Rankings and Recognition
Independent rankings reflect what defines the Blue Streak experience: academic excellence, value, and a mission that matters.
A reputation built on results.
- #2 Best Regional Universities, Midwest (tie) — U.S. News & World Report
- #3 Most Innovative, Midwest — U.S. News & World Report
- #9 Most Engaged in Community Service — The Princeton Review
- Carnegie Foundation 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement
2026 edition
U.S. News & World Report
“Best Colleges” rankings, released annually each September. JCU ranks in three undergraduate categories, plus a separate 2026 Best Online MBA ranking.
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Number 2, tie. Best Regional Universities, Midwest (tie)
Among 161 regional universities evaluated across the Midwest on outcomes, faculty resources, financial resources, student excellence, and peer assessment.
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Number 3. Most Innovative Regional Universities, Midwest
Recognizes schools making the most innovative improvements to curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities.
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Number 18. Best Value Schools, Regional Universities Midwest
Ranks schools based on academic quality and the net cost of attending for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.
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Number 78. Best Online MBA Programs
#78 of 364 ranked online MBA programs nationwide (tie), and 6th in Ohio, based on engagement, expert opinion, faculty credentials and training, student services, and student excellence.
2026–2027
TIME
Inaugural “America’s Best Colleges” ranking of 500 U.S. institutions, produced with Statista. Centers on student outcomes, including graduate earnings and completion rates, plus learning environment and attractiveness. Data from IPEDS and College Scorecard.
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America’s Best Colleges
Named among TIME’s America’s Best Colleges 2026–2027, a ranking of the top 500 U.S. institutions. List inclusion, not a numeric overall rank.
2025 edition
The Wall Street Journal
2025 “Best Colleges in the U.S.” — weights student outcomes (70%), learning environment (20%), and diversity (10%).
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Best Colleges in the U.S. — 206 of 500
Ranked #206 of 500 colleges in The Wall Street Journal / College Pulse 2025 rankings, measured primarily on graduate salary uplift, graduation rates, and student satisfaction.
The Princeton Review
Student-surveyed lists from The Best 392 Colleges, plus a separate On-Campus MBA designation.
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Best Colleges Guide
Named to The Princeton Review’s Best 392 Colleges — a selective national list, not a numeric overall rank.
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Number 9. Most Engaged in Community Service
A direct expression of JCU’s Jesuit mission — students engage in community service at among the highest rates in the country.
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Number 17. Best College Radio Station
Students rank JCU among the nation’s best college radio stations in the 2027 edition.
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Number 20. Best Student Support & Counseling Services
Ranked 20th nationally for the quality, accessibility, and range of student mental-health and academic-support services.
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Number 25. Town–Gown Relations Are Great
Students praise the relationship between JCU and University Heights — a lived connection to community, internships, and Cleveland.
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2027 School Ratings
Princeton Review ratings (out of 99): Professors Accessible 92, Financial Aid 90, Professors Interesting 88, Admissions 87, Quality of Life 87, Fire Safety 87, Academic 81, Green 78. These are scores, not ranking-list placements.
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Best On-Campus MBA Programs (2027)
Named as one of the nation’s best on-campus MBA programs in The Princeton Review’s Best On-Campus MBA Programs (2027 edition) list — a designation, not a numeric rank.
Best Value Colleges · 2025
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Best Value Colleges in America
Included among 209 Best Value Colleges from 650+ evaluated, based on academics, cost, and career outcomes. List inclusion, not a 1–209 overall rank.
Accreditations and Classifications
Standing · 2026
AACSB International
The global accreditation standard for business schools — held by fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide.
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AACSB-Accredited Business Schools Worldwide
Boler College of Business holds AACSB accreditation. Only 6% of institutions offering business degrees worldwide have earned AACSB accreditation.
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Business + Accountancy Accreditation
JCU is one of 195 institutions with separate AACSB accounting accreditation, as of February 2026.
2026–2032
Carnegie Foundation
The Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement recognizes institutions with a sustained, institution-wide commitment to community partnership.
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2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, valid through 2032.
John Carroll earned the 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, valid through 2032.
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Rankings and recognitions are current as of September 9, 2026. All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
