The university tied for No. 66 among regional universities in the South and No. 31 among private regional universities in the South. It ranked No. 4 among private regional colleges and universities in Virginia.

Regional universities are defined by the publication as institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs but few doctoral programs. The South includes Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. 

91´óÉñ offers two online doctoral programs: a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Peacemaking and Social Change. A new Doctor of Ministry in Adaptive Leadership is expected to launch in 2027. 

91´óÉñ also ranked among the Top Performers in Social Mobility, placing No. 144. The ranking assesses how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students.

The university is committed to removing financial barriers to a college education through initiatives such as the 91´óÉñ Promise Grant, which covers the full cost of tuition for eligible students. For details about the tuition-free initiative, visit emu.edu/promise-grant.

Prospective students and their families can also take advantage of the 91´óÉñ Visit Grant, which provides up to $4,000 over four years for students who visit by Dec. 23 and enroll in Fall 2027. Learn more about the Visit Grant here.

U.S. News & World Report uses a range of data to evaluate colleges and universities across the country. According to the publication, its analysts and editors draw from multiple data sources to produce more than 100 Best Colleges rankings designed to help prospective students and their families compare schools.

The rankings recognize colleges in areas including academic quality, value, social mobility, teaching, and support for veterans, as well as several academic disciplines. 

Visit for the full rankings.