La Sierra’s student Social Mobility ranks high with U.S. News, WSJ

The U.S News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, which published on September 23, listed La Sierra No. 3 out of 113 universities in 15 western states for Social Mobility. The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. guide, released September 29, listed La Sierra No. 35 for Social Mobility out of 584 universities ranked across the United States.

• U.S News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges - Regional Universities West - 118 schools
  No. 3 - Social Mobility (113 ranked)
  No. 18 - Best Value (44 ranked)
  No. 41 - Overall
• West Street Journal/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the Nation - 584 schools
  No. 35 - Social Mobility
  No. 56 - Student Experience
  No. 169 - Overall

“We are excited by this recognition of our efforts to help our students reach their full potential. They are our bright stars as yet unrealized, whom we strive to move beyond what they believe they can achieve and help them shine,” said La Sierra University President Christon Arthur. “It is in our DNA as a campus community and is central to our core values and ethos as a Christian university to serve those who need us the most. We work continually toward building equity and equality for all who become a part of our campus family. All are welcome at our table.”

“The current improvement in ranking is the result of intentional mentoring of our students, provided by faculty and professional staff.” – President Christon Arthur

In U.S. News category Regional Universities-West, La Sierra University moved up two places in the overall ranking of 118 schools to land at No. 41 where it tied with the University of North Texas, Dallas. La Sierra University also placed at No. 18 for Best Value out of 44 western schools ranked in that sector. In the Social Mobility ranking, La Sierra tied with California State University, Stanislaus for the No. 3 position.

The Wall Street Journal rankings, produced through a partnership with research organizations College Pulse and Statista, also showed La Sierra ranked at No. 56 for Student Experience, a survey-based measure of a student’s positive experience while attending. The university placed No. 169 overall out of the 584 universities and colleges ranked around the country. 

La Sierra was the only Adventist school to rank in the top 425 colleges and universities on the Wall Street Journal best colleges list. Only one other Seventh-day Adventist school made the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings.

Between 2017 and 2022, La Sierra placed No. 1 in the nation four times for the diversity of its campus through past iterations of the Wall Street Journal college rankings. In the U.S. News & World Report rankings, La Sierra University has experienced continued upward movement in Social Mobility as well as its overall placement in the regional west category.

“The current improvement in ranking is the result of intentional mentoring of our students, provided by faculty and professional staff,” Arthur said. “Mentorship and the willingness of our faculty and staff to walk alongside our students, providing direct, caring and personal support throughout their academic journey is a hallmark of the La Sierra experience.”

The U.S. News & World Report’s Regional Universities categories rank universities that offer a full range of undergraduate and master’s degree programs and some doctoral programs.

U.S. News 2026 guide uses up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. It integrates data supplied directly by schools with data from the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Treasury and Department of Commerce. 

The Wall Street Journal creates its rankings with research partners College Pulse and Statista. Using latest data available, the rankings analyze student outcomes such as salaries and graduation rates; the overall quality of the learning environment; diversity such as ethnic diversity, economic diversity and inclusion of students with disabilities; average net prices and value added to graduates' median salaries.

To discover more stories and testimonials from faculty, alumni and current students, please visit La Sierra University reviews.