National publication recognizes Linfield University for ongoing commitment to serving economically disadvantaged students
Announced Sept. 24, U.S. News & World Report ranked Linfield University the No. 1 liberal arts college in Oregon for social mobility. In the publication’s 2025 rankings, Linfield finished in the top spot in the state, and tied for No. 60 in the nation, on the “Top Performers in Social Mobility” list. It is the sixth consecutive year that Linfield was included in this list.
The social mobility ranking assesses how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students. U.S. News & World Report uses two graduation measures of students who were awarded Pell Grant to calculate this score. Last year, nearly 30% of Linfield’s undergraduate students were Pell Grant recipients.
“Year after year, Linfield continues to prove its value when it comes to graduates’ sharply increased earnings and opportunities,” said Scott Bernard Nelson, the university’s associate vice president. “We’re especially pleased to see that students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are able to change their lives so dramatically thanks to a Linfield education.”
Overall, Linfield tied for No. 108 in the nation’s top liberal arts colleges list. Now in its 40th year, the rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality. A special emphasis is placed on social mobility and outcomes for graduating college students.
Linfield was also recognized for the fourth consecutive year among the publication’s list of “Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs.” Linfield offers three different options for students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing – a two-year prelicensure program, an accelerated 12-month prelicensure program and a 12-month online RN to BSN program.
The U.S. News & World Report rankings come on the heels of several other national publications recognizing Linfield. Earlier this month, Washington Monthly named Linfield the No. 1 liberal arts college in Oregon for social mobility and graduate earnings. The publication also included Linfield on its 2024 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West. In addition, Linfield was listed among the Princeton Review’s 2025 Best Western Colleges list and Forbes’ 2024-25 America’s Top Colleges.
Prospective students and families can view Linfield’s U.S. News & World Report page at https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/linfield-university-3198/overall-rankings.
See additional information on Linfield’s ranking and accolades at linfield.edu/rankings.
About Linfield University
Linfield University is an independent, nonprofit university with campuses in McMinnville and Portland, Oregon, as well an eCampus for online learning. Since 1858, Linfield has connected a traditional liberal arts experience with practical education through 54 majors, including wine studies, sport management and nursing. Linfield also offers interdisciplinary master’s degrees in business, nursing and sports sciences. For five years running, U.S. News & World Report magazine has named Linfield one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation when it comes to social mobility. Thirty-eight percent of Linfield students are first-generation college students, and 38% are U.S. students of color. Linfield competes in the NCAA Division III Northwest Conference. Learn more at www.linfield.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.
