September 22, 2026
Bradley University has earned recognition in six categories in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, including a place among the nation’s top 40 Best Value National Universities.
Bradley’s 2027 rankings include:
- No. 36 — Best Value, National Universities
- No. 44 — Undergraduate Engineering, Non-Doctorate
- No. 83 — Top Private Schools, National Universities
- No. 135 — Social Mobility, National Universities
- No. 169 — National Universities
- No. 230 — Undergraduate Business
Bradley’s strong showing in the Best Value category reflects the university’s commitment to delivering a high-quality education that prepares students for success while providing meaningful value to students and their families.
“Being recognized as one of the nation’s Best Value universities speaks to what a Bradley education delivers,” said Bradley University President James Shadid. “Our students receive a personalized, hands-on experience that prepares them for meaningful careers and gives them the confidence to pursue their goals. That combination of quality, opportunity and lasting impact makes Bradley a strong investment for students and their families.”
U.S. News classifies Bradley among National Universities, a category that includes institutions offering a broad range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral programs. Bradley’s placement among the top private universities in that category recognizes its strength within a competitive national group.
The university also continues to receive national recognition for its undergraduate engineering and business programs. Bradley’s engineering ranking places it among the country’s leading undergraduate programs at institutions where a doctorate in engineering is not offered.
“Our faculty combine academic expertise with personal mentorship and opportunities for students to put what they learn into practice,” said Bradley University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dan Moon, Ph.D. “Whether students are conducting research, completing internships, collaborating on projects or solving real-world challenges, they graduate prepared to become leaders in their workplaces and communities.”
U.S. News publishes its Best Colleges rankings annually to help prospective students and families compare undergraduate institutions. The rankings consider measures related to academic quality and student success, including graduation and retention rates, student outcomes, faculty resources and financial value.
Bradley’s complete rankings are available on the U.S. News & World Report website.
About Bradley University: Bradley University is a top-ranked private university in Peoria, Ill., where you get a genuinely personalized education at a school that’s big enough to matter. An 11:1 student-faculty ratio, 100+ programs, and a guarantee that every student gets hands-on experiences like internships, capstones, and study abroad, means your education is built around you. Nationally recognized faculty teach across graduate and undergraduate programs in business, communication, education, engineering, fine arts, health sciences, liberal arts and sciences, and technology.
About U.S. News & World Report: U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.