UAlbany Listed Among Best National Universities in 2023 Washington Monthly Rankings

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 7, 2023) – The University at Albany continues to serve as a powerful engine of opportunity, according to Washington Monthly, which has released its new 2023 “College Guide and Rankings.”  

UAlbany was once again ranked within the top 15 percent (No. 61) of Washington Monthly’s top 442 public and private universities, up one spot from last year and the highest among SUNY campuses.  

Washington Monthly has consistently ranked UAlbany in its top tier of national universities, which are classified based on their contribution to public good. Four-year schools (national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges, and master’s universities) are ranked in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and providing opportunities for public service.  

UAlbany was also listed this year as a top university in the Northeast for delivering the “Best Bang for the Buck,” which ranks institutions according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. 

“As one of the most diverse public research institutions in the nation, UAlbany is committed to serving as a powerful engine of opportunity for all students, regardless of background or social status,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “This continued recognition from Washington Monthly is further proof that our University is creating life-changing opportunities, especially for those who are first-generation college students or come to us from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.” 

The new Washington Monthly recognition adds to UAlbany’s growing reputation as a national leader in social and economic mobility and educational equity.   

U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 “Best College Rankings” recognized UAlbany as a top performer in social mobility, at No. 38 nationally and within the top 10 percent of all ranked institutions.    

The annual ranking measures how well universities enroll and graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants, typically awarded to students whose family incomes fall below a certain threshold. UAlbany has consistently ranked among U.S. News’ top performers in social mobility since the ranking began in 2019.    

In addition to being hailed for the economic mobility of its students, UAlbany has also been lauded by the Education Trust as a leader in advancing racial equity among the nation’s 101 most selective public higher education institutions – and a national model for Latina/o and Black student success.    

The Class of 2027 is one of the most diverse in University history with about 54 percent of approximately 2,865 first-year students this fall coming from historically underrepresented groups. Among the Class of 2023 undergraduates who received degrees in May, 30 percent were first-generation college students.