The latest national rankings from five major publications place Linfield University among the nation’s best. Linfield recently earned recognition from Washington Monthly, Money, Forbes, Niche and The Princeton Review. This includes claiming the No. 1 spot in Oregon for value by Niche, as well as being the top-ranked liberal arts college in Oregon for outcomes, earning and service by Washington Monthly.
Linfield rose in Washington Monthly’s “2025 Best Liberal Arts Colleges Ranking,” moving from No. 69 in 2024 to No. 55 in 2025 in the national rankings. Looking at liberal arts colleges in Oregon, Linfield had the highest median earnings nine years after entering college. The outcomes measure, of which Linfield ranked top in the state, combines graduation rates, early-career incomes and graduates who go on to earn doctorates. Linfield also led Oregon in service — which looks at voter participation, service-orientated majors and graduates who enter AmeriCorps/Peace Corps, among other factors. In fact, Linfield was ranked as the No. 11 liberal arts college in the nation in service.
“These rankings confirm what we see every day on our campuses — that the Linfield experience offers students an extraordinary education and unmatched value,” said Mark Blegen, Linfield University president. “From small class sizes and faculty mentorship to hands-on learning opportunities, Linfield equips students to succeed — and thrive — in their careers and communities.”
Washington Monthly is not the only publication noticing Linfield this fall.
In Money magazine’s 2025 rankings, Linfield tied for No. 1 in Oregon with an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars. The score highlights Linfield’s strong return on investment for students and families. This is the third year in a row that Linfield has earned this high rating. Money’s annual rating looks at quality of education (30%), affordability (40%) and outcomes (30%).
Forbes named Linfield one of America’s Top Colleges and placed it in the top 100 institutions in the West. Linfield also earned inclusion on The Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Colleges in the West list. Together, these distinctions confirm Linfield’s reputation as one of the region’s premier universities.
In addition to being named the No. 1 Best Value College in Oregon, other Niche rankings were:
- Top 75 in the U.S. for college athletics (No. 75)
- No. 2 Best College Athletics in Oregon (behind the University of Oregon)
- Top 100 in the U.S. among liberal arts colleges (No. 95)
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America (No. 106)
Linfield’s strong national performance reflects its commitment to affordability, outcomes and preparing graduates for meaningful lives and careers.
Earlier this year, Carnegie named Linfield University a “Opportunity College and University,” earning the “higher access, higher earnings” distinction. Linfield was the only Oregon institution of its kind to be recognized for delivering real results for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Linfield blends the personalized experience of a liberal arts college with the resources of a comprehensive university. With campuses in McMinnville and Portland, the university offers academic excellence, experiential learning and personalized student support.
For more information about Linfield University and its latest rankings, visit linfield.edu/rankings.
