Elon University is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by the annual U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” Guide, which released rankings on Sept. 13. The university also received a No. 9 ranking in the “Most Innovative” category, tied with University of Michigan Ann Arbor, and was ranked No. 83 overall among national universities.
“This year’s #1 national ranking for teaching excellence is a testament to the strong relationships faculty mentors build with their students inside and outside the classroom,” said President of Elon University Connie Ledoux Book in a press release. “Teaching and mentorship are central to an Elon education, and with the support of staff across the university, Elon’s highly skilled faculty are impacting the lives of their students on a daily and lifelong basis.”
After moving to the national universities category in 2019, Elon ranked No. 84 overall and No. 51 among private institutions in 2019, No. 88 overall and No. 55 among private universities in 2020 and in 2021, No. 83 overall and No. 51 among private institutions.
“These recognitions speak to the quality of the broad range of opportunities that are integral to an Elon education,” Book said in the press release. “Thanks to the mentorship provided by Elon faculty and staff, Elon students are positioned to thrive in all aspects of academic and campus life as they prepare for success following graduation.”
Elon ranked No. 1 among learning communities and study abroad, No. 2 for first-year experiences and service learning and No. 3 for senior capstone in 2021.
In North Carolina, 13 colleges and universities were included in the overall national universities rankings, including Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University and North Carolina State University, all of which ranked above Elon University.