In 2012, CLU was ranked number 14 among regional universities in the Western United States by U.S. News & World Report. As of 2019, CLU ranked No. 9. The same rating, U.S. News & World Report published by "America's Best Colleges Guide", has rated CLU among the top 25 universities in Western United States for over ten consecutive years. In 2013 it ranked CLU as the 4th best university for veterans in the West, and 3rd as of 2014. In 1988, its 29th year, the university first appeared on the U.S. News & World Report's list of “best small comprehensive colleges.” In the 1988 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked CLU as one of the best comprehensive colleges in the United States. It ranked CLU 18th out of 167 American institutions with between 1,500 and 2,500 students.