Rankings

U.S. News & World Report

UNC Asheville has earned a top-10 ranking from U.S. News & World Report in its annual Best Colleges roundup, coming in at #8 for Top Public Schools in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category. In recognition of its focus on access and academic and co-curricular opportunities, the University also received high marks in the Social Mobility category, landing at #60 in the nation. Additionally, UNC Asheville earned spots on the Best Colleges lists for Business, Computer Science, and Engineering programs. – U.S. News & World Report’s “2023 Best Colleges” (September 2022)

The Princeton Review

UNC Asheville is featured in The Princeton Review’s 2023 edition of The Best 388 Colleges, and made the Top 50 “Guide to Green Colleges” list for 2023. Schools in the Top 50 list were recognized for superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus.

The University ranked #6 in the Review’s new “Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation” list, #9 in the “LGBTQ-Friendly” list, and #15 in the “College City Get High Marks” list, among others.

“Since 1992, when we debuted our multiple ranking lists as an alternative to a single academics-only mega list, our mission has been to give students a more useful resource to find the best college for them,” said Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review. “Our selection of the colleges in this book is based on our opinion of their academic offerings. We recommend each one as an academically outstanding choice for an applicant. Our ranking lists, however, are not based on our opinions of the colleges. They’re entirely based on what the schools’ own students have told us about their experiences at them.”

The Princeton Review’s new “Green Matters” list is based on student ratings of administration and student support for environmental awareness and conservation efforts. UNC Asheville is also featured on the Green Colleges list, and Best Southeastern Colleges list, which are unranked. The full list of rankings includes:

#6 Green Matters: Everyone Cares About Conservation
#9 LGBTQ-Friendly
#15 College City Get High Marks
#17 Town-Gown Relations are Great
#22 Most Politically Active Students
#25 Best Quality of Life

The Fiske Guide to Colleges

UNC Asheville is featured in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, a publication highlighting more than 300 of the “best and most interesting” colleges in the U.S., Canada, and UK – The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2023 Edition (July 2022)

College Raptor

UNC Asheville is featured in College Raptor’s 2023 rankings as a Hidden Gem College in the Southeast, and as one of 25 Hidden Gem Colleges for the Middle Class, based on affordability. It is also the only public university in North Carolina to rank as a Hidden Gem College in the Southeast. The ranking is designed to bring attention to colleges with fewer than 7,000 students that might “fly under the radar,” but are notable for their academic, financial and social qualities.

Best Small College Town

Asheville can add ‘Best Small College Town’ to its running list of accolades. According to a 2022 ranking, the home of UNC Asheville landed at #9 on a list of the 50 best ‘small’ college areas to live and study in the U.S. UNC Asheville’s picturesque campus, nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains, earned this Top-10 distinction not only in recognition of its natural surroundings but also its close proximity to a bustling downtown that boasts a vibrant arts scene.

Bee Campus USA

UNC Asheville has been a certified Bee Campus USA since 2016 and was the eighth educational institution in the nation to be recognized. The Bee Campus USA designation recognizes educational campuses that commit to a set of practices that support pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds, and bats, among thousands of other species.

Arbor Day Foundation

UNC Asheville has been designated as a Tree Campus USA since 2018 by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Campus USA program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation.

Bicycle Friendly University

The League of American Bicyclists has awarded a 2022 Bronze-level award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe and accessible bicycling on campus. The team’s report highlighted the Campus Recreation Bike Shop’s ongoing offerings and efforts, which include bike rentals and repairs, and teaching bike maintenance skills. The shop, located in UNC Asheville’s Highsmith Student Union, offers educational events about the environmental benefits of biking, bike maintenance, and group bike rides.