Santa Clara University continued moving upwards in the latest US News & World Report collegiate rankings, released Sept. 22. Ascending four spots to No. 55 nationally, the University sealed a place in the top 15% of all U.S. institutions.

This rank-rise continues a four spot increase streak up from No. 59 last year and No. 63 the year prior.

Along with the national ranking, the University secured an unprecedented jump of 27 spots to No. 93 in best value schools—a ranking determined by the ratio of academic quality to net cost, along with need-based aid and long term return-on-investment in relation to cost.

U.S. News and World Report was not the only publication to bump Santa Clara University up in rank over the past year. In August, TIME magazine ranked the University at No. 29 nationally and No. 2 among the nation’s 27 Jesuit universities on its “America’s Best Colleges 2026-27” list, based on similar metrics.

Jeanne Rosenberger, the vice provost of student life at the University, found the rank increase a reflection of the University’s efforts to properly incubate students.

“I think that we have this mindset that’s very forward-looking,” said Rosenberger, “I think as the world is changing around us, we try to be a little more agile. I think we’re attracting students who come to us with different experiences—life and education—and different expectations to keep us on our toes. They come in and absorb their education in a way to make them world ready after they leave here.”

TIME drew conclusions on rank mainly through three factors—student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness.

Student outcomes considers value-added earnings—or how much more graduates from a university earn compared to the statistically predicted amount based on student intake—as well as degree completion rates. Santa Clara University holds a 90% six-year grad rate, which outperforms the national average of 62%.

U.S. News and TIME both consider the weight of student outcomes, with their rank scores combining graduation rates, retention rates, social mobility and post-graduate earnings.

Notably for Santa Clara University, TIME’s methodology on learning environment considers a small student-to-faculty ratio a positive, arguing, “A lower ratio indicates that each faculty member is responsible for fewer students, which is generally associated with greater opportunity for direct interaction, individualized instruction and academic mentorship.” The University maintains an 11:1 faculty-to-student ratio, lending to its appeal within the learning environment metrics.

Finally, TIME incorporates student demand to assess attractiveness. This score is given through noting the “selectivity gap,” or the difference between a school’s competitive admission rates and the percentage of accepted students who chose to enroll.

U.S. News also ranked the University No. 19 in undergraduate teaching. Rosenberger credited faculty for their commitment to students.

“Our faculty are deeply committed to relevancy in what they’re teaching and helping,” said Rosenberger. “We talk a lot about what brings you joy? What are you good at? What does the world need? And for us, we focus on the idea of vocation and education.”

For Santa Clara University students, especially those close to graduation, the jump in rankings is taken as a positive indicator of the value of their degree.

“As a senior entering the job market, I feel this higher national profile could give my degree extra weight with recruiters or alumni networks,” said Paul Salceda ‘27, a computer science and engineering major.

Both Salceda and Rosenberger felt the University’s sense of community contributed strongly to its success, finding examples of student involvement and the University’s Jesuit mission.

“Our campus EMT program started with two students close to 30 years ago,” said Rosenberger. “They thought to start one as students were getting injured playing intramurals. And now, I couldn’t imagine not having such a program. And this came from two students who were very passionate and worked with the University to start the program and then sustain the program. It arose from students helping other students.”

“It grants the right morals,” said Salceda about the University’s mission. “Jesuits focus on cura personalis. You can form someone’s intellect and they could just go on and not use it wisely or morally. But if you also invest in a bunch of cura-personalis-centered things in a person’s foundation, they won’t just make a big impact but a good one as well.”