The U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings placed Elon University first in Best Undergraduate Teaching for the sixth year in a row, according to a report released Sept. 22. Elon ranked first in first-year experiences and learning communities in the 2025 and 2026 rankings, and the university continued that streak in the 2027 ranking.
Since the 2026 report, Elon rose 17 spots in overall rankings and is now 100th in national university rankings. The university has jumped 21 rankings in two years.
“This year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings reflect what Elon has long known: exceptional teaching and student success go hand in hand,” said Elon President Connie Book in a Today at Elon article.
However, Elon’s ranking in study abroad dropped from No. 2 in the 2026 report to No. 4 in the most recent report. According to the U.S. News & World Report, top study abroad programs contain significant academic work while fostering a connection between students and culture.
Elon also dropped in these five categories:
- Service learning from No. 2 to No. 5.
- Senior capstone from No. 2 to No. 4.
- Writing in the disciplines from No. 8 to No. 13.
- Co-ops and internships from No. 9 to No. 11.
- Undergraduate research from No. 8 to No. 12.
Elon placed in several other categories:
- No. 55 in top private schools.
- No. 145 in best value schools.
- No. 116 in business programs.
- No. 106 in best undergraduate engineering programs.
- No. 276 in computer science.