University remains among top public institutions in the North while expanding academic programs and student support
SUNY Fredonia is ranked No. 24 among the top public universities in the North in the 2027 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” rankings, moving up one position from last year.
The university is also ranked No. 85 among public and private institutions in the “Regional Universities North” category. The category includes universities that offer a broad range of undergraduate programs and select master’s degrees. U.S. News also recognizes Fredonia nationally in its “Top Performers on Social Mobility” category.
“Fredonia is focused on the work that matters most: offering strong academic programs, providing meaningful experiential learning opportunities, and creating a campus where every student knows they belong,” President Stephen H. Kolison Jr. said. “Our rise among public universities and continued national recognition for social mobility reflect that commitment of our faculty and staff and the determination of our students.”
“Our rise among public universities and continued national recognition for social mobility reflect that commitment of our faculty and staff and the determination of our students.” - President Stephen H. Kolison Jr.
Fredonia has maintained a longstanding place among the top public universities in the North. The U.S. News region includes institutions in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Affordability remains central to Fredonia’s public mission. The university offers approximately $10 million in merit- and need-based scholarships to new and returning students each year. Ninety-seven percent of first-year students receive financial aid, and 94 percent receive a grant or scholarship.
“Cost is one of the most important considerations for students and families as they make their college decision,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Services Kathryn Kendall. “We work individually with students to help them understand the actual cost of attending Fredonia and the grants, scholarships and other assistance available to them. Our goal is to make a high-quality Fredonia education financially attainable and give students the support they need to continue through graduation.”
The university also continues to invest in academic programs that respond to student interests and workforce needs. Enrollment in Fredonia’s graduate programs has increased by 50 percent over the past five years, reflecting growing interest in advanced study and professional preparation.
Those academic investments include the new Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Studies, launched this fall through the School of Music. The flexible, interdisciplinary program does not require an audition or performance component and allows students to connect the study of music with areas such as business, communications, history, digital media, and the arts. Music Studies is part of Fredonia’s broader effort to strengthen programs that respond to student interests, career opportunities, and enrollment trends.
The U.S. News “Top Performers on Social Mobility” category considers how well institutions enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants. That work is supported by Fredonia’s Advancing Completion through Engagement, or ACE, Program, which provides students with individualized advising, academic support, career development and financial resources designed to remove barriers to completing a degree.
ACE began at Fredonia with 34 students in Spring 2024 and now serves 250 students. The program reported a 90 percent retention rate from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025, and more than 60 percent of participating students have grade point averages above 3.0. Its first cohort of graduates earned degrees in May.
The annual U.S. News rankings evaluate colleges and universities using measures that include graduation and retention rates, social mobility, faculty resources, financial resources and student outcomes.
