For the second consecutive year, Brevard College has been named a College of Distinction,a national designation awarded to institutions with a commitment to engaged, experiential education. In addition to the national recognition, Brevard was also selected as a Private College of Distinction and a North Carolina College of Distinction.
As a national College of Distinction, BC joins a list of esteemed institutions including Carnegie Mellon University, Davidson College, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Rice University, University of California – Berkeley, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame and Wake Forest University.
“Today’s students are navigating a college landscape shaped by rising costs, rapid technological change, and real uncertainty about the future of work,” said Tyson Schritter, Chief Operating Officer at Colleges of Distinction. “Brevard College’s inclusion reflects its mastery of that measure. From undergraduate research and collaborative coursework to immersive service-learning and mentored internships, its students are active participants in their own education.”
The 2026-27 Colleges of Distinction recognition continues a trend of significant success at Brevard College, which currently enrolls 790 full-time undergraduate students, one of the largest enrollments in the College’s history. Brevard College continues to earn national recognition for academic excellence, including a National Teacher of the Year award and distinction in the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. The College has also introduced new academic programs in Artificial Intelligence Management and Engineering Science, along with new graduate programs and an annual undergraduate research conference.
The recognition by Colleges of Distinction is based on the independent guide’s unique evaluation criteria, known as the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes. Through extensive research and interviews, Colleges of Distinction identifies institutions that make a meaningful impact on students’ lives.
Unlike rankings that focus on prestige-driven metrics, Colleges of Distinction highlights schools that champion educational impact, including everything from first-year seminars and collaborative projects to undergraduate research, global learning and internships. Brevard College’s inclusion is a result of its commitment to these high-impact practices and the personalized support it offers students throughout their college journey.
“No two students arrive on campus with the same goals, background, or definition of success,” stated Schritter. “Brevard College has built an environment where students are supported and challenged in ways that translate into real academic, professional and personal outcomes.”
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to recognizing schools across the United States for their exceptional contributions to higher education. Colleges of Distinction institutions distinguish themselves through their focus on providing an outstanding undergraduate experience. The organization’s website offers dynamic college profiles, customized tools and valuable resources for students, parents and high school counselors.
For more information and to view Brevard College’s Colleges of Distinction profile, visit collegesofdistinction.com/school/brevard-college.
Brevard College is committed to an experiential liberal arts education that encourages personal growth and inspires artistic, intellectual, and social action.