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Adelphi University continues to outrank other Long Island private universities on U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 National Universities rankings.
Awards, Rankings and Fast Facts
With roots that stretch back to the 1860s, Adelphi University has been transforming lives with our unique approach to learning for more than 150 years.
Throughout the decades, we’ve welcomed students from around the globe, expanded our academic offerings and geographic reach, and celebrated significant milestones in diversity, rankings, and successful outcomes.
Today, we’re thriving as one of the top universities in New York and Long Island and making a life-changing impact on students, the community and world.
National Recognition
Wonderful things are happening at Adelphi, and others are taking notice. We’re proud to be nationally recognized by well-respected national publications and educational organizations.
Ranked a U.S. News & World Report Best College
For a seventh consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Adelphi University on Long Island as a Best College among national universities. Adelphi continues to outrank other private universities on Long Island, at No. 189 for 2025 in the latest annual rankings.
Adelphi also scored well in numerous other U.S. News categories—including Best Value School, Best College for Veterans and Top Performer on Social Mobility.
Highly Ranked Programs
U.S. News & World Report also released its 2025 rankings for Best Undergraduate Programs. The following programs have been ranked in the top 300 among 2,000 programs in the United States.
- Best Undergraduate Business Program
- Best Undergraduate Nursing Program (since 2022)
- Best Undergraduate Psychology Program
These programs were ranked in earlier years:
- Best Part-Time MBA Program (2022)
- Best Graduate School for Psychology (2022)
- Best Graduate School for Speech-Language Pathology (2020, the most recent ranking)
- Best Clinical Psychology (Doctorate) Program (2020, the most recent ranking)
Three Adelphi Grad Programs Among Tops in 2024 U.S. News & World Report Rankings
U.S. News & World Report has recognized three Adelphi University graduate programs that deliver outstanding academic experiences.
U.S. News ranked the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, offered by Adelphi’s College of Nursing and Public Health (CNPH), among the top MSN programs for 2024. CNPH also was listed among the Best Public Health Schools for 2024, for its Master of Public Health program.
In addition, USN&WR included the part-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Adelphi’s Robert B. Willumstad School of Business among its top graduate programs for 2024.
The School of Social Work’s graduate programs were ranked No. 67 overall in the United States, a five-point jump versus last year, placing the program in the top quarter of more than 300 schools nationwide.
Our graduate programs are increasing both their national reputations and the quality they offer to those seeking to further their education, both online and in person.
Christopher Storm, PhD
Adelphi's provost and executive vice president
Adelphi Given Colleges of Distinction’s New International Recognition
Adelphi has been awarded the Colleges of Distinction’s latest honor—International Recognition, bestowed upon those universities that “dedicate resources to supporting international students at every stage of their academic journey” and foster a vibrant, diverse campus life through engaging events, peer mentorship and cultural workshops.
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Colleges of Distinction has recognized Adelphi for its extraordinary support of international students.
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With a new emphasis on student outcomes in its 2025 list of America's Best Colleges, The Wall Street Journal now ranks Adelphi as the top university on Long Island. Numerous initiatives promoting career readiness have propelled Adelphi's rise.
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For the second year, Adelphi University has been recognized among the world’s most prestigious universities in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025. Adelphi has maintained its national ranking of 168 and ranks in the 1501+ category worldwide.
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Adelphi University is once again the top-ranked private university on Long Island according to Forbes.
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Adelphi University has been recognized for its outstanding student support initiatives, programs and success by Colleges of Distinction and the Fiske Guide to Colleges.
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Adelphi University is among colleges and universities cited by Money for combining education quality, affordability and graduate earning power.
Adelphi Named to Phi Theta Kappa’s 2024 Transfer Honor Roll
Phi Theta Kappa recognizes Adelphi as one of America’s most accommodating four-year universities for community college transfer students. Showcasing only 228 of the top 25% of transfer-friendly institutions nationwide, the PTK Honor Roll has recognized Adelphi for eight consecutive years since 2017.
The Transfer Honor Roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life for transfer, admission practices, and bachelor’s degree completion.
