Daemen University is the only private institution in Western New York to be named among The Wall Street Journal / College Pulse Rankings of the 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. The University at Buffalo was also included.
The rankings feature the top 584 institutions in the nation, placing those institutions on the list among the top 20% of four-year colleges and universities in the country.
“This ranking is yet another example of Daemen’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence,” said President Gary A. Olson. “Our rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty and staff, and supportive community ensure all students feel inspired and empowered to achieve their personal and professional goals.”
The Wall Street Journal developed and executed the survey in collaboration with research partners College Pulse and Statista, ranking universities based on student outcomes (70%), including graduation rates and salary returns, learning environments (20%), and diversity (10%).
Daemen has been included in The Wall Street Journal’s ratings since 2017.