Among the nation’s 72 Historically Black College and Universities, Xavier was listed as No. 3, following Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Among all U.S. colleges and universities, U.S. News ranked Xavier 16th out of 92 schools in its grouping of the “Best Regional Universities – South.” That’s up one spot from last year’s ranking. Schools are considered regional universities if they offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master's programs, but few doctoral programs. Another criterion is that they draw the majority of their students from surrounding states. The southern region grouping includes 12 states in the southeastern United States.

In the category “Value,” Xavier ranked 28th in its region. In compiling the list, U.S. News made a determination of what colleges and universities offered the best value for the money as based on each school’s academic quality and its net cost of attendance for students who received the average level of need-based financial aid. 

Xavier also received high marks in two other categories: Most Innovative (9th), schools judged to be making the most cutting-edge improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, and facilities; and Best Undergraduate Teaching (11th), those schools which display an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.

The complete U.S. News report can be found here.