Forbes: Adelphi Ranks Among “America’s Best Employers By State” for 2023
Adelphi University is one of just four employers—and the only university on Long Island—to be named among America’s Best Employers By State for 2023 by Forbes. Of the nine universities in New York State to make the list, Adelphi ranks higher than Columbia University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester.
No. 1 for Career Guidance
Adelphi University won the 2020 John L. Blackburn Exemplary Models Award from the American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) for our innovative Prep for Success program. Created by our Center for Career and Professional Development, the program helps students with everything from the most basic job-search skills to valuable work experience through paid internships with leading organizations.
Adelphi University is one of 25 New York institutions named a 2024–2025 Career Development College of Distinction. This national award recognizes Adelphi’s superior ability to create strategic career plans and equip our students with the skills necessary to succeed after they graduate.
Adelphi University’s Strong Support for Military Students
Adelphi Recognized for Military Support
Colleges of Distinction recognized Adelphi University for “ensuring that military students are welcomed, supported and inspired at every stage of their journey.”
Adelphi Designated as a Military Friendly School
Adelphi University earned a 2024-2025 Military Friendly® School with a Silver ranking — reflecting our strong commitment to supporting our military and veteran students.
Highest Honors for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
For the seventh consecutive year, Adelphi has received the INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award—a national recognition given in 2024 to the top 108 colleges and universities with an outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Adelphi University has also been named a recipient of Insight Into Diversity’s 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award for the seventh consecutive year—the latest demonstration of Adelphi’s outstanding commitment to access, diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. The latest Inspiring Program in STEM Award recognizes the Summer Institute in Mathematical Epidemiology (ASIME) program for high school students.- A Newman Civic Fellowship was awarded to an Adelphi undergraduate in 2023, as well as in the previous five years.
- 2020 District II CASE Awards for Diversity in Programming
- 2020 Institutional Excellence Award from the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE)
- 2020 Inspiring Affinity Group Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity
- The 2019 Encoura Innovation Award for our Mentoring Program
Adelphi recognized as a Campus Premier 5-Star LGBTQ-Friendly Campus
Adelphi is a Campus Pride 5-star LGBTQ-Friendly Premier Campus—recognized for its institutional commitment to LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices.
Award-Winning Mentoring and Career Guidance Provide an Upward Path
Social Mobility
U.S. News & World Report ranked Adelphi as a Top Performer on Social Mobility, a distinction for schools that enroll and graduate the largest proportion of students receiving need-based Pell Grants. This award recognizes the many support programs Adelphi offers our students, which engage students more deeply in campus life and provide a pathway to a degree and career success.
Equity and Inclusion
Colleges of Distinction has awarded Adelphi University an Equity and Inclusion recognition for our efforts to enroll and support a diverse student body through high-impact practices that are accessible to all.
Campus Prevention Network Awards Adelphi Its “CPN Seal of Prevention”
Adelphi has received Campus Prevention Network’s 2023 “CPN Seal of Prevention” in recognition of the University’s commitment to being a safe, welcoming and inclusive campus through participation in Vector Solutions’ online prevention education courses, for example, in anti-discrimination and harassment.
Adelphi PAC is a Top 35 University Performing Arts Center
Adelphi University’s Performing Arts Center has been recognized among the 35 Best University Performing Arts Centers in the U.S. by Clickit Ticket—which described it as “a haven of creativity” and one of “the best places in the United States to see dynamic student productions as well as those by world-renowned artists.”
Top Honors to Adelphi’s President Christine M. Riordan, PhD
Adelphi University’s 10th president and the first woman to serve in the role.
- The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awarded Dr. Riordan their highest honor in 2021 for her “outstanding efforts in promoting the understanding and support of education.” The organization also cited her leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic—both at Adelphi and across our region as a guiding voice in New York state’s higher education restart plan.
- Diverse: Issues In Higher Education magazine named her one of 25 Top Women in Higher Education Who Are Making a Difference
- Internationally recognized expert in leadership development, team building, and diversity and inclusion
- Recognized for her groundbreaking initiatives to personalize and transform the higher education experience
- Chair, board member and serves on the executive committee for the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities in New York (CICU)
- Named to the 2020 Long Island Power List for creating a more diverse student body, launching 17 new academic programs, and sharing her expertise on the handling of COVID-19 on college campuses
Other Notable Rankings and Awards
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For the second year in a row, Adelphi University has been hailed as a U.S. university that fosters a culture of environmental responsibility in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2025 Edition.
