Awards and Recognition
Judson University has been recognized year after year for our high quality of academics, community, athletics, and commitment to serving Christ.
Christian College of Distinction
Colleges of Distinction
Since 2015, Judson has been listed as Christian College of Distinction by the website and e-guidebook CollegesofDistinction.com. The distinction is defined as an institution recognized nationally by education professionals for being an excellent school with a strong focus on teaching undergraduates and providing innovative learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth. Since that time, Judson has also been recognized for its Business and Education Programs.
Military Friendly School
Victoria Media/G.I. Jobs Magazine
Judson remains listed as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine for military personnel transitioning to civilian life. The Military Friendly School designation is extended to the nation’s top colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace military students and to dedicate resources to ensure their success.
Best Christian Colleges and Universities
CollegeConsensus.com
The College Consensus ranking of the Best Christian Colleges combines the published rankings of a wide selection of trusted media outlets, with the more trustworthy student review sites, to determine the overall most highly regarded explicitly Christian schools. For Christian students who find that education in a Christian setting fits their needs, the College Consensus Best Christian Colleges ranking gives direction and focus to a search that could range near and far.
NAIA Champions of Character
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
Judson has been a Five-Star Silver Institution since 2018.
The Champions of Character program helps participants find the balance by keeping five core values – integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership – at the heart of the athletics experience. Its mission is to provide training to instill the values that build character so students, coaches and parents know, do and value the right thing on and off the field.
Other Distinctions
distinct academic program recognition
top 20:
Human Services Degree
TheBestSchools.org
Best of:
Worship Leader’s Magazine
Worship Leader magazine selected Judson University as an Editor’s Pick in the Colleges/Universities category of its “Best of” issue for 2015 and 2016.
Top 5:
Master’s in Ministry
TheBestSchools.org
Regional Best
Universities in the Midwest
U.S. News and World Report, Best Colleges Survey
(2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Top Tier
Midwest Best Universities
U.S. News and World Report, Best Colleges Survey (2005-2016). Judson University was listed #80 overall in the Best Regional Universities Midwest and #69 in “Top Performers on Social Mobility” in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges 2021” rankings.
Top 50:
Most Beautiful US Christian Colleges and Universities
In 2017, ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org awarded Judson the distinction of being one of the 50 “Most Beautiful Christian Colleges and Universities.”
Top 50:
Mission-Minded Christian Colleges and Universities
In 2017, ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org also awarded Judson the distinction of being one of the 50 “Top Mission Minded Christian Colleges and Universities.”
Top 3:
10 Safest College Campuses in America
Universities.com ranked Judson University as No. 3 in their 2022 listing of the 10 Safest College Campus in America. The site stated that Judson’s initiatives “create a culture of crime prevention and safety for the entire Judson campus community.”
Safest Colleges
State of Illinois
BackgroundChecks.org, a site devoted to public safety, listed Judson as No. 17 out of 49 schools on 2016 Safest Colleges in Illinois ranking. The site reports that the honor is a result of college administration, faculty, students and police working together to create a safe atmosphere that fosters academic success.
Recognitions
Wall Street Journal/ Times Higher Education
College Rankings
Judson is among the 1,061 schools featured in a new student outcome and teaching-focused ranking by the Wall Street Journal and the Times Higher Education (WSJ/THE). The ranking is based on strong scores for environment, resources, engagement and outcomes.
Us News & World Report
Best Colleges Survey
Judson University ranked No. 72 among the 650 “Best Regional” universities and ranked No. 17 in “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” in the latest U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges survey for 2020. Among the many factors in determining the rankings include graduation and retention rates, student-to-teacher ratios, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.
Business Insider
Smartest Colleges in America
Based on average standardized test schools, Judson University ranked among the 610 “Smartest Colleges in America” by Business Insider in 2015. Its actual rank was 537.
OnlineColleges.net
Most Affordable Online Colleges in Illinois
In 2015, onlinecolleges.net listed Judson University as one of 22 most affordable colleges in the state. The rankings were based on schools that offer degree programs online and that have the lowest annual tuition costs for a full-time, in-state student.
Community for Accredited Online Schools
Top 50: Illinois’ Best Online Schools
In 2017, the Community for Accredited Online Schools listed Judson University as one of 50 Illinois Schools Identified for Providing Top Quality Online Student Resources. The rankings were based on more than a dozen unique data points that include graduation rates, total online program offerings and financial aid availability.
Women’s Choice awards
America’s Best Colleges and Universities
Judson University was listed among the 2016 Women’s Choice Awards for America’s Best Colleges and Universities based on the criteria of a four-year graduation rate, student to faculty ratio, reputation, educational depth and campus safety. Judson ranked No. 279 out of 1,585 schools.
Ready to Learn More?
Visit our Admissions Page for your program of interest to learn more about admissions requirements, request more info, sign up to visit campus, or apply to Judson.