Blackburn Rises in Social Mobility, Earns Top Private Schools Recognition, and Again Ranks Highest Among Illinois’ Bachelor’s Colleges
Blackburn College earned national recognition in the latest college rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly, including a top-10 ranking for social mobility and a new distinction among private colleges in the Midwest.
In the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges guide, Blackburn rose to No. 8 among the Top Performers on Social Mobility, up from No. 10 last year. This category measures how effectively schools enroll and graduate low-income and underrepresented students, and Blackburn has been named as a top performer each year since the social mobility ranking was introduced.
The College earned a No. 21 ranking on the Best Value Schools list, which considers academic quality and affordability, and secured a place on the new Top Private Schools list. Blackburn once again was named among the best Regional Colleges in the Midwest.
“Social mobility goes to the very heart of Blackburn’s mission,” said Blackburn College President Larry K. Lee. “We believe a student’s financial circumstances should never define their potential or limit what they can achieve. For generations, Blackburn has opened doors for students who might not otherwise have had access to an exceptional college education. Our distinctive Work Program makes that education more affordable while giving students something equally valuable: the chance to build confidence, discover their abilities, and lay a foundation for success. We are not simply helping students earn a degree. We are helping them change the trajectory of their lives.”
Washington Monthly also recognized Blackburn in its 2026 College Guide. Blackburn is once again the highest-ranked bachelor’s college in Illinois within the publication’s Midwest rankings. Washington Monthly examines what colleges do for students and the public, measuring access, affordability, outcomes, and service. In 2025, the publication ranked Blackburn No. 1 among bachelor’s colleges in Illinois and No. 20 nationally.
“National rankings are an important recognition of our work, but the true measure of Blackburn is the difference we make in the lives of our students,” Lee said. “Here, students don’t just learn about leadership, responsibility, and problem-solving. They experience them every day. They work alongside faculty and staff, manage departments, lead their peers, and discover they can do far more than they imagined when they arrived. They leave Blackburn with more than a degree. They leave with an education, meaningful work experience, and the confidence to build successful lives and careers.”
Central to that experience is Blackburn’s Work Program. As one of the nation’s federally recognized Work Colleges and the only college in the country with a student-managed Work Program, Blackburn gives students a unique level of responsibility in the College’s day-to-day operations. Every resident student participates, building practical experience and leadership skills while also helping reduce the cost of their education.