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Adelphi is awarded for its efforts in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
The Princeton Review ranks Adelphi among the Best Northeastern Colleges in 2024 and included our Robert B. Willumstad School of Business as a 2024 Best Business School.
Adelphi University is ranked as an environmentally responsible school—based on a review of over 700 colleges.
Business Insider ranked Adelphi at No. 11 on its 50 Most Underrated Colleges in America list, which considers two main factors: reputation and future earnings.
Niche.com ranked Adelphi University in the Top 13% of Safest College Campuses in America, in the Top 22% for Best Colleges for Public Policy in America and we’re ranked Top 15% for Best Colleges for Nursing in America.
Abound, part of Colleges of Distinction, listed Adelphi’s MBA as a top program in its rankings; Abound also recognized Adelphi for offering the nation’s top professional graduate degree programs.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) 2022 Circle of Excellence—Bronze Award went to Adelphi University’s First-Year Community Action Program.
Additional Honors, Awards & Distinctions
- Money’s 2024 Best Colleges: Adelphi University earned a solid four-star rating among 745 four-year colleges included in the list.
- Niche.com: Top 25 percent of its Best Value Colleges in America rankings
- Georgetown University reported, in its ranking of 4,500 schools, that an investment in Adelphi yields a 14 percent higher earnings than the average of all private or public higher education institutions in New York.
- HEED Award: Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (INSIGHT Into Diversity)
- College Choice: 50 Best Disability-Friendly Colleges and Universities
- 2020 Institution of Excellence Awards (National Association of Diversity Officers)
- Gold Medallion Status: LGBT SportSafe
- 5 out of 5 stars in the Campus Pride Index (Garden City campus)
- Best Colleges for Veterans (U.S. News & World Report)
- Military Friendly School designation—just 8 percent of schools nationwide named to the prestigious list in 2023–2024
- Best Colleges for Students with Autism—No. 10 in the nation (Great Value Colleges)
- Women’s Choice Award: Top Colleges for Women
Other honors include:
- American Chemical Society approved chemistry program
- 2024 Inspiring Program in STEM Award for educating science teachers (INSIGHT Into Diversity)
- 2019 Exemplary Models Award for personalized enrollment process (American Association of University Administrators)
- 2019 ATHENA Young Professionals Leadership Award (ATHENA International, awarded to our director of first-year admissions.)
- 17 national championships
- 223 NCAA tournament appearances
- 109 Northeast-10 Conference championships
- 4 Northeast-10 Presidents’ Cups
- 2023 Princeton Review Green School
- LEED-certified center for recreation and sports and performing arts center (U.S. Green Building Council)
- 100 percent natural, organic techniques to maintain campus flora
- 180 solar panels installed on our library’s roof
- 20,000 pounds of e-waste recycled between 2014 and 2019
- Top honoree in Computerworld’s inaugural Best Practices in Green IT awards program for excellence among early adopters of the green IT movement
Facts & Figures
2,278 *
5,325 *
full-time and part-time undergraduate students
* based on Fall 2024 data
See what they're involved in
1st
private, coeducational institution of higher education on Long Island
Explore Adelphi's History
1896
The year Adelphi was founded.
Explore Adelphi's History
55% *
of our undergraduate students are from diverse backgrounds
* based on Fall 2024 data
Enrollment Data
70 *
countries represented by our international students who come to Adelphi from around the world
* based on Fall 2024 data
Enrollment Data
41 *
states represented from across the country (plus Washington D.C. and United States territories)
* based on Fall 2024 data
Enrollment Data
12:1 *
student to faculty ratio means our professors can adopt a personalized approach to learning
* based on Fall 2024 data
Enrollment Data
225+
exceptional academic programs for any type of learner
Our Programs
21.6 *
students in an average undergraduate class—that means individualized attention from professors
* based on Fall 2024 data
Adelphi Facts
Fact: Adelphi Is a Wise Investment
We’re a people-first school, but our numbers tell a story about Adelphi students and our campus. Many of our students have jobs in their chosen fields or are in graduate school within just six months of graduation.