Marywood University surged 16 places to #45 overall among Regional Universities North in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, making Marywood the highest-ranked Northeastern Pennsylvania university in this category. Marywood also debuted at #30 in the Top Private Universities list, making it the highest‑ranked Northeastern Pennsylvania private higher education institution, affirming Marywood’s strong student outcomes, favorable class sizes, and robust institutional support.

The Regional Universities North category includes 155 institutions across 11 states and the District of Columbia and evaluates universities in relation to peers with similar academic missions, degree offerings, and geographic locations. Collectively, these rankings reflect Marywood’s continued advancement as a high-quality, student-centered university distinguished by academic excellence, affordability, access, and strong support for students from enrollment through graduation.

“This significant rise reflects Marywood’s remarkable momentum and the collective commitment of our faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, and supporters,” said Lisa A. Lori, J.D., President of Marywood University. “We are delivering an exceptional education, strengthening student outcomes, expanding opportunities, and demonstrating that academic quality and affordability can—and should—go hand in hand.”

The recognition comes as Marywood welcomes the largest incoming domestic class in its history. The Fall 2026 incoming class includes 822 students: 655 incoming full-time undergraduate students and an additional 167 graduate students. The first-year undergraduate class represents 22 states, approximately 65% of its members live on campus, and its average high school GPA is 3.55.

Marywood also achieved significant gains in several additional U.S. News categories:

· #18 in Best Colleges for Veterans, an 11-place improvement from last year;

· #20 in Best Value Schools;

· #30 among Top Private Universities; and

· #93 among Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Marywood’s rise to # 18 in Best Colleges for Veterans places the University among the top 20 Regional Universities North for academic quality and its financial and institutional support of military-connected students. Marywood has consistently ranked among the top 30 institutions in this category. At #20 in Best Value Schools, Marywood remains the highest-ranked four-year private university in Northeastern Pennsylvania included in the category. The ranking recognizes institutions that combine strong academic quality with affordability for students receiving need-based financial aid. U.S. News considers only institutions ranked in or near the top half of their overall categories for Best Value recognition.

Additionally, in the Top Performers on Social Mobility category, Marywood ranked # 93 and was the only Northeastern Pennsylvania university to place in the top 100. This ranking recognizes institutions that successfully enroll and graduate students receiving federal Pell Grants while also considering graduate earnings and borrower debt.

Marywood University will hold two undergraduate open house events and one graduate open house this fall for prospective students.

Prospective undergraduate students can attend the October Open House on Saturday, October 24, or the November Open House, on Saturday, November 14. Both events will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Registration for each undergraduate open house begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Fireplace Lounge at the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus, and the last campus tour departs at 1:45 p.m. A complimentary continental breakfast and lunch are included in the fall open houses for undergraduates.

During open house events, students will learn about the undergraduate admissions process, visit the academic department of their choice, and tour Marywood’s campus. There will also be opportunities to connect with faculty from other departments to explore minors and additional educational opportunities, and prospective student-athletes can meet with coaches.

For prospective graduate students, an Open House is scheduled for Tuesday, October 27, from 6-7:30 p.m. During the event, students will learn about the graduate admissions process and affordability options and receive valuable information about their program of interest during individual faculty meetings. An optional campus tour will be offered beginning at 4:45 p.m. The early evening event also will feature light refreshments with Marywood admissions staff and alumni.

For more information and to register for Marywood University’s fall open houses, visit marywood.edu/visitopenhouse or call Marywood’s admissions office at (570) 348-6234.