U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings highlight value of a Loyola education

Loyola University Chicago has again been recognized among the nation’s best in the newly released U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges rankings, earning top distinctions for undergraduate teaching, value, and academic excellence across several programs, including business, nursing, and engineering. 

Loyola ranked #51 nationally for Best Undergraduate Teaching, underscoring the University’s long-standing commitment to Jesuit intellectual tradition, utilizing high-impact learning experiences and faculty engagement.  

Loyola also advanced seven spots to #74 in Best Value Schools, affirming its strength in delivering a high-quality education at a competitive cost. 

Five disciplines ranked among the Top 25 in the nation, and more were the best in Chicago:

• Nursing: Ranked #13 in the nation, placing it in the top 2% nationally and top 4 among private universities
• Business: Ranked #77 in the nation, and the top undergraduate business school in Chicago for 12 consecutive years 
• International Business: Ranked #10 in the nation and best in Chicago 
• Business Analytics: Ranked #16 in the nation and best in Chicago. Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business builds data-driven decision making throughout all its academic programs and offers bachelor’s degrees specifically in Accounting and Analytics and Information Systems and Analytics.
• Marketing: Ranked #22 in the nation and best in Chicago  
• Accounting: Ranked #25 in the nation and best in Chicago 
• Engineering (no doctorate): Ranked #38 nationally and is Chicago’s top program of its kind 

“These rankings affirm what our students, alumni, and community have long known: Loyola offers an exceptional education rooted in Jesuit values that prepares students for meaningful lives and careers,” said Douglas W. Woods, provost and chief academic officer. “The strength of our undergraduate teaching and programs reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff, and our growing recognition as a Best Value school demonstrates our deep commitment to accessibility and student success.” 

The recognition comes at a time when Loyola continues to expand its impact locally, regionally, and nationally. Loyola was ranked among the top 30 percent of national universities overall (#132) and remains one of only a handful of Jesuit universities nationally recognized across multiple categories in the U.S. News rankings. 

The latest rankings from U.S. News follows recent recognitions; Loyola was named among the nation’s Best Colleges by Princeton Review, and top among Private Colleges as well as Research Universities by Forbes. 

Learn more about rankings and what sets Loyola apart.