Stetson University has been selected for The Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S., which ranks schools on how well they prepare their graduates for financial success.

The Wall Street Journal / College Pulse rankings are based on factors like student outcomes, graduates’ salaries and the quality of the learning environment. More than 1,500 U.S. colleges met the eligibility criteria and 584 schools were included in the 2026 rankings.

Overall, Stetson ranked No. 478 and received the highest score for Student Experience (No. 158). That ranking placed Stetson in the Top 10 of Florida colleges for providing a “great experience” for students.

“This latest ranking validates the work we do every day!” said Jeffery T. Gates, LPD, Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. “It also reflects Stetson’s strategic priorities to emphasize and foster the student experience.”

At Stetson, students experience a vibrant campus with more than 130 clubs and organizations, including Greek life, club and intramural sports, and robust NCAA Division I Athletics. The DeLand campus has been named one of the Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South and one of the most pet-friendly campuses in America.

Students enjoy small classes and develop close working relationships with top professors, who know them by name. This relationship-rich approach to education allows students to unlock their potential in a close-knit community that provides a culture of kindness and belonging.

In addition, through Stetson’s Hatter Ready program, students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world settings, such as internships, research and study abroad. The blend of rigorous academics and experiential learning ensures they are career-ready professionals after graduation.

The Wall Street Journal’s ranking follows other national recognition and top rankings for Stetson. Stetson was recently selected as one of the Best 391 Colleges in America for 2026 by The Princeton Review. The university was named a Best College in the South for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, a national College of Distinction for 2025-2026, and one of the best colleges in the country by the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2026.

Washington Monthly magazine selected Stetson for its 2025 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, honoring institutions that deliver on access, affordability, student outcomes, and service. Stetson was also voted Central Florida’s Favorite College for 2025 in a competition by The Orlando Sentinel among 29 colleges.

— Stetson Today