Andrews University has been named one of the "Best National Universities" for 2008, as reported in U.S. News and World Report. Of the over 4500 institutions of higher education in the United States, 262 of these are recognized as national universities, schools that provide master's and doctoral programs in addition to an array of undergraduate degrees. Just 98 private institutions meet these requirements. There are seven national universities in Michigan - Andrews University is the only Seventh-day Adventist institution included as a national university.

Each year U.S. News and World Report gathers data about colleges and universities throughout the United States. The rankings that result from this data are published in an "America’s Best Colleges" report in order to help students and their families find an institution to best meet their needs.

There has been some debate over whether the statistics used to rank a school can give an accurate portrayal of the overall experience offered at a school. U.S. News and World Report, however, does provide the public with additional information about environments, activities and programs that enhance the learning atmosphere at schools.

U.S. News and World Report ranks Andrews University as the thirteenth most racially diverse national university. Andrews is fifth among national universities in its percentage of international students.

Andrews is also unique in its student-to-teacher ratio. Sixty-three percent of classes offered at the University have fewer than twenty members each. These small classes provide an excellent learning environment, allowing students the opportunity to interact regularly with their instructors.

At the same time, 91% of the faculty at Andrews is full-time. As a result, the highest-ranking professors teach all students, including freshmen and sophomores, throughout their college experience.

Another strong recognition received by Andrews is its listing in the "A+ Options for B Students" category. Andrews, then, has a good reputation for taking "B" students and giving them an "A+" experience. Andrews is noted as having a "selective" acceptance rate - 43% of freshmen at Andrews were among the top 25% of their high school classes.