North Carolina Wesleyan University has earned a spot among the Top 50 private universities in the South in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, ranking No. 6 among private universities in North Carolina in the Regional Universities South category.
The recognition is especially significant as NC Wesleyan enters the Regional Universities South category for the first time. The University’s growing number of graduate programs moved NCWU into a larger and more competitive classification, where it is now evaluated alongside universities with broader graduate-level offerings.
NC Wesleyan was also recognized as a Top 5 university in North Carolina for Social Mobility, reflecting the University’s impact in helping students from a wide range of backgrounds access and complete higher education.
“These rankings reflect the growth of North Carolina Wesleyan while affirming what has always been central to our mission, creating opportunities for students to achieve their goals,” said NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff. “We are proud to be recognized among the leading private universities in the South and especially proud of the impact our students and graduates continue to make.”
The latest recognition builds on NC Wesleyan’s continued momentum in academic growth, student outcomes and national recognition as the University approaches its 70th anniversary.
Disc Golf Championship Brings Regional Players to NC Wesleyan
North Carolina Wesleyan University will welcome competitors from across the region as it hosts a round of the Spike Hyzer’s North Carolina Disc Golf Championship XV, a premier tournament in the sport of disc golf. The event will take place Friday through Sunday, March 20–22, 2026, with NC Wesleyan serving as one of the featured courses during the competition weekend.
The tournament is an A-Tier sanctioned event by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) and is presented by Discraft with support from Grip EQ. The championship is expected to draw players from across the United States and the Mid-Atlantic region.
The NC Wesleyan round will take place Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m., when amateur division players compete on the university’s scenic course located along a two-mile loop on campus. The round will feature a shotgun start, meaning players will begin simultaneously from multiple holes throughout the course.
Overall, the tournament features both professional and amateur divisions competing across three days at multiple courses in the area, including Sunset Park and Farmington Park. Professional competitors, currently totaling more than 50 registered players, will compete across three rounds over three days. The amateur field, which includes players from across North Carolina as well as Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C., will compete in multiple rounds throughout the weekend, including the Saturday morning competition at NC Wesleyan.
Notable competitors include professional players Chandler Kramer, Colten Montgomery, Barry Schultz, and Brian Schweberger, among others.
The tournament is organized by Chuck Connelly, tournament director of Spike Hyzer Disc Golf.
“I am looking forward to partnering with Chuck to present our course on the stage of one of his tournaments,” said Marcus Rich of North Carolina Wesleyan University. “This is the first year we have had the opportunity to present NC Wesleyan’s course in one of his tournaments, and this goes much further than just a round of disc golf. With this tournament, it expands our reach as more players set foot on campus and witness all that North Carolina Wesleyan University has to offer. We have a great course on a beautiful campus, and sharing this gem with the local community and beyond is a true honor.”
Spectators and members of the community are welcome to attend and experience the action as players navigate the university’s course.
More information about the tournament, including registration and schedules, can be found online.
