High Rankings & Prestigious Honors
Belhaven University’s motto is “To serve, not to be served,” so we are a little cautious in talking about the praise we receive. On the other hand, we’re very proud of the faculty, staff, and students who have earned accolades for Belhaven from respected organizations across the country.
U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges
Best Online Programs
Belhaven University has earned award-winning rankings from U.S. News & World Report 2024 for Best Online Programs. U.S. News evaluated several factors to rank the best online bachelor's degree programs, including graduation rates, faculty credentials, and support services available remotely.
Best Online Programs for Veterans
U.S. News & World Report also ranked Belhaven University best online programs for veterans, measuring veteran or active-duty enrollment in the program. These rankings highlight the University’s continued commitment to online educational excellence as well as its strong support for veteran and active-duty students.
Best Colleges: Social Mobility
Belhaven University has earned accolades from U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges for Social Mobility for advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating disadvantaged students who were awarded with Pell Grants.
Colleges of Distinction
College of Distinction
College of Distinction honored Belhaven for the excellence of its programs and because the university is “highly recommended by those in-the-know about college education.” This commendation rewards Belhaven for classes taught by real professors, rather than graduate students or teaching assistants.
Additionally they reward Belhaven’s vibrant classrooms characterized by study abroad programs and scientific research that services learning and internships. College of Distinction also notes the many exciting hands-on programs, residential communities, and the school’s long track record of successful graduates.
College of Distinction: Business
Belhaven's School of Business was recognized for its commitment to offering real-world experience, job placement, a Biblically focused multi-disciplinary curriculum, industry connections and quality of faculty.
College of Distinction: Education
Belhaven's School of Education was recognized for its innovative approach by Colleges of Distinction.
College of Distinction: Nursing
Belhaven was honored by Colleges of Distinction for our expert blending of liberal arts with professional programming in nursing.
College of Distinction: Christian Colleges
Christian Colleges of Distinction bestowed national recognition on Belhaven as an excellent school with a strong focus on teaching undergraduates, highlighting a wide variety of innovative learning experiences and active campus life with many opportunities for personal development. Belhaven is also highly valued by graduate schools and employers for its career preparation.
College of Distinction: Mississippi
Only four institutions in the state of Mississippi are honored by CollegesofDistinction.com, which focuses its ratings on four distinct categories: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant campus communities, and successful outcomes.
College of Distinction
“Being recognized for over a decade as a College of Distinction is a direct result of our commitment to student engagement, great teaching, and a vibrant campus community. Our students are well prepared for their career or graduate school after graduation.”
Suzanne, Sullivan, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing
More Academic Honors
Forbes Advisor: Belhaven Top MBA in Entrepreneurship
Forbes Advisor has named Belhaven University one of the top 10 institutions in the nation for its online MBA in Entrepreneurship program. This prestigious recognition highlights Belhaven's commitment to providing high-quality, accessible education to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Doctoral/Professional University
Belhaven University has earned Doctoral/Professional University status, as determined by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
Transfer Honor Roll
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has nationally recognized Belhaven University for its commitment to transfer students. This award is given to four-year colleges and universities with proven outcomes for transfer success providing a supportive and smooth transition from community college.
Home-School Friendly
Belhaven was honored as one of the country’s Most Home-School Friendly Colleges. Among one college or university selected from each state, Belhaven receives high reviews from the homeschool community and has a rich history of accepting homeschoolers.
Money's 2024 Best Colleges in America
Money.com has recognized Belhaven’s quality and affordability, and honored the University with the “Best Colleges for Your Money” accolade.
Military Friendly
Belhaven University has earned the Military Friendly®️ School designation for its long history of supporting the U.S. Military in their pursuit of higher education.
Colleges That Encourage Character Development
The Templeton Guide: Colleges That Encourage Character Development has recognized Belhaven for leadership in the field of student character development for spiritual growth programs.
Top 100 Colleges
Educate to Career named Belhaven as one of the nation's Top 100 colleges in its outcome-based rankings. The ETC rankings empirically determine the economic value added by each of the 1224 colleges ranked within our system. The rankings calculate the improvement in earnings and employability of persons who attended specific colleges, relative to those similarly situated in other colleges.
Best Value For International Students
Belhaven was named to a list of 50 Best Value Christian Colleges and Universities for international students because of its dedication to providing excellent, values-based Christ-centered education.
National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements
Belhaven University is a participant of NC-SARA. The National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) is a private nonprofit organization that helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensure more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance education programs.
Workplace Accolades
Great College to Work For
ModernThink designated the University in its top tier as an Honor Roll institution.
Best Christian Workplace
This award recognizes only 22 Christian business and nonprofit organizations in the country that excel in job satisfaction, Christian witness, personal development, teamwork and management.
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5