The College climbs to No. 34 for Best Value and No. 85 among National Liberal Arts Colleges

Randolph-Macon College continued its rapid rise in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings this year, making significant gains in measures of quality, value, and student mobility, and earning new recognition for its Engineering program.

RMC rose 34 places to #34 among Best Value Schools in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, one of the most substantial increases on the list and one of the College’s most significant gains in history. Randolph-Macon also climbed 11 places to #85 (tied) among National Liberal Arts Colleges overall, building on last year’s move into the national top 100.

The College’s gains are some of the most significant on the 2027 edition lists. The increase places RMC as the #2 overall Best Value in the National Liberal Arts category in Virginia, as well as the #3 private college in Virginia on the National Liberal Arts overall list. 

The College also advanced to #108 for Social Mobility and #81 among Private National Liberal Arts Colleges.

“These results reflect the tremendous momentum at Randolph-Macon and, more importantly, the strength of the education our students receive here,” said Randolph-Macon President Michael E. Hill. “We are ambitious about what Randolph-Macon can become, but that ambition starts with what has always distinguished this College: talented faculty who know and challenge their students, a community deeply invested in their success, and an education that prepares student’s minds and character.”

These gains quantify indicators that reflect the long-term economic value of an RMC degree. They reflect an approach at Randolph-Macon that combines the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education with intentional preparation for life after college. Through intentional and connected advising, mentorship, hands-on learning, and internships, students develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences to get an EDGE in a rapidly changing world.

Engineering Earns U.S. News Recognition

This year also marks a new milestone for Randolph-Macon’s ABET-accredited Engineering program, which earned a place in the U.S. News rankings of undergraduate engineering programs for the first time.

RMC’s Engineering program is a shining example of how the College melds the demands of a rigorous pre-professional program with the ethos of a small liberal arts college. Students gain hands-on experience in design, laboratory work, and problem-solving while developing the communication, teamwork, and critical-thinking skills sought by employers and graduate programs.

The recognition comes as Engineering continues to grow at Randolph-Macon, with the program welcoming its largest incoming class this fall.

Momentum Across the College

The U.S. News results add to a period of sustained momentum for Randolph-Macon. The College has maintained total enrollment of more than 1,800 students following several years of strong recruitment, while the academic profile of its incoming students continues to rise. The College has recently opened its Center for Student Success, and begun another athletics season in which its teams are ranked at the top of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and even nationwide.

Randolph-Macon recently got high marks from The Princeton Review on its yearly lists, including a top 25 placement in Best Career Services, Most Engaged in Community Service, Best-Run Colleges, Great Financial Aid, and Best Town-Gown Relations. RMC was also recently named a 2026-2027 College of Distinction, with recognition for the College’s commitment to engaged students, great teaching, a vibrant community and successful outcomes.

Together, the recognitions point to a Randolph-Macon that is growing stronger while remaining focused on the qualities that have long defined its education.

“Rankings are only one measure of an institution, but these results affirm something we see every day,” Hill said. “Randolph-Macon is a college experiencing ascendency. We are building on nearly two centuries of excellence while thinking boldly about the students we serve, the education they need, and the institution we want to be as we approach our bicentennial.”