On Sept. 24, President Sandra Cassady announced in a university-wide email that Rockhurst was “Celebrating Our Best-Ever U.S. News and World Ranking Report.” According to rankings from the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2025, Rockhurst was named the No.7 Regional University in the Midwest in a three-way tie with Elmhurst University and Kettering University.
The 2025 Best College Rankings are split into four categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges. Rockhurst is considered a Regional University, which is defined by the U.S. News and World Report as a university that offers “a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs.” This category is also split geographically by North, South, Midwest and West.
The rationale is based on several factors including graduation rates, first-year retention rates, graduation rate performance, pell graduation rates, pell graduation performance, social mobility, borrower debt, college grads earning more than a high school graduate, peer assessment, faculty resources, standardized tests and financial resources among others.
Rockhurst received several other notable recognitions from the U.S. News and World Report. The university was named No. 6 in Most Innovative Schools in the Midwest in a four-way tie with Lindenwood University, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Purdue University – Fort Wayne, No. 29 in Best Value Schools in the Midwest and finished in the top 30 for best undergraduate analytics, marketing and management programs in the nation.
Rockhurst’s nursing program was also recently ranked No. 1 in Missouri by Niche.
College rankings are released annually and provide valuable information to members of the admissions staff, displaying areas for needed improvement and serving as a beneficial marketing tool.
“It’s a nerve-wracking time before rankings are released as we can never be certain what the outcome will be, and we have to be prepared to react quickly to an unknown outcome,” said Jennifer Tanner, director of enrollment communications. “We are so happy to receive such a positive ranking this year, especially as it is the highest ranking we have ever received in this category.”
Reputation can play a crucial role in college decisions for prospective students, and rankings can provide credibility and a competitive advantage.
“It is an attention-grabber for students who may not have heard of Rockhurst before but are looking for a school with a strong academic reputation in the Midwest,” said Tanner.
For reference, Truman State Univerisity is the only other school in the GLVC, Rockhurst’s athletic conference, ranked in the top ten. This achievement is a noteworthy acknowledgment of Rockhurst’s academic success and could be a contributing factor in recruiting potential athletes.
It is also a rewarding recognition for staff, faculty and students and is a testament to their constant efforts throughout the year.
“I feel that Rockhurst being ranked seventh in the Midwest is well-deserved. The ranking will help people who are not in the university see that Rockhurst is thriving,” said junior Student Senate Vice President Parker Bunch.
Other students shared similar sentiments, including junior Anna Lantz who is majoring in molecular biology on the pre-dental track with a minor in business.
“It shows how strong our school really is academically. As a student, I think it is beneficial because there is no doubt we will be prepared for both grad school or real jobs after we graduate from Rockhurst,” said Lantz.
News of this ranking can be found displayed on updated marketing materials, including on a large sign placed near the main entrance of the university. Further information is available on the university website or through the U.S. News and World Report.
