Rankings & Recognition
How SAU Shines
When you shine, people take notice. See how SAU has been recognized — for value, career preparation, academic excellence and beyond.
A Distinguished Education
U.S. News & World Report ranked SAU as one of the top Regional Universities for the 14th consecutive year. Additionally, SAU also received 2023 awards by U.S. News in Best Colleges for Veterans and Top Performers on Social Mobility.
SAU is named one of EDsmart’s Best Colleges & Universities in Michigan 2023
Niche ranks SAU in the Top 5 in both “Top Private Universities in Michigan” and “Best Christian Colleges in Michigan.”
SAU was recognized as a College of Distinction in 2022-2023.
Additionally, SAU was recognized as a Christian College of Distinction in 2022-2023.
College Choice ranked SAU #10 in their list of the “25 Best Online Colleges in Michigan” in 2021 and #17 in “Best Colleges in Michigan.”
Best Colleges ranked SAU #19 in their list of the “Best Accredited Colleges in Michigan.”
Online Christian Colleges listed SAU on their list of the “50 Most Affordable Christian Colleges & Universities.”
College Consensus listed SAU on their list of the “Best Christian Colleges & Universities” in 2023.
The Michigan Veteran’s Affairs Agency has awarded SAU Gold-Level status for our commitment to and involvement in their Veteran-Friendly Schools program.
Traditional Undergraduate
Niche rated our dorms #2 “Best College Dorms in Michigan” and #43 in all of America.
Nursing
SAU was recognized as a Nursing College of Distinction in 2022-2023.
RegisteredNursing.org ranked SAU as the #6 Online RN to BSN program in Michigan in 2023.
Elementary & Secondary Education
SAU was recognized as an Education College of Distinction in 2022-2023.
SAU’s elementary education program was named one of the nation’s top teacher prep programs in the book “Start Here to Become a Teacher” from the National Council on Teacher Quality.
The National Council on Teacher Quality ranked SAU in the 92nd percentile for undergraduate secondary school teacher prep programs in the nation.
Online
SAU was awarded as one of the “Best Online Colleges in Michigan” in 2023 by College Consensus.
SAU has been recognized as one of the “Best Online Colleges in Michigan” in 2023 by Intelligent.com
Online Christian Colleges ranked SAU #17 in their list of the “50 Best Christian Graduate Schools Online.”
SAU was named the Best Christian College on Intelligent’s “The Most Affordable Online Colleges” list in 2022.
SAU was recognized as one of the “Best Value Colleges & Universities” in 2023 by College Consensus.
SAU was listed as one of the “Best Online Colleges & Universities in the U.S.” by College Consensus in 2023.
Bachelor of Social Work
Named among the “Best Online Social Work Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2023.
Named among the “2022 Best Online BSW Programs” by OnlineU.
Master’s Degrees
Master of Business Administration
Named among “The Best Online MBA in Human Resources Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2022.
Master of Arts in Management and Organizational Leadership
Named among “The Best Organizational Leadership Master’s Degrees in the Nation” by Organizational Leadership EDU in 2023.
Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
Named among “The Best Online Master’s in English Language Learning Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2022.
Master of Science in Nursing
Named among “The Best Online Master of Science in Nursing Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2022.
Ranked #5 for “Best Online FNP Programs” by RegisteredNursing.com for our RN to MSN and BSN to MSN programs.
Ranked in #7 in “2022 Best Nursing Schools in Michigan” by College Factual.
Ranked #2 in “2023 Best Online AGNP Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.
Ranked #1 in “2023 Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.
Ranked #3 in “Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.