Longwood University has again been ranked as one of the top regional public universities in the South and one of the region’s best values, according to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings released today.
For the last decade, Longwood has consistently ranked among the leading academic institutions offering undergraduate and master’s programs in the region according to the U.S. News rankings, used by millions of families to make decisions about higher education. This year, Longwood was ranked No. 13 among public schools in the South region, the 14th consecutive year the university has been ranked in the top-15. Longwood ranked No. 26 among all regional universities in that category, both public and private. Longwood also moved up two spots on the 2027 Best Value Schools in the South list, coming in at No. 28.
Longwood is also ranked in two new categories added this year—Best Value Schools for In-State Students, ranking No. 23 among Regional Universities (South), and Best Colleges for Veterans, ranking No. 11 in the region.
Longwood continues to make significant investments in the things that matter most to students and families—from small classes taught by dedicated full-time faculty and strong mentorship and support, to career readiness and hands-on learning opportunities that help students grow personally and professionally.
President W. Taylor Reveley IV
“Rankings are one way to recognize the strengths that define a university, but the real measure of our success is the experience our students have here,” said President W. Taylor Reveley IV. “Longwood continues to make significant investments in the things that matter most to students and families—from small classes taught by dedicated full-time faculty and strong mentorship and support, to career readiness and hands-on learning opportunities that help students grow personally and professionally. These investments are part of what makes a Longwood education distinctive, and they are reflected in the best undergraduate experience in Virginia our students have every day.”
Longwood also fared well in newly-released 2027 Niche College Rankings, which are based on academic, admissions, financial and student life data, as well as reviews from students and alumni. Among Virginia colleges and universities, Longwood made the top 10 in three categories: No. 7 for Best Value Colleges, No. 9 for Best Colleges for Education and No. 10 for Colleges with the Best Professors.
More than two-thirds of Longwood classes have 20 or fewer students, the highest percentage of any Virginia public college or university. Longwood also has the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time, tenure-track faculty among Virginia’s public universities.
Longwood’s highly competitive nursing program climbed to No. 243 on the 2027 U.S. News national list of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs, providing further evidence that it is among the top programs in the state and across the country. The program is ranked #2 in Virginia by RegisteredNursing.org, which noted Longwood’s exceptional 99.32 percent average NCLEX pass rate, and continues to be ranked in the Top 10 Best BSN Programs in the Southeast by NursingProcess.org. This year Longwood nursing graduates once again achieved a 100 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate, extending a remarkable five-year streak.
Longwood’s MBA program has also garnered national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. Earlier this year, the university ranked No. 169 nationally in Best Online MBA Programs and No. 85 nationally in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans. The rankings placed Longwood’s online MBA program sixth among those in Virginia.
Longwood’s Online MBA program has also been named one of the “Best MBA Programs for Your Money” by Money magazine and appeared on the Best Online MBA Programs in the U.S. for 2026 list compiled by Poets&Quants.
We are proud to have among the very lowest average tuition increases among all Virginia public universities over the last 10 years. That continues to be our commitment to students and their families.
President W. Taylor Reveley IV
“I’m particularly proud of all of our best value rankings, including a top-25 spot on the new Best Value Schools for In-State Students,” Reveley said. “A commitment to keeping higher education affordable animates our daily work, and we are proud to have among the very lowest average tuition increases among all Virginia public universities over the last 10 years. That continues to be our commitment to students and their families.”