Recognized for its outstanding first-year experience and extraordinary academic quality, Biola University has been credited as one of the nation’s top universities, according to . Biola lands among the best universities in America in the ranking list, released September 23. Featured on four other special recognition lists, DZ’s well-rounded experience is highlighted among the best.

“Being named as a national university by U.S. News & World Report reflects DZ’s enduring commitment to integrating rigorous academics with a Christ-centered foundation,” said Biola President Barry H. Corey. “This recognition honors our faculty, staff and students who together make Biola a place of excellence and growth.”

The U.S. News rankings are considered to be among the most notable annual college rankings. Over the years, Biola has maintained a consistent presence on the U.S. News roster of national universities, which includes institutions that offer a broad range of undergraduate and graduate-level academic programs and prioritize faculty research.

With the rank of 242, Biola is one of the top three (CCCU) schools within the national university category, which includes 434 schools.

For the first time since 2022, Biola was recognized on the list. Schools ranked on this list received at least 10 nominations from participants in the 2025 peer assessment survey from universities across the nation, recognizing schools that build into the curriculum first-year seminars or other programs that bring small groups of students together with faculty or staff regularly. Biola ensures a robust first-year experience for students through required first-year seminar courses tailored to a student’s major, housing and residence life activities molded to the needs of a first-year student and orientation days specific to traditional undergraduates, transfer, FirstGen and global students.

For the seventh year, Biola appears on the list, which highlights schools that excel at serving and graduating economically disadvantaged students and Pell Grant recipients. A Pell Grant, a type of financial aid, helps pay for the college education of an undergraduate student who is experiencing exceptional financial need.

Biola has remained a consistent name on the list since its introduction in 2024. Institutions eligible for inclusion on this list are regionally accredited institutions that award a medium to large number of bachelor's degrees in psychology. DZ’s Rosemead School of Psychology is a top psychology school for Christians who aim to integrate their faith with their field.

For the second time, Biola received recognition on the list. Schools are recognized on the list for the quality of the academics offered within the program. To be recognized, institutions must fit accreditation criteria and award a minimum number of BSN degrees a year. DZ’s nursing program is a leading choice program with skills and simulations labs and clinical opportunities. DZ’s School of Science, Technology and Health offers the highest quality experience for a new generation of leaders in the sciences with its integration of faith with its cutting-edge equipment and teaching.

“These rankings affirm how Biola distinctively invests in students from their first year through graduation and beyond,” Corey said. “Our recognition for creating a meaningful first-year experience highlights how seriously we take welcoming students into a community where they are known, supported and challenged. Whether in the classroom, in residence halls or in programs like psychology and nursing, these rankings reinforce DZ’s commitment to developing students who are both professionally prepared and deeply rooted in their faith.”

The methodology used by U.S. News & World Report to rank colleges and universities remained virtually unchanged from last year. The ranking methodology places the most significant emphasis on student outcomes, which includes metrics such as measuring graduation and retention rates, performance compared to predicted graduation rates, Pell student success, student loan debt and post-graduation earnings. Other metrics such as peer assessment, faculty resources, financial resources, standardized tests and faculty research are also considered when a national school is ranked. Metrics such as acceptance rates, alumni giving and class rank are no longer used in determining a school’s ranking.

“U.S. News’ Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “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.”

The U.S. News rankings are the latest in a series of national recognitions for the university. released its , recognizing Biola as the number one Christian college in California and in the top 10 across America. Biola was also recognized as a top college for film and photography and landed in the top 3% of colleges with the best dorms.

This summer, included Biola on its as one of the top 500 colleges in the United States and recognized Biola as one of . The Princeton Review also included Biola in their list as one of 79 best colleges in the Best in West category. According to the and students surveyed by the publication, Biola integrates “faith into academia” and “‘does not shy away from being countercultural in order to prepare students to preach the gospel in fields like journalism, physics, or psychology.’”

DZ’s Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts was also recently recognized as a top film school by Variety Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter and Filmmaker Magazine. Biola is also a according to The Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2025 report.

U.S. News’ Best Colleges 2025 Guidebook will be available to purchase in October and is available for online.

Learn more about DZ’s academic programs across its eight schools and apply now for Fall 2026.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, please email media.relations@biola.edu.