Bentley University Named #2 Most Innovative School in the North by U.S. News & World Report
Bentley University has once again earned top marks in the latest U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in higher education.
In addition to being ranked the #1 Regional University in the North for the third straight year, Bentley has been named the #2 Most Innovative University in the North, tied with Emerson College and just behind Rhode Island School of Design.
Top 5 Most Innovative Regional Universities (North) in order:
- Rhode Island School of Design
- Bentley University (tied with Emerson)
- Emerson College (tied with Bentley)
- Loyola University (tied with SNHU)
- Southern New Hampshire University (tied with Loyola)
Bentley also earned impressive standing in several other key categories:
- #1 Best Regional University (North)
- #4 Best Value University (North)
- #11 Undergraduate Teaching (North)
- #19 Co-ops and Internships (tied)
These rankings reflect Bentley’s value and continued commitment to delivering a high return on investment for students and families.
Innovation at Bentley: A Legacy Reinforced
Bentley’s recognition for innovation is no accident. When Harry C. Bentley founded the university in 1917, a core mission was to equip future accountants with the tools and technologies that would help them immediately thrive in the industry but also prepare them for the work of the future.
This core commitment is still part of Bentley’s DNA, carrying through to the present, some 100-plus years later.
U.S. News and World Report’s innovation ranking highlights schools that are transforming:
- Curriculum
- Faculty engagement
- Student experience
- Campus life
- Technology and facilities
Bentley’s Falcons Forward 2030 strategic plan is central to this transformation. Designed to futureproof the university and its students, the initiative includes major investments in technology and learning environments.
Some of the key innovations underway at Bentley include:
- Reimagining of the Adamian Academic Center from a traditional academic space into a tech-driven learning hub (completion expected fall 2027)
- Integrating cutting-edge tools across disciplines, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and classroom-integrated artificial intelligence (AI)
“Bentley’s investment in technology, innovation and entrepreneurship represents a logical next step in the evolution of our institution,” said Bentley President E. LaBrent Chrite. “We’ve always been at the forefront of defining the next generation of business, so these commitments are just the latest manifestation of that.”
Provost Paul Tesluk added, “The renovated Adamian Academic Center will offer spaces where our students will be working hands-on with technology — prototyping and using the maker spaces. Ultimately, it’s about helping to futureproof our students.”
The university’s TIE initiative (Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship) also empowers Bentley faculty to continually innovate and evolve classroom experiences.
Take a look at the future of Bentley's reimagined Adamian Academic Center. Video by Caleb Gowett and Kevin Maguire.
Bentley’s Rankings Reflect Real-World Value
College rankings matter. They help prospective students and families evaluate schools based on key factors like innovation, technology and career outcomes. U.S. News & World Report’s data-driven approach to rankings includes 17 quality indicators, such as:
- Academic reputation and resources
- Faculty research and support
- Student outcomes and graduate success
- Financial strength
- Peer assessments
Bentley’s strong showing in these rankings follows other recent accolades:
- #15 in LinkedIn’s Top 50 Colleges — ahead of Columbia, Yale and Boston College
- #12 in The Wall Street Journal’s Best Colleges — ahead of Cornell, Brown and Dartmouth
These recognitions affirm Bentley’s position as a top-tier university preparing students for the future of work.