DePauw Stories

U.S. News & World Report released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings, and DePauw is again among the country's top liberal arts institutions. DePauw secured No. 12 among the Most Innovative Colleges, debuted at No. 46 on the newly added Top Private Colleges list, No. 31 in Undergraduate Teaching Programs, and No. 49 in the Overall Rank of National Liberal Arts Colleges, moving up nine spots from its 2026 ranking. 

These distinctions highlight the impact of DePauw’s three-school framework, ongoing educational initiatives and its commitment to students' classroom experiences and deep connections with faculty.

“These rankings confirm what we already know: DePauw delivers an exceptional educational experience for each of our students,” said Mary Beth Petrie, vice president for enrollment management. “To be included along with the most prestigious institutions in the nation is an honor and a testament to the students, faculty, staff and alumni who contribute to our culture of exploration, innovation and collaboration.”

Among national liberal arts colleges, DePauw moved up ten spots to No. 59 on the list of Best Value Schools, a ranking determined by assessing an institution’s academic quality relative to its net cost of attendance. With the recent launch of the DePauw Promise, an initiative that enables the university to meet 100 percent of the calculated financial need for every incoming first-year student, the university expands its commitment to removing cost as a barrier for students who want to attend DePauw. 

U.S. News & World Report compiles its rankings of nearly 1,500 schools on the basis of numerous factors, such as graduation rates, retention rates, financial resources and peer assessments. DePauw’s strong showing in this year’s Best Colleges rankings reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and a robust student experience.