Herzing University Ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin and No.4 in the U.S. in Newsweek’s “America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026”

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Inaugural ranking, developed in partnership with Gender Fair, highlights institutions that empower women

MILWAUKEE, WI, April 8, 2026 (EZ Newswire) -- Herzing University, an accredited, private nonprofit institution founded in Wisconsin with 12 campus locations across the country, today announced it has been named the No. 1 college for women in Wisconsin and the No. 4 college for women in the nation in Newsweek’s "America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026."

The recognition underscores Herzing University’s longstanding commitment to expanding access to education and advancing outcomes for women — both in the classroom and across its workforce. With approximately 86% of its student body identifying as female, Herzing has intentionally designed programs, support systems, and flexible learning pathways that meet the needs of women balancing education with work, family, and other responsibilities.

That commitment is reflected in Herzing’s leadership and academic community. Today, 58% of managers and above are women, helping shape decisions, culture, and the future direction of the university. Across its campuses, more than 1,000 women serve as faculty, including over 200 in Wisconsin, playing a vital role in mentoring and preparing the next generation of professionals.

Herzing also supports connection and professional growth through employee resource groups, including The HERzing Collective+, which focuses on mentorship, leadership development, and advancing women and allies across the institution.

Herzing’s impact is especially strong in healthcare, where the university has graduated more than 10,000 nurses, helping address critical workforce shortages nationwide. Through industry-aligned programs in nursing, healthcare, business, and technology, Herzing equips students with the practical skills and credentials needed to enter and advance in essential professions, supporting their growth and success every step of the way.

"We are honored to be recognized as the No. 1 college for women in Wisconsin and No. 4 nationally," said Renée Herzing, President of Herzing University. "This award reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and our commitment to creating pathways for women to succeed in high-demand, career-focused fields. Through our flexible online and on-campus programs, we support women and men from a variety of backgrounds as they balance work, family, and life responsibilities — helping them achieve their goals wherever they are."

"America’s Best Colleges for Women" is a ranking developed by Newsweek in partnership with Gender Fair to highlight institutions that support gender equality and empower women. The methodology is rooted in the Women’s Empowerment Principles and evaluates colleges across four key areas: leadership, pay and policies, safety, and opportunity. 

The ranking identifies colleges that have established the structural elements necessary to foster education and employment for women by drawing on data from the U.S. Department of Education — including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the Campus Safety and Security Database — as well as additional desk research. Only institutions meeting specific criteria for size and academic roles are included, ensuring the results reflect meaningful progress toward gender equity in higher education.

“Choosing a college is a defining moment for many young women, and it’s about more than academics alone,” said Jennifer H. Cunningham, Editor-in-Chief of Newsweek. “America’s Best Colleges for Women" highlights institutions that are making measurable progress in leadership, equity, safety, and opportunity, helping students identify environments where women are supported and positioned to succeed.”

Herzing University is an accredited, private nonprofit institution with 12 campuses across the country and a nationally accessible online division. The university offers career-focused programs in nursing, healthcare, behavioral health, technology, business, public safety and more. Herzing is committed to serving nontraditional and adult learners through flexible on-campus, hybrid and online learning options, workforce-aligned programming and strong industry partnerships that support the healthcare pipeline. Ranked among the best online programs by US News and World Report since 2013, Herzing empowers students with accessible, career-driven education. Learn more about Herzing and our accreditation and approvals at  www.herzing.edu.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 93-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. For more information, visit www.newsweek.com.

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SOURCE: Herzing University

https://app.eznewswire.com/news/herzing-university-newsweek-best-colleges-women-2026-no-1-wisconsin