Rockhurst Named One of America’s Best Colleges by TIME Magazine

TIME Magazine’s list of America’s Best Colleges for 2026-27 is out, and it includes Rockhurst University.

The University was ranked No. 154 on the list, among the top 30% of 500 colleges ranked. TIME partnered with data research firm Statista to compile the list, evaluating the colleges with at least 750 enrolled students based on student outcomes, learning environment, and attractiveness to students. The list, according to TIME, reflects the institutions that provide an outstanding value.

Using publicly available institutional data, the rankings consider student outcome factors such as graduation rates, post-graduation earnings and earnings versus the average cost of attendance. In addition, they measured the learning environment through factors such as faculty-staff ratio, core expenditures per student and student diversity. And to measure attractiveness, TIME and Statista looked at admission versus student yield rates. Because the list was primarily focused on finding the best value schools, student outcomes accounted for 75% of the overall evaluation. 

“It is an incredible honor to be included with such great company,” said University President Sandra Cassady, Ph.D. “At a time when students and their families are more discerning than ever about value and fit for college, providing the highest-quality Jesuit education is a goal to which Rockhurst remains committed. Our faculty and staff work every day to meet the needs of our students from the moment they step on campus and well after they graduate.”

The University has recently earned recognition from Colleges of Distinction, from U.S. News &World Reports, and was also included in Forbes' list of the 500 best American colleges.

Read more about TIME Magazine’s Best Colleges rankings here.