U.S. News Again Names Mercy University Among The Best Schools For Social Mobility In Latest Rankings

DOBBS FERRY, NY — Mercy University has once again earned national attention for its ability to help students improve their circumstances and their futures.

Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry was been ranked among the nation’s top performers for social mobility in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges rankings. Mercy said the ranking places it in the top 16 percent of colleges nationally and as the top-ranked private liberal arts college in the New York metropolitan area.

The university said this is its first year being ranked among national universities by U.S. News. In that category, Mercy placed 68th out of 420 institutions nationwide for social mobility, which U.S. News measures by the graduation rates of students receiving federal Pell Grants. Mercy tied with Harvard University, Kean University, Monmouth University and the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Previously classified among regional universities in the North, Mercy has been ranked as a top performer on social mobility for six consecutive years. The 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings were based on the evaluation of more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.

“This national recognition validates our unwavering commitment to providing accessible, transformative education that empowers students from all backgrounds to achieve their full potential,” Mercy President Susan Parish said. “Social mobility is at the heart of Mercy's mission, and this ranking reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and entire university community to opening doors of opportunity.”

Mercy describes itself as the largest private minority-serving institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the region. The university said it serves a diverse student population and that many of its graduates are the first in their families to attend college. Mercy also said it maintains one of the lowest tuition rates among private, four-year colleges in the region.

“Higher education is an investment in a student’s future, and we’re proud to recognize the institutions that continue to raise the bar for academic excellence," U.S. News Managing Editor LaMont Jones explained. “The Best Colleges rankings celebrate schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student success, providing prospective families with a roadmap to discover high-performing institutions that align with their specific academic, career and personal goals.”

The university was founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy and offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs within six schools in the Hudson Valley.