North Central College landed at No. 18 among private Midwest universities in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday, Sept. 22.

The Naperville college shared the No. 18 spot with Cedarville University in Ohio and Hamline University in Minnesota, according to NCTV17. In the overall Regional Universities Midwest category, which includes public and private institutions, North Central placed No. 23 out of 171 schools.

The rankings arrived five days after North Central reported record enrollment of 3,218 students for 2026-27, the third consecutive year the college has set an enrollment high.

North Central also climbed three spots to No. 24 in the Best Value Schools category, according to the college's announcement. That's a three-spot jump. The college ranked No. 10 among Best Colleges for Veterans, marking its third consecutive year in the top 10, and placed No. 84 among Top Performers on Social Mobility.

U.S. News also recognized North Central for strong undergraduate programs in engineering and psychology. The annual rankings evaluated more than 1,700 colleges and universities on 17 factors, including graduation rates, faculty salaries, student-faculty ratio and earnings by major.

"Recognition from U.S. News & World Report reflects our sustained commitment to providing students with more than just a degree," North Central President Abiódún Gòkè-Parìolá said in a statement. He said the college emphasizes faculty mentorship, internships and research to prepare students beyond the classroom.

John Carroll University in Ohio topped the private Midwest list. Milwaukee School of Engineering ranked second, and Calvin University in Michigan and Ohio Northern University tied for third.

North Central, founded in 1861, has earned a "Best in the Midwest" designation from U.S. News for more than 30 consecutive years. The college's 3,218 students this fall include an all-time high of 2,691 undergraduates representing 38 states and 24 countries.