The College ranks first among all Pa. institutions in Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs; Engineering moves into the nation’s top-50 ranked programs
Elizabethtown College has received high rankings across several notable categories in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges lists, including being ranked 45th (tie) out of 164 institutions in the Regional Universities (North) list (fourth in Pennsylvania).
Etown was recognized for its strong commitment to teaching undergraduates, placing sixth on the Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs among Regional Universities (North) list, and first among all Pennsylvania institutions.
The College also earned high marks on the Best Value Schools list by ranking 27th (fifth in Pennsylvania), while Etown’s standout Engineering program moved into the nation’s top-50 ranked programs at 46th (tie) and fourth across all engineering programs in the Commonwealth.
“These rankings are a testament to the distinct value of an Etown education, which prepares students for their careers and for a life of purpose,” Elizabethtown College President Betty Rider said. “What sets Etown apart – and what these rankings reflect – is our deeply personalized approach to student success through faculty mentorships and real-world experiences that empower our Blue Jays to grow and thrive in a global world.”
Etown Engineering continued its ascent in the rankings, moving up seven spots from last year’s list, and has now improved nearly 100 spots in the rankings since 2019. The 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.
In all, Elizabethtown College was recognized for the following:
- Best Regional Universities (North): #45 (Tie)
- Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs (Regional Universities – North): #6 (Tie)
- Best Value Schools (Regional Universities – North): #27
- Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs – No Doctorate: #46 (Tie)
- Social Mobility Among Regional Universities (North): #146 (Tie)
Now in its 41st year, the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings evaluate more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. View Elizabethtown College’s U.S. News & World Report rankings profile page.
“U.S. News’ Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said. “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.”
Etown has recently launched numerous high-demand professional programs such as a Medical Laboratory Science major, along with Computer Science concentrations in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, Software Development, and Cybersecurity and Exercise Science concentrations in Pre-Physical Therapy and Strength and Conditioning. These additions complement the College’s already sought-after programs in Occupational Therapy, Engineering, Biology, Business, Education, Humanities, Psychology, and Political Science.
Students at Etown have meaningful interactions by engaging with faculty mentors in First-Year Seminars, experiential courses, and collaborative research. That impact continues long after graduating from Etown, with 98% of graduates reporting having a professor who made them excited about learning, compared to the national average of 84%.
Discover more about Elizabethtown College or attend a fall Open House on Saturday, Oct. 25, or Saturday, Nov. 8, for prospective students and families. Register today at etown.edu.