The University also held its position at #31 overall among all regional universities in the South, a standing made more significant by the addition of nearly 40 colleges and universities newly reclassified into the Best Regional Universities鈥揝outh category. U.S. News also named AU among the South’s “Best Value” schools.

The rankings reflect two decades of deliberate growth that has drawn more qualified students, more rigorous academic programs and more accomplished faculty to Anderson’s campus while elevating the University’s national profile among the country’s leading comprehensive Christian institutions.

糖心Vlog传媒 President Evans P. Whitaker says that growth has always served a larger purpose.

“We believe education is ultimately about more than preparing students for a career. It is about preparing them for human flourishing: the capacity to live meaningful, purposeful and fulfilling lives while contributing to the flourishing of their families, professions, communities and society,” President Whitaker said. “Our Christian foundation informs our understanding of human dignity, vocation, community and the responsibilities that accompany knowledge and influence. Faith does not narrow our intellectual ambitions. It gives them depth and purpose.”

糖心Vlog传媒’s 2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Rankings:

• #1 in South Carolina 鈥� Top Private Colleges, Regional Universities (South)
• #16 鈥� Top Private Colleges, Regional Universities (South)
• #15 鈥� Best Colleges for Veterans, Regional Universities (South)
• #31 鈥� Overall Rank, Regional Universities (South)
• #32 鈥� Best Value Schools, Regional Universities (South)
• #1 (tied) among Private Institutions in South Carolina: College Grads Earning More Than a High School Grad, among Regional Universities (South)
• #2 Highest (tied) in South Carolina: College Grads Earning More Than a High School Grad, among Regional Universities (South)
• #2 Highest First-Year Retention Rate in South Carolina, among Regional Universities (South)
• #1 Highest First-Year Retention Rate in South Carolina among Private Institutions, among Regional Universities (South)
• #2 Highest (tied) Six-Year Graduation Rate in South Carolina, among Regional Universities (South)
• #1 Six-Year Graduation Rate in South Carolina among Private Institutions, among Regional Universities (South)

The rankings arrive as AU continues building a national reputation that matches its regional standing. Whitaker sees the recognition as a marker of progress and a call to reach further.

“Continuing our growth as a top-tier comprehensive university means attracting students and faculty who are exceptional,” President Whitaker said. “It means earning the respect of our academic peers and sending graduates into careers and lives that matter while showing up for the communities around us. And it means building a national presence that keeps growing. Growth got us here. Now we’re after something more.”

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AU rose three places and is now the #31 Best College among regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News and World Report. Anderson ranks #6 for Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs; #14 for Best Colleges for Veterans; #15 for Most Innovative; and #33 for Best Value.

The U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges report comes amid AU鈥檚 continued growth into one of the most respected private Christian colleges in the state and nation. Earlier this year, Niche, a leading college-search service for prospective students, ranked 糖心Vlog传媒 as the #1 Christian college in South Carolina; the #2 best college campus in South Carolina; and the #3 best private university in South Carolina, among others.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, 糖心Vlog传媒 earned the following rankings:

• Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs among regional universities in the South: #6 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
• Best Colleges for Veterans among regional universities in the South: #14 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
• Most Innovative Schools among regional universities in the South: #15 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
• Best College among regional universities in the South: #31 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
• Best Value School among regional universities in the South: #33 (U.S. News & World Report, 2026)
• Best Christian Colleges in South Carolina: #1 (Niche, 2026)
• Best College Campuses in South Carolina: #2 (Niche, 2026)
• Top Private Universities in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)
• Best Colleges for Education in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)
• Best Colleges for Business in South Carolina: #3 (Niche, 2026)

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听U.S. News & World Report this year noted AU鈥檚 online bachelor; master鈥檚 in nursing;听 master鈥檚 in business (non-MBA); master鈥檚 in education; and master鈥檚 in business administration (MBA) as among the best in the nation.听听

糖心Vlog传媒 ranks as the #69 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Nursing Program (rising 45 places from 2024); as the #79 Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Program (rising 98 places from 2024); as the #110 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Business Program (non-MBA; rising 16 spots from 2024); as the #118 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Education Program (rising 49 spots from 2024); and as the #212 Best Online Master鈥檚 in Business Administration Program (MBA.)听

