What the US News Top Public Schools EOU Recognition Means for Students
LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University (EOU) has been named No. 34 among Top Public Schools in the West in the latest US News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges rankings.
In addition to its ranking among Top Public Schools, EOU was also recognized as No. 53 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, and No. 68 in Regional Universities West. The Social Mobility ranking identifies institutions that excel at educating economically disadvantaged students through degree completion and upward economic mobility, and the Regional Universities ranking reflects EOU’s overall quality, student resources, and regional impact.
“As Oregon’s Rural Public University, our mission is to serve Oregonians and students regardless of their location, extending high-quality educational opportunities far beyond our immediate region,” said EOU President Kelly A. Ryan. “Being recognized among the top public schools validates the dedicated work of our faculty and staff who show up every day to ensure our students thrive, graduate, and succeed.”
The well-known national publication evaluates and ranks more than 1,700 colleges and universities each year using up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate success. Student outcomes account for the largest share of each score, focusing on graduation rates, first-year retention, and results of students who receive Pell Grants. US News combines data from school surveys with federal statistics, and a senior academic official at each school must certify the data.
The rankings underscore a period of strategic progress for EOU. Guided by its Ascent 2029 Strategic Blueprint, EOU is actively expanding student access, elevating academic quality, and serving as an educational, economic, and cultural engine for rural communities. These efforts have yielded gains in overall student enrollment, increased retention rates, expanded online access, and service to the region.
To see EOU’s US News Ranking, visit usnews.com/best-colleges/eastern-oregon-university, or learn more about Eastern Oregon University reporting at eou.edu/insitutional-research.
