Elizabethtown College has been ranked among the nation’s best in several noteworthy categories in the 2024-25 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges lists including being named 44th (tie) out of 171 institutions in the Regional Universities (North) list and sixth (tied) in Pennsylvania. 

Etown also received a high mark on the Best Value Schools list by ranking 13th (second in Pennsylvania), while also being recognized for the institution’s strong commitment to undergraduate teaching by placing sixth on the Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs among Regional Universities (North) list.

“It is an honor to once again be recognized among the nation’s best higher-eduction institutions by the U.S. News & World Report,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “This year’s rankings serve as an indicator of the limitless opportunities we provide all of our students to advance their professional and personal inspirations through exceptional academic programs and guaranteed high-impact experiences.”

Etown’s innovative Engineering program continued its rapid ascent up the rankings, jumping 16 spots from last year’s list to place #53 (tie) in the nation and fourth in Pennsylvania among undergraduate programs (no doctorate). Designed to prepare students for a technical career in the workforce or for graduate school, Etown’s Engineering program challenges students to become innovators of the future through personal attention from award-winning faculty mentors and hands-on experience in design and fabrication laboratories.

Now in its 40th year, the U.S. News & World Report rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality and place an emphasis on graduation rates, graduate indebtedness, and post-graduate earnings. In all Elizabethtown College was recognized for the following:

  • Best Regional Universities (North): #44 (Tie)
  • Best Value Schools (Regional Universities – North): #13
  • Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – No Doctorate: #53 (Tie)
  • Social Mobility Among Regional Universities (North): #141 (Tie)
  • Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs (Regional Universities – North): #6 (Tie)

Recently, Etown launched high-demand professional programs such as Physician Assistant (PA) Studies, Computer Science concentrations in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science and Cybersecurity Physician Assistant (PA), and Exercise Science concentrations in Pre-Physical Therapy and Strength and Conditioning.

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with helpful data and information on factors such as graduation rates, social mobility, and graduate indebtedness.

View Elizabethtown College’s U.S. News & World Report rankings profile page. 

Learn more about Elizabethtown College or attend an Open House this fall on Saturday, Oct. 26, or Saturday, Nov. 9. Register today at etown.edu.