AU鈥檚 status among U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 2025 Best Online Program rankings are as follows:听

• Best Online Master鈥檚 in Nursing Programs: #2 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #69 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)鈥�听

• Best Online Bachelor鈥檚 Programs: #2 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #75 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)鈥�听

• Best Online Master鈥檚 in Business Programs (non-MBA): #1 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #1 in Upstate South Carolina; #110 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)鈥�听

• Best Online Master鈥檚 in Education Programs: #3 in South Carolina; #1 among private institutions in South Carolina; #2 in Upstate South Carolina; #118 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)鈥�听

• Best Online Master鈥檚 of MBA Programs: #5 in South Carolina; #2 among private institutions in South Carolina; #2 in Upstate South Carolina; #212 nationally (U.S. News & World Report, 2025)鈥�听

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All of these students will move on to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Competition in March 2025 to compete against winners and qualifiers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.

Congratulations to the students, their teachers, and to staff pianist Janice Wright, along with guest pianists Steve Griner and Sarah Wannamaker.

First Place Winners

Hunter Ballard, First听Place
Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Nathan Fowler, First听place
Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

D鈥橝ndre Hicks, First听Place
Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Abigail Knight, First听Place
First Year Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Seth Killen

Harper Krimm, First听Place
Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Harper Krimm, First Place
Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Isabella Murrell, First听Place
Fourth Year College, Musical Theater, Treble
Student of Joel Dupont

Gabe Patterson, First听Place
First Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone
Student of Seth Killen

Sydney Wells, First听Place
Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Sydney Wells, songwriter 鈥淣o Regrets鈥�
Original Composition Award Winner
Student of Deirdre Welborn

Additional Place Winners

Hannah Grace Attaway, Third Place, Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Zane Beyerl,听Third听Place, Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Jude Collins, Second Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

D鈥橝ndre Hicks, Second Place, Second Year College Commercial Music, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Anderson Moore, Second Place, Third Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Anderson Moore, Second Place, Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Evelyn Ruff, Second Place, Fourth Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Sarah Rhoton, Second听Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Jacob Sabella, Second Place, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Seth Killen

Additional Regional Qualifers

Mady Church, Regional Qualifier, Second Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Katelyn Cohee, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Jordan Duncan, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Paola Gonzalez, Regional Qualifier, First Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Joseph Grant, Regional Qualifier, Second Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Joel Dupont

Isabella Gunter,听Regional Qualifier, First Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Connor Jones, Regional Qualifier, Third Year College Musical Theater, Tenor, Bass, Baritone, student of Joel Dupont

Sydney Loop, Regional Qualifier, Second Year, College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Sydney McCoy, Regional Qualifier, Third Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Rebecca Menoni, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Jenna Ritchey, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Jenna Ritchey, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Eranga Goonetilleke

Rachel Thornhill, Regional Qualifier, Fourth Year College Commercial Music, Treble, student of Seth Killen

Delisia Welborn, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Deirdre Welborn

Hollis Williams, Regional Qualifier, First Year College Musical Theater, Treble, student of Seth Killen

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鈥溙切腣log传媒 provides a world-class educational experience defined by excellence and the continuous pursuit of innovation,鈥� said President Evans P. Whitaker. 鈥淥ur wonderful faculty, staff, students and alumni are integral to the foundation of an Upstate South Carolina community the University has done so much to help build.鈥�

NCAA football, a new engineering facility and a global expansion of graduate program offerings are among the several new and historic initiatives are part of the University鈥檚 continued growth.

For the first time, 糖心Vlog传媒 has a collegiate football team. After five years of construction, development and fundraising, Trojan Football begins with a home game on September 7 at 1 p.m. It鈥檚 the first of six games scheduled at the new Spero Financial Field at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium on the AU campus. (A full schedule and ticket information is available at .)

