring the whole family and gather for a Bona family photo!
Saturday, Sept. 26
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Reilly Center – Hall of Fame RoomKindly RSVP by Friday, Sept. 18. Registration details coming soon!
For questions or more information, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@sbu.edu.
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Explore SBU your way! Next option:
Explore St. Bonaventure your way with campus tours, Discovery Days, Open Houses and personalized visits this fall!
Fall Open Houses
Saturday, Oct. 3 & Saturday, Oct. 24
Dennis R. DePerro School of Health Professions Discovery Day
Friday, Oct. 16
Schools of Communication and Education Discovery Day
Friday, Nov. 6
Jandoli School of Communication | School of Education
Veterans Day Discovery Day, featuring the School of Business
Wednesday, Nov. 11
LEARN MORE ABOUT VISITING SBU