McDaniel continues to earn national recognition

From The Princeton Review to U.S. News and World Report, McDaniel College continues to earn recognition among the nation’s top colleges and universities. 

Together, these accolades highlight the value of a McDaniel education and the college's commitment to academic excellence, affordability, and preparing students for successful lives of leadership, service, and social responsibility.

Here is a selection of recent accolades: 

• The Princeton Review features McDaniel among “The Best 392 Colleges” in the 2027 edition of its annual college guide, placing the college among the top 14% of the nation’s four-year colleges. McDaniel is also included on the list of 98 “Best Mid-Atlantic” colleges and recognized as a “Best Value College,” based on academics, costs, financial aid, debt, graduation rates, and alumni career and salary data. McDaniel also earned a spot in the inaugural “Great Outdoors: Students Get Outside” ranking, recognizing a campus community that is engaged with the outdoors.
• U.S. News & World Report includes McDaniel among the 2027 “Best Colleges.” McDaniel is listed on both the “Top Private Colleges” and “Best Regional Universities North” lists. McDaniel is also once again recognized as a “Best Value” and a “Top Performer on Social Mobility,” and is commended for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” recognizing a commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching.
• Money Magazine recognizes McDaniel as one of the “Best Colleges in America” for 2026, based on educational quality, affordability, and alumni success. Only 735, or 31%, of the nation’s four-year colleges were included on the list, with McDaniel earning three and a half stars.
• Washington Monthly includes McDaniel among the 2026 “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars,” which features 500 institutions nationwide, as well as among the “Top 150 Northeast Colleges.”
• Colleges of Distinction names McDaniel among its top colleges for the 2026-27 academic year and highlights the college for affordability. McDaniel’s Business, Education, and Career Development programs also are recognized.

In addition, McDaniel was recognized among the nation’s top schools for military and veteran students in honor of Military Appreciation Month, earning a Military Friendly® Schools designation with silver status, as well as recognition as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for supporting military spouses in pursuing their educational goals (McDaniel College again recognized as Military Friendly).