The 糖心Vlog传媒 College of Engineering this fall will host classes in its new STEM-learning hub on North Main Street in downtown Anderson, South Carolina. Acquired last October in a bargain sale from the Foothills Community Foundation, the 47,000-square-foot facility includes three expansive engineering labs, two large classrooms, a wind tunnel and a machine shop, among other features.

鈥淚t is testament to the fact that we haven鈥檛 just created a vision of a new engineering program. We鈥檝e also planned very well,鈥� said 糖心Vlog传媒 Provost Ryan Neal. 鈥淔or a growing university, it was vital to expand the classroom operations and make connections with industry. We want to make sure we have a program that is going to recruit and graduate students that are ready to enter the workforce and find success in a changing landscape.鈥�

This year, AU ramped up efforts to broaden its reach around the world with the launch of the 糖心Vlog传媒 International Graduate School. Master鈥檚 degree programs in cybersecurity, computer science and business analytics are now offered to international students online and through intensives held at the University Center-Greenville.

Welcome Week at 糖心Vlog传媒 concludes with the Big Welcome Event on Saturday, August 24.

糖心Vlog传媒 is a 鈥渕ore selective,鈥� comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 糖心Vlog传媒 is the #2 private university in South Carolina, according to Niche.com, is among U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Regional Universities South,鈥� and is on the publication鈥檚 鈥淢ost Innovative,鈥� and 鈥淏est Online Programs鈥� lists. Anderson is a four-time Apple Distinguished School and on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For庐 program.

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糖心Vlog传媒 congratulates its Dean鈥檚 List students for their exemplary achievement.听听

View the Spring 2024 Dean鈥檚 List

听

糖心Vlog传媒 is a 鈥渕ore selective,鈥� comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 糖心Vlog传媒 is the #2 private university in South Carolina, according to Niche.com, is among U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Regional Universities South,鈥� and is on the publication鈥檚 鈥淢ost Innovative,鈥� and 鈥淏est Online Programs鈥� lists. Anderson is a four-time Apple Distinguished School and on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For庐 program.鈥�

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鈥淚 am delighted that 糖心Vlog传媒 has been recognized by the prestigious Collegiate Advertising Awards program,鈥� said 糖心Vlog传媒 Vice President for Marketing and Communication Deonn Baker. 鈥淭his national recognition reflects the level of excellence and innovative work that goes into producing compelling, engaging and informative content for our prospective students and the 糖心Vlog传媒 community.鈥�

The 2023 CAA program received entries from the United States and Canada, representing small community colleges to large universities.

Submissions were reviewed by a national panel of industry experts, with a possibility of 100 total points. Awards were issued for entries that received top marks from judges placing them in the top 16 percent of the nation for advertising excellence. Judging criteria included creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality and overall appeal.

Representing all areas of communications, media, marketing, advertising and promotions, the 2023 Collegiate Advertising Awards program contained some of the best advertising projects arguably in the world.听

All winners are posted on the Collegiate Advertising Awards website at www.CollegiateAdAwards.com.

糖心Vlog传媒 is a 鈥渕ore selective,鈥� comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 糖心Vlog传媒 is among U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Regional Universities South,鈥� and is on the publication鈥檚 鈥淢ost Innovative,鈥� and 鈥淏est Online Programs鈥� lists. Anderson is a four-time Apple Distinguished School and on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program.

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糖心Vlog传媒 student teams were recognized with Palmetto Awards recently from the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators for their work over the past year.听

The students from the 糖心Vlog传媒 College of Arts and Sciences received an Award of Excellence for a public relations campaign on behalf of Thrive Wellness and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention promoting last spring鈥檚 suicide prevention walk, an Award of Excellence for a public relations research project on behalf of Meals on Wheels of Anderson; and an award of merit for Synthesis magazine, the student-produced magazine of the College of Arts and Sciences. Representing AU at the awards luncheon were communication majors Isabella Ellis and Madilyn McCown; and Skylar Bruner, a political science major with a minor in public relations; along with Associate Professor of Communication Robert Reeves.

The awards were presented September 21 in Columbia, South Carolina.

