For the seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has named UNC Greensboro the top university in North Carolina for social mobility—recognizing its impact on improving the socioeconomic status of students and their families. 

Nationally, UNCG climbed to No. 13 in the publication’s Top Performers on Social Mobility category, up two spots from last year’s ranking of No. 15. 

In its 2026 rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized UNCG in nine categories: 

• Top National Universities (No. 198) 
• Top Public Schools (No. 109) 
• Best Value Schools (No. 204) 
• Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs (No. 74) 
• Best Colleges for Veterans 
• Business and computer science programs also earned national recognition. 

So far this year, UNCG has received 80 accolades from eight ranking organizations, including: 

Washington Monthly: 

• Best Bang for the Buck (No. 3 in North Carolina, No. 12 in the Southeast) 

Money Magazine: 

• Best Nursing Graduate Schools for Your Money 

Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression: 

• No. 1 in North Carolina and No. 6 nationally for College Free Speech Rankings 

Princeton Review included UNCG on six unranked lists: 

• Best Business Schools 
• Top 50 Online MBA Programs 
• Best Colleges 
• Best in the South 
• Green Colleges 
• Mental Health Honor Roll  

Niche featured UNCG in 50 College Rankings, including: 

• Best Colleges in America 
• Best Online Colleges 
• Top Public Universities 
• Best Value 
• Best College Campuses 
• Best Student Life 
• Best College Locations 
• Best College Dorms 

Academic programs honored by Niche include: 

• Education 
• Public Health 
• Art 
• Psychology 
• Public Policy 
• Accounting 
• Business 
• Communications 

University Magazine, a Canadian outlet, ranked UNCG 

• No. 1 in North Carolina on its Best Online Colleges list. 

QS World University Rankings recognized UNCG in three categories, including: 

• World University Rankings 
• Sustainability 

“Our No. 1 rankings in social mobility and free speech reflect the core values that define our mission,” said UNCG Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam Jr. “The many other accolades highlight the University’s upward trajectory—a product of careful planning and deliberate strategy.”

Story by Brian Clarey, University Communications
Photo by Sean Norona, University Communications
Graphic by Michael A. Ream III, University Communications