Thursday, October 1, 2026
Molloy University has been named to TIME magazine’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges list for 2026-2027, placing No. 85 among 100 colleges and universities in the nation.
Molloy was one of 14 New York institutions in the Top 100 and the only Long Island college or university to receive the distinction. The university was recognized alongside Columbia University, Barnard College and New York University.
The ranking evaluates colleges based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to students. Student outcomes account for 75 percent of an institution’s overall score, including graduation rates, graduate earnings and economic value for students. The remaining 25 percent considers educational costs, student resources and demand.
Molloy earned an overall score of 79.93.
For President James Lentini, the recognition came as a surprise because the university was not asked to submit information.
“It was totally a surprise to me,” Lentini said. “They did their own research by pulling up return on investment info and all kinds of metrics that are out there that people can find, and so, yeah, it was a surprise.”
Lentini said TIME used information, including tuition, graduate salaries and graduation rates.
The university’s annual undergraduate tuition is approximately $41,610 (or about $43,540 including standard fees). Total annual costs reach about $62,140 for on-campus residents and $43,540 for commuters.
The recognition follows another national ranking based on student outcomes. Lentini noted that Molloy was ranked No. 75 by the Wall Street Journal last year.
“It was great that these two publications, and this one being Time, are the same kind of results based on student outcomes,” he said.
Lentini said the Long Island distinction reflects Molloy’s focus on students.
“It says a lot about what we’re doing here and the high quality of the work and what we’re doing for our students here,” he said. “We have the kind of institution that offers degrees where they’re highly regarded in healthcare and the arts and business and education, and it just speaks highly of the work that’s happening at Molloy.”
Lentini attributed Molloy’s student outcomes in part to its mission and student support.
“I think we’re a different kind of place,” he said. “Our mission being a Catholic school, I think the kind of care our students get, the kind of way we treat each other, the attention we pay to each student, I think it’s a lot mission-based, and I think it speaks to retention rates and graduation rates.
“Those kind of things speak to the fact that our students feel a sense of belonging here,” he added. “They stay, and they get nurtured in a way where they succeed when they graduate.”
Lentini said the recognition could bring attention from prospective students and families.
“I think it should give a boost, and it should be something where students and parents are looking for schools,” he said. “We’re right in the backyard of a lot of these great students, so we’re worth a look from all these students, and we hope that more recognition will even take us further.”
