Shenandoah Top-Tier
Shenandoah Leads and Ranks
Among the Nation’s Best
An array of recent rankings, across disciplines, reveal something that we at Shenandoah University already know – Shenandoah is a powerhouse.
We’re not about to slow down. Keep up with us.
Shenandoah Programs Receive Top Rankings
U.S. News & World Report
#2 Private National University in Virginia
Shenandoah ranked second in Virginia as a Private National University by U.S. News & World Report for 2027.
#1 Pharmacy Program
Shenandoah’s School of Pharmacy ranked tops among private colleges in Virginia according to rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Physician Assistant Studies Program
Shenandoah’s Physician Assistant Studies program ranked tops in Virginia and 21st in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Physical Therapy Program
Shenandoah’s Physical Therapy program is first among private colleges in Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report.
#1 Nurse-Midwifery Program
Shenandoah’s Nurse-Midwifery program is first in Virginia and 32nd nationwide by U.S. News & World Report.
#2 Occupational Therapy Program
Shenandoah’s Occupational Therapy program is ranked second among private colleges in Virginia, by U.S. News & World Report for 2026.
#2 B.S. in Nursing
Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing ranked second among private colleges in Virginia, according to U.S. News & World Report for 2027.
Understanding The Methodology
Among the metrics used by U.S. News & Report for their college rankings are graduation rates, first-year retention rates, graduation rate performance, Pell graduation rates, Pell graduation performance, first-generation graduation rates, first-generation graduation rate performance, college grads earning more than a high school grad, borrower debt, peer assessment, financial resources per student, faculty salaries, full-time faculty, student-faculty ratio, standardized tests, citations per publication, field-weighted citation impact, publication share in the Top 5% of journals by CiteScore, publication share in the Top 25% of journals by CiteScore.
For more information about U.S. News & World Report ratings calculations as updated for 2027, visit their ratings calculations page.
Other Rankings
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music programs are ranked first in Virginia and 37th in the nation by Niche.com for 2027.
I LOVE their conservatory and their amazing music program. It is a private school, so when it comes to music, they will definitely give you that one-on-one experience.”
– From reviews on Niche.com
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Dance program ranks number one in Virginia and is among the 25 best dance programs nationally according to collegeraptor.com.
I was first drawn to Shenandoah’s program because of the versatility. You didn’t have to choose an emphasis like ballet or just jazz or just modern. It was a triple emphasis.”
– Aubrey Lawrence ’15
Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at a private university in Virginia is #1, according to RNCareers.org.
Nursing has challenged me to change the way I think about daily tasks and I have become passionate about helping people in any way I can.”
– Mackenzie Dierberg ’23
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Musical Theatre program earned the top spot in Virginia and was ranked 15th in nation from collegeraptor.com.
You’ll learn from some of the nation’s best teachers and industry professionals, including several Broadway veterans, in Shenandoah Conservatory’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre program.”
– from collegeraptor.com
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music Therapy bachelor’s program is the nation’s best as ranked by collegeraptor.com.
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music Education bachelor’s program is tops in Virgnia as ranked by collegeraptor.com.
Shenandoah’s Public Health program is tops in Virginia for a public university as rated by Niche.com for 2027.
Public health was something I did not know about when I came to SU, but after taking one class and loving the course content I knew it was something I wanted to major in!”
– Mackenzie “Mac” Watkins ’26
Shenandoah’s Exercise Science program is ranked first in Virginia and 25th in the U.S. as rated by collegeraptor.com.
Progress over perfection is a motto I have created to remind myself and others that a step in the right direction is extremely rewarding. My major has allowed me to live out this motto and help people return to a healthy state of living.”
– Caitlyn Sweet ’24
Shenandoah School of Business Sport Management program ranks second in Virginia among private universities in 2027 from Niche.com.
My favorite part of my major is learning about the different aspects of the sports world that I could only dream of. Also, all of the sport management and business professors have been of great help in my journey.”
– Aymar Bisseck ’24
Shenandoah’s Film Production program earned the number 2 spot in Virginia from collegeraptor.com
My favorite part of my program is having hands-on experience working with bigger films and creating my own as well. I appreciate the people and the wide range of opportunities to connect and the events in the working world. ”
– Kendrick Robinson ’25
Shenandoah’s Physical Therapy program is third in Virginia as rated by Niche.com for 2027.
The physical therapy program at Shenandoah University fosters a supportive learning environment that challenges students and molds us into top-tier clinicians. We are not a number, and we have the opportunity to form strong relationships with peers and faculty.”
– Natalie Nichols ’24
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Performing Arts Programs ranked third in Virginia as rated by Niche.com for 2027.
Programs are available within:
Understanding the Methodology
The Citizens college planning platform, College Raptor® is a FREE online platform that provides tools, tips, and advice to help college-bound students throughout their entire college planning journey and beyond.
- Learn about federal aid and calculate student loans when you need to fund the gap.
