Clark Atlanta University Advances to 16th Among HBCUs and Ties with Princeton University for Social Mobility Excellence in National Universities Rankings.
ATLANTA, Sept. 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clark Atlanta University has been ranked No. 16 among the 2026 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and No. 52 Top Performers on Social Mobility – National Universities, by U.S. News & World Report. The 2026 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.
“We are immensely proud to witness Clark Atlanta University ascend to No. 16 among HBCUs and attain the No. 52 ranking in social mobility, tied with Princeton University, which ranks as the No. 1 Best National University,” said President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University. “This distinguished recognition underscores the vital importance of social mobility in our mission, highlighting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation. We empower our scholars to reach their fullest potential on a global stage. As we continue to shatter barriers and create transformative opportunities, we remain resolute in cultivating an environment where every scholar can flourish.”
U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information on the institutions and data on factors such as graduation rates, graduate indebtedness, and post-graduate earnings.
“U.S. News’ Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education.”
Prospective students can see how Clark Atlanta University compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.
About Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that comprise the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. CAU offers a wide range of bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs in business, education, public administration, and social work and in innovative fields such as cyber-physical systems.
Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, poet, and songwriter of Lift Every Voice and Sing “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; and Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.
About U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.
SOURCE Clark Atlanta University
