The university earned honors in five categories for providing the best online bachelor’s and master’s programs in the United States, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Programs edition, released in January.
The university received honors in the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Psychology (36th); Best Online Bachelor’s Programs (tied for 101st); Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (ranked 84th); and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Business (tied for 98th) categories. In addition, Saint Leo was named one of the Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs (tied for the 65th-85th rankings).
“We are proud of how Saint Leo University ranked this year, especially the first-time recognition of our undergraduate psychology program and our master’s in computer information technology program,” said Dr. Mary Spoto, vice president of Academic Affairs.
As part of its strategic plan, Saint Leo University focused on assisting adult learners through a “first-term experience” pilot program and in fall 2020, created the Iota chapter of Omega Nu Lambda, the national honor society for online students, which provided students with more opportunities to connect and network.
Saint Leo was named as one of the best regional universities and best values in higher education in the 2019 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges, which takes into account both academic quality and cost. The university was No. 14 among Best Value Schools in the South and 47th among Southern universities in the top 50 “Best Regional Universities.” Additionally, Saint Leo was named one of the Best Colleges for Veterans among regional universities in the South, ranking 31st. 
Once again, Saint Leo ranked among the top 100 degree-granting institutions for minority students. The university ranks 25th among the top 100-degree granting institutions for African-Americans earning bachelor’s degrees in all disciplines, 19th for master’s degrees in all disciplines, and 75th for associate degrees in all disciplines. This is according to a 2018 listing by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. Additionally, the magazine ranked Saint Leo 21st among top producers of Hispanic graduates earning master’s degrees in business administration, management, and operations.
In January, Saint Leo was named as a Top 10 Gold-level Military Friendly® School Award recipient for 2019-2020 in the category of private institutions offering doctoral degrees by VIQTORY. Additionally, the university was selected as one of Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges 2019, ranking fourth in the country in the Online & Nontraditional Schools category.
Saint Leo University has become one of approximately 100 colleges across the country to offer two semesters of coursework in the biology major that puts students to work almost immediately in collecting viruses for a growing research database. The development is yielding multiple benefits. Students value having the chance as freshmen or sophomores to experience scientific discovery through a hands-on project, and they are making contributions to a huge repository of information that is valuable to other scientists near and far.
On December 5, Saint Leo celebrated its 20th anniversary of offering online education.Saint Leo was one of the first institutions to embrace online education through the creation and launch of the Center for Online Learning in December 1998. The university also was recently ranked in U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2019 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs and Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans.
Saint Leo University was named one of the best regional universities and best values in higher education in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges. Saint Leo ranked 62nd among regional universities in the South, which marks a rise from its previous ranking of 71st. In addition, the university was named one of the Best Value Regional Universities-South
Saint Leo was also ranked highly in the U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs for Bachelor’s Degrees (tied for 59th) and was named to the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans list (tied for 37th).
Saint Leo University earned the 2017 Military Friendly® School designation by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM Jobs, and Military Spouse. Each year, the list of Military Friendly® Schools is provided to servicemembers and their families, helping them select the best college, university, or trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.
Saint Leo was also named a Top 10 Gold-level Military Friendly® School Award recipient in the category of large, private institutions for 2017. Victory Media, originator of the family of Military Friendly® employment, entrepreneurship, and education resources for veterans and their families, published its special awards for 2017 Military Friendly® Schools and Employers. Saint Leo was ranked No. 3 in the nation in its category and one of the “best of the best,” according to Victory Media.
For the fourth consecutive year, Saint Leo University received recognition from Military Advanced Education & Transition (MAE&T) as a leader in the nation for providing education to those who are serving or who have served in the armed forces. Saint Leo earned the designation of Top School in its 2017 Guide to Colleges & Universities, measuring best practices in military and veteran education.
Saint Leo University was selected as one of the Best for Vets: Colleges 2017 by Military Times. The eighth annual Best for Vets rankings factor in the results of Military Times’ comprehensive school-by-school survey of veteran and military student offerings and rates of academic achievement.
Saint Leo’s commitment to community service recently garnered national honors as the university was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for 2015 for measurable acts of community service by students, faculty, and staff. The honor roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical role of higher education in strengthening communities, according to its website.