Rankings & Fit
Why Sewanee Stands Out
Sewanee is consistently recognized among the nation’s top national liberal arts colleges—and for good reason. Our academic excellence, tight-knit community, and commitment to student success set us apart. Consistently ranked as one of the top five liberal arts colleges in the South, Sewanee combines rigorous academics with an inspiring environment on the Cumberland Plateau, giving students a college experience that’s both transformative and empowering.
What Rankings Mean for You
Rankings are one way of recognizing Sewanee’s commitment to quality. Our small student-to-faculty ratio ensures that you’re not just a face in the crowd, and our curriculum is built to inspire curiosity and critical thinking. With the backing of one of the nation’s top-ranked alumni networks, Sewanee students know they’re joining a community that supports them long after graduation.
A place for the bold and curious
While no ranking can fully capture the spirit of Sewanee, the results are a testament to our vision and values. We invite you to explore what makes Sewanee unique, and to see for yourself how we continue to lead in providing an educational experience that’s both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition. Connect with an admission counselor to learn more and schedule a campus visit.
Highlights of popular rankings
U.S. News & World Report | Methodology
- Sewanee is ranked #45 among national liberal arts colleges
Sewanee was also on the separate lists of “Top Performers on Social Mobility” and “Best Value Schools.” The social mobility ranking measures how well institutions graduate Pell Grant recipients.
Princeton Review | Methodology
In August, the Princeton Review named Sewanee one of the Best 391 Colleges for 2025. Earlier, in June, Sewanee was recognized as one of the nation's best colleges for students seeking a great education with excellent career preparation and at a relatively affordable price.
Sewanee also earned a #12 ranking on The Princeton Review list of Top 20 Best Alumni Networks (Private Schools) between #11 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and #13 Wellesley College.
Sewanee is also a fixture on The Princeton Review’s Most Beautiful Campus list. This year, the University’s 13,000 acre Domain is ranked #1.
Forbes “America’s Top Colleges”
- Sewanee is ranked #41 in the South and #180 on “Top Colleges” list.
The methodology Forbes used in 2025 to create its list of the best colleges in the country is a blend of career outcomes and student success metrics like graduation rate and retention.
Other Rankings
- Outside Magazine’s new ranking of “Best Bike Towns in America” puts Sewanee in the Top 10 nationwide. The magazine names the Perimeter Trail, local road-cycling routes, and the Mountain Goat Trail as reasons for Sewanee’s high showing, along with low-traffic streets and bike access. “The community has the languid pace of a tiny southern mountain town, which, frankly, is ideal for someone riding around.”
- New analysis from College Transitions places Sewanee in the Top 10 of all colleges and universities nationwide in the percentage of graduates who attend law school. “This data hints at a secret weapon in the liberal arts arsenal—perhaps the emphasis on critical thinking, writing, and interdisciplinary study gives these students an edge in law school applications.”
- The Course at Sewanee ranked #2 in Golfweek's latest ranking of public access courses in Tennessee and #10 in its 2023 list of the Greatest College Golf Courses in America. (Golfweek)
- America's Best Small Arts & Culture Town is in Tennessee (Travel + Leisure)
