Clark Atlanta University has been ranked No. 16 among the 2026 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and No. 52 Top Performers on Social Mobility - National Universities, by U.S. News & World Report. The 2026 edition of the U.S. News Best Colleges rankings evaluates more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities, using up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success.

"We are immensely proud to witness Clark Atlanta University ascend to No. 16 among HBCUs and attain the No. 52 ranking in social mobility, tied with Princeton University, which ranks as the No. 1 Best National University," said President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D., Clark Atlanta University. "This distinguished recognition underscores the vital importance of social mobility in our mission, highlighting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation. We empower our scholars to reach their fullest potential on a global stage. As we continue to shatter barriers and create transformative opportunities, we remain resolute in cultivating an environment where every scholar can flourish."

U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America's colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information on the institutions and data on factors such as graduation rates, graduate indebtedness, and post-graduate earnings.

"U.S. News' Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process," said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. "With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education."

Prospective students can see how Clark Atlanta University compares to other institutions and how the rankings are calculated on USNews.com.