UNA ROTC members cross Harrison Plaza with the American Flag.

UNA Climbs in U.S. News & World Report for Fourth Year, Achieves Highest Rankings to Date

Sep. 12, 2022



Michelle R. Eubanks , UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256.765.4392

FLORENCE, AL – The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report are out, and the University of North Alabama has achieved its highest rankings to date, climbing in three key categories, including Top Public Schools in the South, Most Innovative Schools, and Best Colleges for Veterans.

“The rankings from U.S. News & World Report are an indicator that the University of North Alabama arc is in clear ascent,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “We take pride in our innovative academic programs throughout each of our colleges, and we know that we provide a place where learners at all stages in their academic careers can excel and grow.”

The University of North Alabama official rankings are:

  • 9th in Top Public Schools in the South, ranked 13th in 2022;
  • 8th in Most Innovative Schools, Regional Universities South, unranked in 2022;
  • 8th in Best Colleges for Veterans, Regional Universities South, ranked 11th in 2022; and
  • 25th in Top Regional Universities South, ranked 27th in 2022.

“These Top 10 rankings reflect UNA’s positive trajectory, innovation, and momentum as an institution,” said Dr. Ross Alexander, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Most importantly, these rankings evince the quality of our academic programs and the resonance of our brand among all types of students locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with helpful data and information on factors such as graduation rates, social mobility, and graduate indebtedness. 

“For nearly 40 years, the Best Colleges methodology has continuously evolved to reflect changes in the higher education landscape and the interests of prospective students,” said Kim Castrol editor and chief content officer at U.S. News. “Guiding that evolution is U.S. News’ mission of providing useful data and information to help with one of life’s biggest decisions.”

Prospective students can see how UNA compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.

About The University of North Alabama 

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the

Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics

program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I’s ASUN Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of 

race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/.   

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders, and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and their communities. A multifaceted digital media company with, Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, Real Estate, News, and 360 Reviews platforms, U.S. News provides rankings, independent reporting, data journalism, consumer advise, and U.S. News Live agents. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C.