Rhodes College rose four spots in U.S. News & World Report’s recently released 2026 Best Colleges rankings, to No. 55 for National Liberal Arts Colleges. The annual rankings evaluate four-year bachelor's degree-granting institutions across the nation.
Rhodes also achieved top 50 recognition in several other key rankings areas. In the National Liberal Arts categories, Rhodes is No. 15 for Service Learning, No. 28 for Most Innovative Schools, and No. 33 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. In addition, Rhodes ranked No. 53 for Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects, and No. 74 in Best Value Schools.
Using a wide range of data sources, U.S. News & World Report provides various types of numerical rankings and lists to help students and families narrow their college search.
At Rhodes, faculty encourage students to become perceptive thinkers, creative problem solvers, and lifelong learners. Faculty actively mentor students, involving them in research and creative activity, guiding them in fellowships and internships, and helping them explore professional and academic projects. Students learn to formulate and articulate big ideas and contribute to critical discussions in the classroom. Students also apply knowledge learned in the classroom into the community, with more than 80 percent engaging in community service.
Rhodes enrolled 1,780 students for Fall 2025, including 509 first-year students that represent 37 states and 27 countries. More than 19 percent of first-year students are from Memphis and Shelby County, and 28 percent are from Tennessee.