For the fourth straight year, Arizona Christian University has been ranked among the nation’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report – the most respected and comprehensive college ranking system in the nation – and this year ACU was selected as the No. 1 undergraduate teaching institution in the West!

ACU achieved its highest-ever overall ranking at No. 14, up from No. 22 a year ago. And for the first time, ACU’s commitment to student services and affordability were also recognized with a No. 3 “Social Mobility” ranking and a No. 9 “Best Value” ranking in the West region.

“We are very excited to be recognized as the No. 1 Best College in the West when it comes to undergraduate teaching,” said President Len Munsil. “This is a tribute to the excellence and dedication of our amazing faculty, and a recognition of our institutional commitment to the success of our students.

“Our Provost, Dr. Steve Adamson, our Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ed Clavell, our associate deans Dr. Carolyn Pela and Dr. Linnea Lyding, along with all of our full-time and adjunct faculty share in this amazing achievement.”

ACU was also thankful to be recognized for the first time as a “Best Value” college. According to federal “true cost calculator” data, ACU is the most affordable Christian university in Arizona.

“Our ranking this year as the No. 3 Top Performer on Social Mobility is particularly gratifying as well,” Munsil said. “This reflects our ability to successfully educate students who come from more challenging economic circumstances. This achievement is a credit to our faculty, Student Development team, and Enrollment Management Specialists who work so hard to ensure we provide outstanding academic, social, and spiritual support services to our students.”

The West Region includes colleges and universities from 15 Western states, including California, Texas, Oklahoma, Washington and Oregon. Schools were ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence including student-faculty ratio, graduation rates, financial resources per student, among others.

“Our students are getting one of the best educations in the country – one that combines academic excellence with a commitment to spiritual formation,” said President Munsil. “We are grateful the world is noticing what God is doing at ACU!”