Taylor University Ranked #1 for Undergraduate Teaching by U.S. News & World Report

For the second year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Taylor University the #1 College in the Midwest for Undergraduate Teaching, recognizing the University’s exceptional commitment to student learning.

The distinction comes from the publication’s annual Best Colleges list. To determine the ranking, U.S. News surveyed presidents, provosts (chief academic officers), and deans across the region, asking them to identify schools where faculty demonstrate outstanding dedication to baccalaureate education. Taylor received the highest number of nominations in its category.

“Taylor faculty view teaching as a calling,” said Provost Dr. Jewerl Maxwell. “They invest deeply in students—bringing together rigorous academics, spiritual formation, and personal mentorship—so that every graduate is equipped to excel in their field and lead lives of purpose and impact.”

This recognition reflects Taylor’s ongoing investment in both students and faculty. Through the Bedi Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, professors are equipped with seminars, workshops, and grants for innovative research and pedagogy. The result is a distinctive, Christ-centered approach to undergraduate education that produces measurable outcomes across disciplines.

Some outcomes of Taylor’s dedication and investment include:

• Health Sciences: For the last three years, 100% of Taylor graduates who successfully completed the University’s pre-med advising program were accepted into medical schools across the country.
• STEM Excellence: Taylor’s Engineering program is ABET-accredited, aligning with rigorous industry standards. Meanwhile, Taylor is one of only 16 Christian colleges that has ACS (American Chemical Society) approved Chemistry and Biochemistry programs, providing students with unparalleled access to resources.
• Film & Media: Taylor’s nationally recognized Film and Media program has won more than 1,200 external awards, including three consecutive first-place finishes in Documentary Programs from the Broadcast Education Association.
• Expanding Programs: In the last five years, Taylor has launched more than 90 new majors, minors, concentrations, and certifications—from Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning in Computer Science to Entrepreneurship & Economic Development and Military Science & Leadership—preparing graduates for impact in emerging fields.

Intercultural engagement is also a hallmark of a Taylor education. Each year, about 25% of Taylor’s undergraduate student body participates in study abroad or service-learning opportunities around the world, preparing them to thrive in an increasingly global workforce.

Finally, the University is particularly proud of the moral discernment and character of its students. Taylor took 1^st place last spring at the Midwest Ethics Bowl hosted by the University of Chicago, defeating teams from Harvard, Northwestern, and other top universities. That victory followed a third-place national finish in 2024, highlighting students’ ability to engage today’s toughest ethical questions with clarity and conviction.

In addition to its #1 ranking for Undergraduate Teaching, US News named Taylor #4 overall among the 89 Midwest regional colleges included in its list, and #7 for Best Value. 

As Taylor enters its 180th year, the University continues to grow in equipping servant-leaders who are ready to meet the needs of the world with skill, creativity, and faith.