Niagara University has once again been recognized as the No. 1 Best Value Regional University in New York state by U.S. News & World Report, earning the top spot for the fourth consecutive year.
The recognition is part of the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, released this week. Niagara also ranked No. 2 among 67 institutions in the Regional Universities (North) category for Best Value.
The Best Value ranking considers both academic quality and the net cost of attendance for students receiving need-based financial aid. According to U.S. News, institutions receive higher scores when they combine strong academic standards with significant grant and scholarship aid to help offset costs.
For Niagara, the latest recognition comes alongside several other rankings from U.S. News. The university placed No. 10 for Best Colleges for Veterans, improving from No. 11 the previous year, No. 21 among Top Private Schools in the region, and No. 32 overall among Best Regional Universities (North).
“Being recognized for a fourth straight year as the best university in New York for delivering an outstanding return on a student’s investment validates our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, student outcomes, and affordability,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University.
The Best Value ranking also takes student outcomes into account. Niagara exceeded its predicted six-year graduation rate by five percentage points based on the profiles of its incoming students.
The recognition reflects Niagara’s continued focus on providing students with a high-quality education while keeping affordability and student success at the center of the university experience.
