Stetson University was ranked as one of the Best Colleges in the South for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report and also was recognized among Best Value Schools, Most Innovative, Best for Undergraduate Teaching, and Best for Veterans.
The 2026 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
Stetson was ranked again as the No. 7 Best Regional University in the South, No. 7 Best Value School and No. 7 Most Innovative in the South. In addition, Stetson was ranked No. 9 Best for Undergraduate Teaching, No. 20 Best College for Veterans and a Top Performer on Social Mobility in the South.
"We are proud to be recognized for value, innovation and teaching," said Stetson University President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD. "Stetson provides a transformational education, reflecting our deep commitment to outstanding academics and immersive learning opportunities that prepare students for success after graduation."
Through Stetson's Hatter Ready program, students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world settings, including internships, research and study abroad. These career-building activities help to explain why 93% of Stetson graduates gain employment or admission to graduate school.
The U.S. News rankings come a month after Stetson was selected among the Best 391 Colleges in America for 2026 by The Princeton Review. The Princeton Review cited Stetson's "outstanding academic programs" and the impressive feedback from surveys of its students.
In April, U.S. News ranked Stetson College of Law as No. 1 in the nation for Trial Advocacy and No. 3 in Legal Writing for 2025, the third year in a row that Stetson Law received such rankings.
The college rankings released Tuesday focus on undergraduate programs and provide prospective students and their families with valuable information to compare America's colleges and universities.
"U.S. News' Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process," said LaMont Jones, EdD, managing editor for Education at U.S. News. "With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education."
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
