NSU enters U.S. News National Universities rankings for the first time

University earns national recognition for social mobility and among Top Public Schools

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — Northeastern State University has been included in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings as a National University for the first time.

NSU also earned national recognition as a Top Public School and a Top Performer on Social Mobility. The university tied at No. 227 nationally for social mobility, making NSU the highest-ranked Oklahoma university in the National Universities category.

The U.S. News National Universities category includes institutions with a broad range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. More than 400 institutions are included in the category. NSU previously competed in the Regional Universities category.

“This is an exciting time for Northeastern State University,” NSU President Rodney Hanley said. “We are proud to be recognized nationally, but we are especially proud to see NSU recognized for social mobility. That recognition speaks to what NSU has always believed: that education has value, and it can create opportunity and change the trajectory of a life, a family and a community.”

U.S. News’ Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking recognizes institutions that enroll and graduate significant proportions of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The ranking considers Pell Grant graduation rates and Pell Grant graduation-rate performance.

NSU tied at No. 227 nationally among National Universities. The next-highest Oklahoma institutions in the National Universities social mobility ranking are ranked at Nos. 302, 314 and 368.

Social mobility is closely connected to NSU’s student population. Nearly half of NSU students have significant financial need, and almost one-third are first-generation college students. More than one-third of NSU students are American Indian, reflecting the university’s history and longstanding partnerships with the Cherokee Nation and tribal nations throughout Oklahoma.

NSU also earned a national ranking among Top Public Schools, placing at No. 210-227.

The rankings come as NSU continues to grow. Fall 2026 enrollment increased 4.8% from the previous fall, marking the university’s fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth. Freshman enrollment increased 30%, with more than 800 new freshmen joining the university.

“Our goal has never been simply to grow for the sake of growth,” Hanley said. “Our goal is to help students reach the finish line. When a student earns a degree, that success extends beyond the individual. It strengthens families, communities and Oklahoma.”

The U.S. News rankings add to several national recognitions NSU has received in recent months. TIME ranked NSU No. 485 among America’s Best Colleges for 2026-27, placing the university among the nation’s top 500 institutions from a field of more than 5,000 colleges and universities. Washington Monthly has also recognized NSU for its value, social mobility and contributions to rural communities.

NSU also received recognition in the U.S. News 2027 rankings for several academic programs, including computer science, psychology and nursing.

For more than a century, Northeastern State University has provided students with an affordable, high-quality education and created pathways to opportunity.

For more information about NSU, visit Go2NSU.com.

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