U.S. News Names Mercy University Among The Best Schools For Social Mobility In 2025 Rankings

DOBBS FERRY, NY — Mercy University has earned national attention for its ability to help students improve their circumstances and their futures.

Mercy University has announced its recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a top performer on Social Mobility in the publication's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. This is the fifth consecutive year Mercy has earned the distinction.

The university said the honor simply underscores the school's ongoing commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all of its students.

"Being recognized once again as a national leader in social mobility — in the same year we celebrate our 75th anniversary — is especially meaningful," Mercy President Susan Parish said in a statement. "This recognition is a testament to Mercy University’s enduring mission of providing high-quality, affordable, and transformative education that changes lives."

Mercy ranked in the top 17 percent of schools in the northern region in the category of Social Mobility. The category weighs the graduation rates of students receiving federal Pell Grants.

Mercy has earned a spot in the Social Mobility category since it was first added to the Best College Rankings in 2019.

School officials said the distinction shows Mercy's commitment to ensure educational access and college completion for non-traditional students, including those who may be demographically underrepresented in higher education, demonstrate high financial need, or identify as first-generation college students.

In fact, Mercy prides itself on being the largest private minority-serving institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the region.

The university said its commitment to affordability, maintaining one of the lowest tuition rates among private, four-year colleges in the region helped earn the accolade. The school said that because of the commitment, each year, thousands of graduates, many the first in their families to attend college, go on to achieve personal and professional success.

The 2026 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.