CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College has been named one of the top institutions in the Midwest in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings.
“We are honored to once again be recognized by U.S. News & World Report, particularly in the areas of Best Value and Social Mobility,” said Culver-Stockton College President Dr. Lauren Schellenberger. “These rankings affirm our deep commitment to providing an accessible, high-impact education. Our focus on experiential learning ensures that students graduate with the practical skills and knowledge necessary to launch successful careers and lead meaningful lives.”
In the 2026 rankings for Regional Colleges in the Midwest, Culver-Stockton ranked No. 9 for Best Value, No. 8 (tied) for Top Performers on Social Mobility, and No. 28 (tied) overall.
About the Rankings
The Top Performers on Social Mobility ranking measures how successful colleges are at enrolling and graduating large proportions of economically disadvantaged students. U.S. News & World Report evaluates this based on students awarded federal Pell Grants, the majority of which go to those with adjusted gross family incomes under $50,000.
The Best Value ranking is calculated by considering a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid. According to U.S. News, the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the value. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included in the Best Value list.
U.S. News & World Report evaluates institutions on multiple criteria, including graduation and retention rates, social mobility, faculty resources, financial resources, student excellence, and alumni giving.
Contact the Marketing & Public Relations Office, at pr@culver.edu or 573-288-6000 ext. 6728 for more information.
NOTE: A number that appears immediately after a person’s name (i.e. Jane Doe ’18) is a reference to the year that person earned their bachelor’s degree from Culver-Stockton.