AU ranks among top in the nation for best colleges

Augusta University was recently ranked among the top institutions in the nation in a number of categories, including jumping 36 spots on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list. The jump moves AU into the top 20% in the nation, one of the most improved rankings in the country.

AU was also ranked in the top 11% for best colleges for value and top 18% overall for best colleges among public and private institutions, according to the 2025 Best Colleges report by Niche, a rankings and review site.

AU ranks No. 2 in the state of Georgia for best colleges for value, among the top five in the state in seven categories, in the top 25% nationwide in 12 categories.

“Being recognized as one of the country’s best universities in multiple categories is a testament to the strength of our academic programs, our outstanding faculty and staff and our incredible students,” said Russell T. Keen, president of Augusta University. “AU is Georgia’s preeminent public health sciences and medical research university, and we are committed to providing our students with a personalized learning and discovery environment that combines critical and creative thinking with real-word experiences and community engagement.”

AU’s national rankings in major categories include:

• Top 11% for best value colleges and for best professors
• Top 18% overall for public and private universities
• Top 24% for best academics

AU’s academic programs have also made a splash in the national rankings, including:

• Top 9% for information technology
• Top 14% for for biology
• Top 16% for kinesiology and for physical therapy
• Top 21% for criminal justice
• Top 22% for public policy
• Top 25% for history

In addition to the rankings by U.S. News and Niche, AU’s Doctor of Education program is ranked No. 5 in the state of Georgia for most affordable EdD programs in 2024-25 by EdDPrograms.org.

“Our faculty and academic leadership are committed to meeting the needs of our students, community, state and beyond. It is very satisfying to see this hard work acknowledged nationally,” said Jennifer C. Sullivan, PhD, interim executive vice president for academic affairs and provost and dean of The Graduate School. “I am proud to part of the AU community.”