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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 Best Michigan Colleges

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 in Michigan 2021

Best Colleges ranked SAU #19 in their list of the “Best Accredited Colleges in Michigan.”

Online Christian Colleges Award icon

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.

veteran friendly gold level logo

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

RegisteredNursing.org ranked SAU as the #2 Online RN to BSN program in Michigan

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.

National Council on Teacher Quality Icon

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.

National Council on Teacher Quality Icon

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.

Best Online Colleges in Michigan

SAU has been recognized as one of the “Best Online Colleges in Michigan” in 2023 by Intelligent.com

Online Christian Colleges Award icon

Online Christian Colleges ranked SAU #17 in their list of the “50 Best Christian Graduate Schools Online.”

Most Affordable Colleges by Intelligent 2022

SAU was named the Best Christian College on Intelligent’sThe 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

Best Online Social Work Degree Program

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

Best MBA in HR 2022

Named among “The Best Online MBA in Human Resources Degree Programs” by Intelligent in 2022.

Master of Arts in Management and Organizational Leadership

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)

Master of Science in Nursing

Best Online Master's 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.

Best Nursing Master's 2022

Ranked in #7 in “2022 Best Nursing Schools in Michigan” by College Factual.

Ranked 2nd Best Online AGNP Programs

Ranked #2 in “2023 Best Online AGNP Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.

#1 Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Program

Ranked #1 in “2023 Best Online Family Nurse Practitioner Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.

#3 Best Overall Nurse Practitioner Program

Ranked #3 in “Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs” by Nurse Practitioner Online.