U.S. News & World Report: Carson-Newman one of South’s “Best Values”

Carson-Newman University is one of the South’s “Best Values” according to U.S. News and World Report. Released today, the 2027 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges ranks Carson-Newman No. 20 among all public and private universities in the Regional South category.

“We are certainly pleased to have our value touted in this latest U.S. News ranking,” said Carson-Newman President Charles A. Fowler. “As a University we are committed to making college affordable for families. But even beyond cost, we take very seriously what our students receive in return. We fully believe that a quality education based on the liberal arts and grounded in the Christian faith is the best model in helping students discover God’s plan for their lives. A Carson-Newman education is an investment – with a lifetime of returns. As we celebrate our 175^th anniversary, we are convinced now more than ever that preparing servant-leaders to impact their world for Christ is this University’s calling.”

The 2027 Best Value Schools rankings assess both private schools and public schools on their academic quality, total costs and typical expenses for students with need.A school’s final rank is determined by a weighted score derived from these four indicators:

• Academic quality (50% weight)

• Percentage of students receiving aid (20%)

• Grant and scholarship aid (20%)

• Average discount (10%)

In the Overall Rankings, Regional Universities, South category, Carson-Newman was cited in the Top 20 among all private universities and the Top 50 among all private and public universities.

“Higher education is an investment in a student’s future, and we’re proud to recognize the institutions that continue to raise the bar for academic excellence,” said Dr. LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News. “The Best Colleges rankings celebrate schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student success, providing prospective families with a roadmap to discover high-performing institutions that align with their specific academic, career and personal goals.”

Today’s news comes on the heels of Texas-based organization Colleges of Distinction naming Carson-Newman a “College of Distinction” as well as a “Christian College of Distinction” for 2026-2027.