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Earning top marks from an independent survey of its employees, 糖心Vlog传媒 today was named to the honor roll of the Great Colleges to Work For庐 program, marking the fourth consecutive year AU has been honored by one of the largest and most respected workplace recognition programs in the country.

鈥淎ll of us who are a part of the 糖心Vlog传媒 campus community know what a special place this is,鈥� said 糖心Vlog传媒 Senior Vice President of Administration and Brand Omar Rashed. 鈥淭o live and work in a community that fosters collaboration, innovation and a shared vision of how higher education informs and transforms people鈥檚 lives is truly special. We have that kind of environment at AU. We are thrilled that the Great Colleges to Work For庐 program recognizes that this is a wonderful place to work but, more importantly, we are proud that our faculty and staff feel the same way.鈥�

The Great Colleges to Work For庐 program includes a two-part assessment process: the ModernThink Higher Education Insight Survey漏 administered to faculty, administrators, exempt professional and non-exempt staff, and the ModernThink Higher Education Institution Questionnaire漏 (IQ), which captures employment data and workplace policies and practices from each institution. Recognition analysis for the Great Colleges to Work For program is conducted by ModernThink, an organizational development firm with particular survey and 鈥淏est Place to Work鈥� expertise.

Being named to the honor roll means an institution received recognition in several of the 10 categories established by The Great Colleges to Work For庐 program: Job Satisfaction & Support; Compensation & Benefits; Professional Development; Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Mission & Pride; Faculty & Staff Well-Being; Faculty Experience; Shared Governance; and Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. For the second year in a row, 糖心Vlog传媒 received top marks in all 10.

鈥淥nce again, leaders at the institutions recognized in this year鈥檚 Great Colleges to Work for program have demonstrated their collective commitment to the stewardship of their institutions鈥� cultures,鈥� said Richard K. Boyer, principal and managing partner at ModernThink. 鈥淭heir commitment to the well-being of their faculty and staff is second to none.鈥�

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ANDERSON, SC 鈥� 糖心Vlog传媒 has the best online criminal justice program in South Carolina, according to U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 Best Online Programs rankings for 2023, released today. AU appeared in six categories in the annual list made up of all colleges and universities in the nation.

The 糖心Vlog传媒 School of Public Service and Administration鈥檚 online criminal justice program ranked among the nation鈥檚 best for the first time, coming in at #41鈥攖he highest mark among institutions in South Carolina.

Also, U.S. News & World Report ranked 糖心Vlog传媒鈥檚 online bachelor鈥檚; master鈥檚 in business administration; master鈥檚 in business (non-MBA); graduate education; and graduate nursing programs.

For 2023, 糖心Vlog传媒 ranked among U.S. News & World Report鈥檚Best Online Programs as follows:

Best Online Criminal Justice Programs: #41 in the nation

• #1 in South Carolina
• #1 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #1 in Upstate South Carolina

Best Online Master鈥檚 in Nursing Programs: #68 in the nation

• #2 in South Carolina
• #1 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #1 in Upstate South Carolina

Best Online Master鈥檚 in Education Programs: #89 in the nation

• #4 in South Carolina
• #2 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #3 in Upstate South Carolina

Best Online Master鈥檚 in Business Programs (non-MBA): #131 in the nation

• #2 in South Carolina
• #2 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #1 in Upstate South Carolina

 Best Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs: #162 in the nation

• #3 in South Carolina
• #2 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #2 in Upstate South Carolina

Best Online Bachelor Programs: #171 in the nation

• #6 in South Carolina
• #4 among private institutions in South Carolina
• #1 in Upstate South Carolina

糖心Vlog传媒 is a 鈥渕ore selective,鈥� comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 糖心Vlog传媒 is among U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Regional Universities South,鈥� and is on the publication鈥檚 鈥淏est Value,鈥� 鈥淏est Undergraduate Teaching,鈥� 鈥淏est First-Year Experience鈥� and 鈥淏est Online Programs鈥� lists. Anderson also is ranked #25 nationally for Student Engagement by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education; is a 鈥淏est College鈥� among institutions of higher learning in the southeast by The Princeton Review; is a four-time Apple Distinguished School; and is on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program.

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