Reviewed by: Pat Byington
Samford University earns 3 national top-10 rankings from The Wall Street Journal
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Our very own Samford University earned three top-10 rankings from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) in its 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. report.
Keep reading to see the honors.
2026 Best Colleges in the U.S.
According to a release from Samford, the WSJ/College Pulse 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings evaluate undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to students. Criteria include:
- Learning environments
- Years required to pay off the net price
- Degree completion rates
- Diversity
- Likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation.
Samford’s rankings:
- #3 career preparation
- #5 most recommended
- #7 student learning opportunities
Results stem from data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau, along with a survey of undergraduate students and recent alumni.
Fun fact: Samford was the only university in Alabama to achieve any top-10 rankings from The Wall Street Journal!
How Samford sets students up for success
Beginning freshman year, students are equipped with resources to explore interests and career aspirations through many areas, including:
- Student organizations
- Global engagement opportunities
- Counseling services
- Individual career preparation
“Cultivating character and preparing students for their professional careers are at the heart of Samford’s mission. These rankings affirm the quality of our faculty engagement, a nurturing academic culture and a world-class learning environment––all factors that make the Samford experience so enriching.”
President Beck Taylor, Samford University
As a Samford graduate myself, I can attest to the attention faculty members give to each student. Go Bulldogs!
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