U.S. News & World Report's "Best College" rankings for 2027 has SUNY Fredonia at No. 24 among the top universities in the North, moving up one position from last year. The university is also ranked No. 85 among public and private institutions in the "Regional Universities North" category. The category includes universities that offer a broad range of undergraduate programs and select Master's degrees. U.S. News also recognizes Fredonia nationally in its "Top Performers on Social Mobility" category.
University President Stephen Kolison says, "Fredonia is focused on the work that matters most: offering strong academic programs, providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities, and creating a campus where every student knows they belong. Our rise among public universities and continued national recognition for social mobility reflect that commitment of our faculty and staff and the determination of our students."
Fredonia has maintained a longstanding place among the top public universities in the North. The U.S. News region includes institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Affordability remains central to Fredonia's public mission. The university offers approximately $10 million in merit- and need-based scholarships to new and returning students each year. Ninety-seven percent of first-year students receive financial aid, and 94% receive a grant or scholarship. The university also continues to invest in academic programs that respond to student interests and workforce needs. Enrollment in Fredonia's graduate programs has increased by 50% over the past five years, reflecting growing interest in advanced study and professional preparation. Those academic investments include the new Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Studies, launched this fall through the School of Music.
The U.S. News "Top Performers on Social Mobility" category considers how well institutions enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants. That work is supported by Fredonia’s Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) Program, which provides students with individualized advising, academic support, career development and financial resources designed to remove barriers to completing a degree.
The annual U.S. News rankings evaluate colleges and universities using measures that include graduation and retention rates, social mobility, faculty resources, financial resources and student outcomes.
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