The University of Richmond has once again earned national recognition, securing a spot in The Princeton Review’s 2026 edition of The Best 391 Colleges. The guide, which profiles about 15% of America’s four-year institutions, is based on student surveys and highlights schools that provide an academically outstanding undergraduate education.

This year, Richmond placed in the top 10 in several categories across academics, student support, and campus life. Richmond climbed to No. 8 for “Best Quality of Life,” up from No. 24, reflecting high marks for friendliness, safety, and beauty on campus. The University also ranked No. 8 for “Best Career Services,” up from No. 12 last year, and earlier this year was named No. 9 among private schools on The Princeton Review’s “Best Schools for Internships” list.

“Richmond students dive into hands-on career discovery through skill-building labs, networking events, and career summits,” said Damon Yarnell, associate provost and executive director of career development. “Our team curates high-impact opportunities that match students’ interests, hosts career and grad school fairs each semester, and leads multi-day road trips to explore career possibilities in major cities. We’ve got exciting new projects in the works for the year ahead, and it’s energizing to see our momentum recognized in the rankings.”

Richmond’s connection to the city is also recognized, with the University included as No. 23 on the “College City Gets High Marks” list, based on student ratings of the towns and cities where their schools are located. As a residential campus in a dynamic metropolitan area, Richmond offers students unique opportunities to learn, engage, and take advantage of the city’s resources.

“Community engagement is a hallmark of a University of Richmond educational experience, and our students, faculty, and staff engage with organizations across our region through volunteering, community-based learning and research, summer civic fellowships, and more,” said Sylvia Gale, executive director of the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement. “We recognize how lucky we are to live in a city with such dynamic leaders and change makers from whom our students can learn.”