Smithfield, RI — Bryant University continues its ascent in higher education rankings, earning recognition as the 6th best college in the Northeast in U.S. News & World Report’s annual “2025 Best Colleges” list. Additionally, U.S. News named Bryant the 16th most innovative school and the 3rd best college for veterans in the region.
The U.S. News rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities on academic quality, social mobility, and outcomes for graduating college students. The September 24 announcement follows a series of recent accolades from The Wall Street Journal, The Princeton Review, and Forbes, marking a period of achievement for the institution in recognition of its growth to date, and well into the future.
"Bryant’s rising rankings and recognitions reflect the commitment of our outstanding faculty and staff, the strength and innovation of our academic programs, and the culture of caring on campus," says Bryant President Ross Gittell, Ph.D.
Strategic innovation
Bryant University's inclusion in the U.S. News “Most Innovative Schools” ranking highlights the institution’s forward-thinking approach to education, integrating business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences. This recognition reflects Bryant’s strategic advancements in academic programming, including the introduction of a new general education curriculum inspired by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. At the heart of this is the Impact Core, a program designed to foster social impact by emphasizing experiential learning on a global scale. Through this initiative, undergraduate students are encouraged to apply classroom knowledge to real-world, international challenges.
Students experience this real-world-ready approach from the start of their higher education journey at Bryant. As they select their integrated major/minor combination, undergraduates build upon a foundation in design thinking. Each January, first-year students participate in the Innovation and Design Experience for All (IDEA), a three-day bootcamp in problem-solving, design thinking, and teamwork where students collaborate to solve problems in a range of sectors, from the arts to healthcare to business.
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“Our focus on innovation, collaboration, and experiential learning positions Bryant to provide an education that is not only relevant, but transformative," said Bryant Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. “With deep expertise and strong industry connections, our faculty prepare students to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex world and to lead effectively in the global marketplace.”
Bryant’s Vision 2030 Strategic Plan — which positions the university as a national leader for transformative educational experiences and exceptional student outcomes — offers a roadmap for more innovation and growth. Now in the execution phase, Vision 2030 also encompasses Bryant’s Campus Master Plan, a broad-scope development strategy with major infrastructure projects in academic, residential, athletics, and student life facilities across campus.
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The centerpiece of this plan is Bryant’s new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center (BELC), a state-of-the-art, 250,000-square-foot academic and co-curricular hub designed to foster creative thinking, innovation, and leadership across disciplines. The BELC, home to Bryant’s College of Business, features high-tech labs, institutes, and centers, all built with industry collaboration and real-world applications in mind.
RELATED ARTICLE: On day 1 at the BELC, students step into Bryant’s cutting-edge future
Commitment to vets, service members
Bryant’s position as the 3rd best college for veterans in the Northeast is another highlight of the 2025 U.S. News rankings. Since its inception, the university has been committed to supporting veterans and active-duty service members. In addition to the U.S. News ranking, Bryant has also been named a 2024/2025 Military-Friendly School in the “gold” category, the top designation for institutions that surpass retention, graduation, and job placement thresholds nationally. A proud Yellow Ribbon university, Bryant also partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial aid to military-affiliated students and their families.
A rise in the rankings
Earlier this month, The Wall Street Journal, in collaboration with College Pulse and Statista, placed Bryant among the top 5 percent of higher education institutions in the United States. The result of a comprehensive analysis, the rankings are based on a combination of student and alumni feedback and outcome metrics, including earning potential, student debt levels, and cost of attendance. According to an internal analysis, 99 percent of Bryant’s Class of 2023 secured jobs or graduate school placements within six months post-Commencement. The median starting salary for the Class of 2023 is $72,500 per year, the highest on record.
The Princeton Review also named Bryant one of the best schools in the Northeast in its annual guidebook, The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition, and highlighted the university’s commitment to sustainability by naming it a top "Green" school in the nation. The annual guidebook selects just 15 percent of U.S. colleges and universities based on comprehensive data from surveys of thousands of higher education administrators and students.
Additionally, the institution achieved Top 25 national rankings in The Princeton Review in three student life categories: Most Active Student Government (12); Best College Library (20); and Students Love Their School Teams (24). The top 25 rankings are determined through surveys of 165,000 students across all participating schools on academics, financial aid, amenities, career services, and campus culture.
Forbes further bolstered Bryant’s national profile by featuring the university in its 2025 “America’s Top Colleges” list, acknowledging Bryant’s academic programs, strong return on investment, and commitment to student success.
As Bryant continues to garner recognition for its innovative programming, student-centered approach, and dedication to academic excellence, it is well-positioned to build on its success. With the ongoing implementation of its Vision 2030 Strategic Plan and the opening of the Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center, the university is set to further enhance its standing as a national leader in higher education.
About Bryant University
For more than 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering a transformational education that anticipates the future and delivers top outcomes that result in passionate, purpose-driving leaders. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 38 states and 49 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, College Factual, and Barron’s.
The Vision 2030 Strategic Plan sets an exciting trajectory for Bryant University, an institution committed to transformational learning experiences, exceptional outcomes, and developing passionate, purpose-driven leaders. Vision 2030 priorities include an ecosystem of academic excellence, vibrant student life, community and belonging, and economic mobility for all.
