University is No. 2 in New York; Niche recognition adds to strong U.S. News and Princeton Review honors

St. Bonaventure University has been named one of the nation’s leading Catholic institutions, ranking No. 15 in Niche’s 2027 Best Catholic Colleges in America list and No. 2 among Catholic colleges in New York. 

The ranking recognizes Catholic colleges and universities that offer students a strong education and college experience rooted in Catholic traditions and faith. Niche bases the ranking on academic, admissions, financial and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, along with reviews from students and alumni.

“Our Franciscan Catholic identity calls us to educate the whole person and to create a community where every student is known, supported and challenged to grow,” said Dr. Jeff Gingerich, university president. “This ranking is especially meaningful because it recognizes not only academic quality and value, but also the student experience and mission-centered community that make St. Bonaventure distinctive.”

Academics and value are the two most heavily weighted factors in the ranking, accounting for 62.5% of an institution’s score. Niche also considers the quality of professors, campus life, institutional success, diversity, student experience, safety and the surrounding community. 

At St. Bonaventure, Franciscan values are woven into academic and student life, encouraging students to pursue knowledge with compassion, integrity and a commitment to service. Close relationships with faculty and staff provide students with personal attention and mentorship while preparing them for meaningful careers and lives of purpose.

The Niche ranking adds to a series of national distinctions St. Bonaventure has received this year.

In September, St. Bonaventure rose six places to No. 19 among Regional Universities in the North in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 “Best Colleges” rankings. The university was also ranked No. 10 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, No. 12 among private universities in the region and No. 25 among Best Value Schools. 

In August, The Princeton Review once again selected St. Bonaventure for inclusion in The Best 392 Colleges: 2027 Edition. The institutions included in the guide represent approximately the top 15% of four-year colleges in the country.

The Princeton Review’s selection is based on information from college administrators and extensive feedback from students. St. Bonaventure students highlighted the accessibility and commitment of the university’s faculty, its welcoming and close-knit community, and the opportunities available for service and involvement outside the classroom. 

Taken together, the Niche, U.S. News and Princeton Review recognitions reflect the defining strengths of a St. Bonaventure education: excellent teaching, enduring value, a deeply connected community and a Franciscan mission that challenges students to lead with wisdom, compassion and integrity.