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- Search through thousands of scholarships to help pay for college.
- Research careers and majors.
Visit collegeraptor.com for more information.
Understanding The Methodology
Each year, Niche updates its rankings methodology to better reflect what students and families care about when choosing a college. This year’s changes are the most significant we’ve made in years, including new grades, factors, and factor weight changes — and they were all built around a core principle: improvement, not disruption.”
Read the full rankings methods at Niche.com
Colleges of Distinction
Shenandoah University is a 2026-27 College of Distinction, with additional recognitions in the areas of Business, Education, Nursing, Career Development, Equity & Inclusion, and Military Support.
Shenandoah’s Criminology & Criminal Justice program ranked in the top three programs among Virginia colleges by collegeraptor.com.
If you are willing to serve your community, consider studying criminal justice and using your degree to pursue a career in law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and everything in between.
– Corbin Cooke ’26
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music Therapy is in the top 10 of programs nationwide as ranked by universities.com.
Understanding The Methodology
The Best Colleges for Music ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares the top music schools and performing arts colleges in the U.S.”
Shenandoah’s cybersecurity programs ranks among the top 10 bachelor’s programs in Virginia as rated by collegeraptor.com. Programs include:
Niche. com ranked Shenandoah University in the Top 10 Colleges in Virginia for:
Shenandoah’s Business Administration program ranks among the top 10 bachelor’s programs in Virginia according to collegeraptor.com.
What has surprised me most is that, even though our school is small, it offers a better experience than studying at a larger institution. Shenandoah’s business faculty creates an exceptional learning environment, along with student-teacher relationships that are hard to find elsewhere.”
– Emily Dendis ’26
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Theatre Design & Production programs rank among the top 10 in the nation.
Concentrations include:
Shenandoah University is one of Virginia’s Top 3 colleges for women, according to Newsweek’s 2026 rankings.
Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions in a young woman’s life. It’s about more than academics—it’s about finding a place to thrive, to lead and to build the foundation for a successful future. The college experience should empower every student to reach their full potential, and for women, that means attending an institution that prioritizes leadership opportunities, equitable pay practices, campus safety and meaningful pathways to success.”
Understanding The Methodology
This comprehensive ranking evaluates U.S. colleges across four critical categories: leadership, pay and policies, safety and opportunity. Our methodology draws on federally reported data, providing a new dimension of insight that complements existing college rankings.
– from newsweek.com
Shenandoah made the list of OnlineU.com’s 2026 Best Pharmacy Degrees Online.
(SU’s) programs are tailored to students who are beginning their pharmacy careers or licensed pharmacists who want to advance their expertise.”
Gold-Level Campus
Shenandoah was recognized by Exercise is Medicine as a Gold campus in 2025 for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
Understanding The Methodology
Programs such as the Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC ) Month Challenge, Vital Signs Assessment and Referral, and SUFiT training all helped Shenandoah earn Gold-level designation. Shenandoah also earned EIM’s COVID Conqueror badge, a new honor given to campuses that demonstrated creative adaptations to physical activity programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shenandoah’s Nontraditional Doctor Of Pharmacy Online Program is ranked 4th in the nation by CollegeAffordabilityGuide.org.
Understanding The Methodology
We look at the fundamentals first: not-for-profit status, at least 500 total students, Associate or higher degrees, and at least one non-standard way for students to earn college credits, such as AP or ROTC credit. We also require that at least 20% of students be Pell Grant recipients.”
Read more at collegeaffordabilityguide.org
Shenandoah’s online Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program is ranked #5 in Intelligent.com’s list of the nation’s best online programs for a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Understanding The Methodology
Our list features the best online Physical Therapy degree programs at top colleges nationwide. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, reputation, and the student resources provided for online students. We collected data from trusted sources like the National Center for Education Statistics, individual school and program websites, school admissions counselors, and other data sources. Then, we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100 based on the following criterion:
Academic Quality:
- Admission rate versus enrollment rate
- Retention rate of students who return after year one
- Accreditation status (regional and programmatic)
- Nonprofit status, both private and public institutions
Graduation Rate
- Overall graduation rate
- Total number of currently enrolled students, including diversity metrics
- Student-to-faculty ratio
Cost and ROI
- In-state and out-of-state per-credit tuition rates and fees
- Required credits to graduate
- Earning potential after graduation
- Availability of federal student loans, scholarships, and other financial aid options
Student Resources
- Available student services for online-only and hybrid programs
- On-campus amenities like tutoring centers and the number of libraries
Read more about our ranking methodology.
Shenandoah Conservatory’s Music Production & Recording Technology ranks among the top 20 in the nation as rated by collegeraptor.com.
Shenandoah’s Virtual Reality programs ranked in the top 20 programs nationwide as rated by collegeraptor.com.
Shenandoah University’s Master of Music Therapy program is one of the Top 25 in the United States in 2026, according to the Masters in Special Education Program Guide online.