(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)September 23, 2025

Social mobility performance climbs to highest ranking in college history in 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings

MAHWAH, N.J. – U.S. News and World Report (USNWR) released its Best Colleges 2026 rankings today and Ramapo College of New Jersey, the state’s premier public liberal arts college, has proudly ascended to #8 in the Public Regional Universities-North category, positioning it as the #2 ranked public institution in New Jersey. Ramapo jumped an impressive six points to #21 in the Top Regional Universities-North category. 

Most notably, Ramapo broke into the top 100 with a 34-point jump to #85 for the Top Performers on Social Mobility category, the highest increase by a New Jersey institution. Such an increase is testimony to Ramapo’s continued commitment to enroll and graduate students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. 

“Our significant rise in the rankings for social mobility underscores what we have always known to be true—that a public liberal arts education is a wise investment and one of the most powerful engines of opportunity,” said Ramapo College President Cindy Jebb. “The social mobility of Ramapo College alumni is a reflection of their focus and determination, the individualized attention provided by our faculty and staff, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every Ramapo graduate leaves our campus equipped to shape their future, thrive in a changing economy, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.”

Social mobility refers to the ability to move from one social status to another. In the United States, this often takes the form of upward social mobility, improving one’s socioeconomic standing through education and career opportunities.

The College’s strong commitment to promoting upward social mobility remains steadfast. Targeted programming and funding, such as the $1.3 million Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement grant to support low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students in STEM and other fields, and the $2.2 million Department of Education grant, which helps re-engage students who started but never completed college, are two examples of initiatives that directly support Ramapo students in earning a college degree and securing gainful employment. These programs offer academic counseling, faculty mentoring, research opportunities, help with graduate school applications, and more. In addition, Ramapo is home to the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program which provides academic support and financial aid for eligible students, making college more accessible for those who face economic and educational disadvantages.

Ramapo also maintains a strong infrastructure to support upward mobility, including the establishment of its First-Generation and Multicultural Student Centers, both of which focus on supporting students by offering specialized guidance and services. The award-winning  Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons consolidates academic support services, technology-rich spaces, and study environments, further supporting all students’ academic and personal success. 

Recognizing some of the barriers that prevent students from completing their degree might include facing food insecurity and homelessness, the College’s WeCare Program provides access to fresh food and pantry items through its  Food Pantry, professional clothing for interviews via its  Clothing Closet, a partnership with Laptop Upcycle to provide computers to students in need, and emergency relief funding to mitigate financial hardships students may confront, helping them persist and graduate rather than take a leave of absence and possibly not re-enroll. 

One of the most unique offerings for career readiness in  the nation is the Pathways Program facilitated by the Cahill Career Development Center. All students complete career assessment; resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile development, and interview practice as part of their degree requirements, equipping and empowering them for their career or graduate school paths upon graduation.U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information of the institutions and data on factors such as graduation rates, graduate indebtedness and post-graduate earnings.

“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.”

To learn more about the power of the affordable and transformative education Ramapo College delivers, visit ramapo.edu.

###

About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Press Release Archives

| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |