U.S. News & World Report places University among 'best colleges' for 2027

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is among the top 200 public universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 edition of “Best Colleges.”

UL Lafayette was number 189 in the public universities category; it was also, as a national university, ranked at number 353 in that category.

National universities emphasize research and offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. U.S. News & World Report’s best national universities are based on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Within the Carnegie classification, UL Lafayette is designated as a Research University with Very High Research Activity, its highest – and most prestigious – tier.

U.S. News & World Report’s annual guidebook assists prospective students and their parents with decisions about which colleges to attend. The 2027 edition is based on surveys and statistical information compiled during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Rankings are based on a variety of factors, including an institution’s academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, social mobility and student/faculty ratio.

The 2027 edition of “Best Colleges” publishes school profiles that provide information on academic and campus life, application requirements, financial aid, degrees offered and tuition.

In addition to national rankings, the guidebook also includes rankings in a range of other categories.
Among academic programs, UL Lafayette earned high marks for undergraduate nursing programs (No. 135); undergraduate computer science programs (No. 173); undergraduate engineering programs at schools that grant doctoral degrees (No. 192); undergraduate business programs (No. 262); and undergraduate psychology programs (No. 347).

The University was also recognized in the top performers on social mobility category (No. 340).
Learn more about the University’s undergraduate, graduate and online and hybrid course offerings.

Photo caption: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is listed among the top universities in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 edition of “Best Colleges.” Photo credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette