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���ϲ����� has once again earned national recognition from Colleges of Distinction, securing six badges for the 2024-2025 academic year. These honors include recognition among the top colleges in Kentucky and additional distinctions for excellence in Christian education, business and education programs, affordability, and support for international students.

This year marks the eighth consecutive time ���ϲ����� has been named a College of Distinction, and the third straight year it has received this many individual honors, affirming the university’s continued commitment to academic excellence and student success.

Notably, only eight colleges in Kentucky earned a place on this year’s national Colleges of Distinction list. ���ϲ����� is honored to be among them and stands out even further as one of only six in the state recognized for both business and education programs, one of just four noted for affordability, and one of only three recognized for its support of international students. This distinction highlights the university’s ongoing commitment to making high-quality, affordable education accessible to students from all walks of life.

Colleges of Distinction’s recent release states that their selection process “identifies institutions that make a meaningful impact on students’ lives, not just ones that fight their way to the top of rankings lists.” Tyson Schritter, the organization’s chief operating officer, emphasized that institutions like ���ϲ����� exemplify “innovation and intentionality that prepare students for life after graduation.”

���ϲ����� Provost Dr. Trey Jarboe agrees wholeheartedly. “At ���ϲ�����, we’re helping students build real-world skills they’ll need to succeed after graduation,” he said. “Our programs are designed to prepare students for what comes next. A degree matters, but the ability to use what they've learned in practical, meaningful ways is what sets our graduates apart.”

The university’s forward-thinking approach is evident in the academic additions introduced this year, including a nonprofit management certificate and a strategic marketing program—both housed in the nationally recognized Department of Business. In addition to the honors from Colleges of Distinction, ���ϲ����� was ranked among Forbes’ Best Online Master’s in Management degree programs for 2025, and its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program earned the No. 8 spot nationwide among accredited nonprofit schools, according to Forbes Advisor.

���ϲ����� College of Education and Leadership continues to thrive as well. The university’s online Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership was recognized among the nation’s top programs by The Princeton Review for 2025. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report ranked the education program No. 4 in Kentucky and No. 127 nationwide for 2025.

These recognitions affirm ���ϲ����� offers an education that is both exceptional and accessible. By pairing rigorous academics with affordability and comprehensive student support, the university provides a unique value that meets today’s learners where they are and equips them for wherever they’re headed.

About ���ϲ�����

���ϲ����� is the largest private university in Kentucky and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral universities in the nation. The university offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs to students from across the globe. Rooted in Christian values such as leadership through service, ���ϲ����� aims to make higher education affordable and accessible to all.

About Colleges of Distinction

Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has honored institutions with a dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. The organization’s website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and valuable resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, visit .

Academic Offerings

���ϲ����� provides a broad selection of undergraduate and graduate academic programs. To view the complete list, visit www.ucumberlands.edu/academics.