D鈥橸ouville University Rises for the Fourth Straight Year in National Rankings
D鈥橸ouville University has once again risen in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, marking its fourth consecutive year of upward movement. In the 2026 rankings, D鈥橸ouville is now placed at No. 242 among National Universities, up 17 places from last year鈥檚 rankings.
In addition to its overall rise, D鈥橸ouville earned several distinctions in this year鈥檚 rankings:
- #1 Private University in Buffalo
- #14 nationwide in earnings above a high school diploma (#3 in New York State)
- #101 in Social Mobility (#2 in Buffalo)
鈥淭hese rankings reflect what we see every day at D鈥橸ouville: students from every background empowered to achieve, thrive, and lead in ways that change communities,鈥 said President Dr. Lorrie Clemo. 鈥淥ur momentum as a university is extraordinary, but it is grounded in the same mission that has guided us for more than a century 鈥 to educate leaders who serve with knowledge, compassion, and purpose.鈥
The 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluated more than 1,700 U.S. institutions using up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate success, including outcomes such as graduation rates, post-graduate earnings, and social mobility.
D鈥橸ouville鈥檚 consistent rise in national standing reflects the university鈥檚 transformational growth in recent years, including:
- The transition from college to university, expanding its academic scope and impact.
- Growth in graduate, doctoral, and online programs, including accelerated pathways in health professions.
- A thriving Division II athletics program, which has expanded from 178 to 345 student-athletes.
- The creation of the College of Medicine, a groundbreaking initiative for Buffalo and beyond.
The College of Medicine is one of the most ambitious projects in D鈥橸ouville鈥檚 116-year history鈥攁nd a historic milestone for our region. It will be the first College of Osteopathic Medicine in Western New York and the region鈥檚 first new medical school in nearly two centuries. Already, nearly 50 clinical affiliation agreements with hospitals and healthcare providers across Western New York, Upstate New York, and New York City are in place, ensuring students will have robust clinical training opportunities. The new college will play a pivotal role in addressing the region鈥檚 physician shortage and strengthen interprofessional collaboration across D鈥橸ouville鈥檚 health programs, ensuring patients benefit from coordinated, team-based care.
鈥淎s our national reputation rises, so too does the value of a D鈥橸ouville degree,鈥 Clemo continued. 鈥淲e are proud that our graduates are excelling in competitive fields, earning strong outcomes, and making a difference in their communities. These rankings are a testament to the determination of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff, and the unwavering support of our alumni.鈥
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鈥檚 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. Prospective students can see how D鈥橸ouville compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on
For more information about D鈥橸ouville University and its programs, visit dyu.edu.
About D鈥橸ouville University
D鈥橸ouville University is a nationally ranked private university founded in 1908 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, which offers degrees in the health sciences and business. D鈥橸ouville University promotes a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Through transformational educational experiences, students are prepared for growth, career success, and upward mobility. For more information, visit dyu.edu.