Berry College Earns National and Regional Recognition for Beauty, Value, and Academic Excellence

Berry College is once again making headlines — not just for its stunning campus, but also for its academic programs and student experience.

Southern Living magazine recently named Berry one of “The 45 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South.” The feature highlighted Berry’s unique blend of natural splendor and academic purpose, praising its European-inspired architecture and well-known campus landmarks. Berry shares this honor alongside other prestigious institutions such as the University of Georgia, Duke University, and the University of the South.

But Berry’s recognition doesn’t stop there. In the 2026 Best Colleges rankings from U.S. News & World Report, Berry ranks among the top 30 colleges in the nation for service learning, internships, first-year experiences, and learning communities. Among regional universities in the South, Berry also continues to lead in multiple categories:

• No. 7 in Service Learning, ahead of Brown University and Georgetown University

• No. 17 in Learning Communities, tied with Georgia State University

• No. 19 in Internships

• No. 28 in First-Year Experiences, tied with Arizona State University and Texas A&M

• No. 4 overall among Regional Universities in the South

• No. 1 in Undergraduate Teaching Programs, Regional Universities in the South

• No. 1 in Best Value, Regional Universities in the South

• No. 2 in Most Innovative, Regional Universities in the South

Berry President Sandeep Mazumder noted that these rankings reflect the college’s deep commitment to both students and academic excellence:
“The Best Undergraduate Teaching accolade is a reflection of how Berry students work and grow alongside faculty mentors — exploring their interests and contributing to their fields of study in ways that better prepare them for a meaningful future. We are proud that the institution continues to be recognized for a legacy of excellence in the categories of ‘Service Learning,’ ‘Learning Communities’ and ‘Internships.’ We attribute our well-documented inclusion here to Berry graduates and how they are known for a sense of purpose, work ethic and habits of mind that give them a distinct advantage in their professional lives.”

The U.S. News rankings evaluate more than 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities on up to 17 factors, with more than half dedicated to student outcomes. Affordability and value also play key roles in the assessment, with Berry again emerging as a leader.

“U.S. News’ Best Colleges remains a reliable resource for prospective students and their families as they navigate the college selection process,” said LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “With over half of the ranking factors dedicated to student outcomes, the rankings and editorial content provide vital data, college advice and informed reporting to every student pursuing higher education.”

For a closer look at Berry’s Southern Living feature, visit: Southern Living – 45 Most Beautiful College Campuses in the South