Willamette University has been honored nationally for a wide range of accomplishments, from being a good value and preparing students for successful careers to showing leadership in sustainability and public service. Our students and faculty frequently earn some of the top scholarships and fellowships in the country for their accomplishments both in and out of the classroom.

College of Arts & Sciences

  • Colleges That Change Lives

    Colleges That Change Lives

    Willamette University enriches students’ lives for the better, according to “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges.”

    The national guide, which was first published in 1996, is designed as an aid for prospective college students and their parents. Content for the newest edition is base on school tours and candid assessments by students, professors and deans.

    According to the guide, “... Willamette is a rising star — a place that does its work well and has momentum to claim its rightful spot among the few colleges in this country that prioritize undergraduate education.”

  • Willamette Monthly logo - 2018 College Rankings

    Top liberal arts college in the Northwest

    Washington Monthly ranked Willamette the top liberal arts college in the Northwest in its 2018 College Guide and Rankings. Schools are ranked based on their “contribution to the public good” in three areas: recruiting and graduating low-income students, producing cutting-edge scholarship through research and encouraging students to give back through service. Willamette is also ranked among western four-year colleges providing the “best bang for the buck.”

  • The World University Rankings logo

    No. 8 in the nation for best student-faculty interaction

    A Times Higher Education/Wall Street Journal survey of student satisfaction placed Willamette University No. 8 out of nearly 1,000 colleges and universities for opportunities to make meaningful connections with faculty members.

  • Fiske Guide 2020 Best Colleges and Universities

    One of the country’s best universities

    Willamette is featured in the “Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020,” which highlights the best and most interesting colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland. Willamette is praised as ”the place where you can grow as a student, leader, and person as you pursue your passions.”

  • US News Best Colleges Logo

    U.S. News ranks Willamette top Oregon liberal arts college

    U.S. News & World Report ranked Willamette University atop the Oregon schools listed in its 2020 “National Liberal Arts Colleges” rankings. Willamette is also ranked among the “Top Performers on Social Mobility” and “Best Value Schools.” The magazine’s ranking formula takes account of factors such as SAT scores, student/faculty ratio, peer reputation and alumni giving.

  • Teach For America logo

    Willamette among top Teach for America colleges

    With seven alumni serving in Teach for America in 2019, Willamette University madeTeach For America’s Top Contributors List for schools with less than 3,000 students. This nationwide organization recruits promising leaders to teach for at least two years in low-income communities.

  • Strive For College logo

    Willamette creates pathway to success for underrepresented students

    Strive for College, an organization dedicated to educational access, gives Willamette high marks for fostering an environment that leads to timely graduation and rewarding careers.

  • The Princeton Review - The Best Value Colleges logo

    Willamette named ‘Best Value College’ by Princeton Review

    University receives high marks for academic quality, affordability and success of alumni.

  • Peace Corps Top 10 College badge 2019

    Named No. 9 small school in nation for Peace Corps volunteers in 2019

    Willamette has been ranked among the top small schools in the country for number of alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers 15 of the last 17 years. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, more than 345 Willamette alumni have joined its ranks.

  • College Raptor logo of a diamond with text hidden gems 2019

    Willamette is a ‘hidden gem’ among universities nationwide

    College Raptor highlights Willamette University in several 2019 rankings including the 25 Best Colleges in the Northwest, Hidden Gems in the U.S. and Hidden Gems in the Northwest.

  • College Consensus - Best Colleges logo

    One of the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges

    College Consensus named Willamette University one of the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges and one of the 100 Best Small Colleges for 2019.

  • Honor Roll Presidential Awardee

    One of the nation’s best universities for exemplary service

    The Corporation for National and Community Service named Willamette to the 2015 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

College of Law

  • Willamette University College of Law seal

    Top law school in Oregon for graduate employment

    With more than 80% of 2018 graduates employed in “gold standard” positions by March 2019, Willamette Law has posted the top employment numbers in Oregon six out of the last seven years.

  • preLaw Magazine most diverse law schools 2017

    Most Diverse Law Schools

    Pre-Law Magazine named Willamette University College of Law one of the most diverse law schools in January 2017. Willamette was one of 60 and the only Oregon school recognized. To compile the list, the editors used a formula that incorporated six categories: percentage of minority faculty; percentage of black students; percentage of Asian and Hawaiian students; percentage of Hispanic students; percentage of American Indian students; and percentage of Caucasian students.

  • national jurist logo

    Best Schools for Small Law

    Willamette University College of Law is the only school in the Pacific Northwest recognized by the National Jurist magazine for its success in assisting graduates in finding employment. Willamette is one of the best schools in the country at placing students in jobs at firms with fewer than 100 attorneys.

Atkinson Graduate School of Management


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