The University of Lynchburg has earned several honors from Colleges of Distinction, an organization described as a “trusted resource for guidance counselors, parents, students, and hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S.”
For the 2025-26 academic year, Lynchburg was named a College of Distinction, Business College of Distinction, Education College of Distinction, and Nursing College of Distinction. The University also was recognized for its career development efforts.
“Lynchburg has crafted a campus culture where students are empowered to take ownership of their learning,” Tyson Schritter, Colleges of Distinction’s chief operating officer, said. “Its programs reflect the kind of innovation and intentionality that prepare students for life after graduation.”
In deciding which institutions to honor each year, Colleges of Distinction uses what it describes as a “unique evaluating criteria known as the Four Distinctions: Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes.”
Instead of focusing on what it describes as “prestige-driven metrics,” it assesses a school’s “educational impact,” considering first-year seminars, internships, global learning, research with faculty, and other high-impact practices.
“We’ve never believed in ranking schools,” Schritter said. “Our goal is to celebrate institutions that help students find their place, their purpose, and their potential. Lynchburg stands out for creating an environment where students thrive, not just academically but as whole people.”
The undergraduate business program was recognized for its ability to “balance classroom theory with real-world application, preparing graduates to lead with confidence, integrity, and agility.”
As Schritter put it, “Lynchburg understands that effective business education is about more than numbers, but also about nurturing innovative, ethical leaders. Through faculty mentorship, interdisciplinary coursework, and immersive learning opportunities, their students are gaining the insight and experience needed to adapt in a rapidly changing landscape.”
Lynchburg’s education program was recognized for its “proven ability to graduate confident, compassionate, and classroom-ready teachers.”
Schritter commended the program for building “a program that blends strong academic foundations with real-world practice,” adding that Lynchburg is “equipping future educators with the tools and heart to lead diverse classrooms with care.”
Colleges of Distinction recognized Lynchburg’s nursing program for its “commitment to preparing compassionate, highly skilled nurses through innovative undergraduate education.”
In evaluating nursing schools, Schritter said, Colleges of Distinction “look[s] for institutions that go beyond the standard curriculum,” adding, “Lynchburg stands out for its commitment to academic rigor, practical experience, and whole-person development.”
The University also received the Career Development badge from Colleges of Distinction for its “clear dedication to helping students translate their college experience into meaningful careers.”
Unlike some colleges and universities where career services can “be treated as an afterthought,” Schritter said, Lynchburg’s approach to career services is “deeply embedded in the student experience from day one to graduation.”
