2017’s College & University Rankings
8:20 AMPosted by: Richie Bernardo
In a fierce global economy, a college degree today is necessary both for securing employment and staying ahead of the competition. And though success ultimately rests on students’ own determination and performance, the quality of the schools they choose — for the hefty price they often must pay — can help ensure students are well prepared for the demands of the real world.
To determine the top-performing schools at the lowest possible costs to undergraduates, our analysts compared nearly 1,000 higher-education institutions in the U.S. across 27 key measures. The data set — grouped into seven categories, such as Student Selectivity, Cost & Financing and Career Outcomes — ranges from student-faculty ratio to graduation rate to post-attendance median salary.
Recognizing the challenge of predicting future outcomes, WalletHub’s Best Colleges ranking also aims to lend insight by analyzing post-attendance metrics — the student-loan default rate and the share of former students outearning high school graduates, for instance — to indicate the value of the education students can expect to receive beyond their undergraduate studies.
Read on for our findings, a ranking by region and a full description of our methodology. Below the ranking results, a Q&A between WalletHub and a panel of researchers in relevant fields addresses today’s most pressing financial issues in higher education. Separate rankings for colleges and for universities also are available on WalletHub.
Main FindingsEmbed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/40750/geochart-undergrad-overall.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2gEpLFm;
2017 College Ranking: Best Colleges & Universities*Note: For readability, the above table displays only the top 500 out of 969 colleges and universities included in the ranking. **Note: Scores rounded to improve readability.
|
Midwest Rank |
School (Percentile) |
North Rank |
School (Percentile) |
South Rank |
School (Percentile) |
West Rank |
School (Percentile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago (IL) (99) | 1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA) (99) | 1 | Duke University (NC) (99) | 1 | California Institute of Technology (CA) (99) |
| 2 | University of Notre Dame (IN) (99) | 2 | Harvard University (MA) (99) | 2 | Rice University (TX) (99) | 2 | Stanford University (CA) (99) |
| 3 | Northwestern University (IL) (99) | 3 | Princeton University (NJ) (99) | 3 | Vanderbilt University (TN) (99) | 3 | University of California-Berkeley (CA) (98) |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (MI) (98) | 4 | Yale University (CT) (98) | 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (GA) (99) | 4 | Harvey Mudd College (CA) (98) |
| 5 | Washington University in St Louis (MO) (98) | 5 | University of Pennsylvania (PA) (98) | 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC) (98) | 5 | University of California-Los Angeles (CA) (97) |
| 6 | Carleton College (MN) (98) | 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York (NY) (97) | 6 | College of William and Mary (VA) (98) | 6 | Pomona College (CA) (96) |
| 7 | Grinnell College (IA) (97) | 7 | Brown University (RI) (97) | 7 | Emory University (GA) (98) | 7 | University of California-San Diego (CA) (96) |
| 8 | Case Western Reserve University (OH) (97) | 8 | Dartmouth College (NH) (96) | 8 | University of Florida (FL) (98) | 8 | Claremont McKenna College (CA) (95) |
| 9 | Macalester College (MN) (96) | 9 | Johns Hopkins University (MD) (96) | 9 | The University of Texas at Austin (TX) (97) | 9 | University of Southern California (CA) (95) |
| 10 | Illinois Institute of Technology (IL) (96) | 10 | Williams College (MA) (95) | 10 | University of Richmond (VA) (97) | 10 | University of California-Irvine (CA) (94) |
| 11 | St Olaf College (MN) (96) | 11 | Amherst College (MA) (95) | 11 | Washington and Lee University (VA) (97) | 11 | University of California-Santa Barbara (CA) (93) |
| 12 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (MN) (95) | 12 | Swarthmore College (PA) (95) | 12 | University of Georgia (GA) (96) | 12 | University of California-Davis (CA) (93) |
| 13 | Kenyon College (OH) (95) | 13 | Cornell University (NY) (94) | 13 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh (NC) (96) | 13 | Brigham Young University-Provo (UT) (92) |
| 14 | Purdue University-Main Campus (IN) (94) | 14 | Georgetown University (DC) (94) | 14 | Davidson College (NC) (96) | 14 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus (WA) (92) |
| 15 | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (IL) (94) | 15 | Wellesley College (MA) (93) | 15 | Clemson University (SC) (95) | 15 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (CA) (91) |
| 16 | University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI) (94) | 16 | Carnegie Mellon University (PA) (93) | 16 | Trinity University (TX) (95) | 16 | University of California-Santa Cruz (CA) (90) |
| 17 | Ohio State University-Main Campus (OH) (93) | 17 | Vassar College (NY) (92) | 17 | Rhodes College (TN) (95) | 17 | California State University-Long Beach (CA) (90) |
| 18 | Oberlin College (OH) (93) | 18 | Tufts University (MA) (92) | 18 | Virginia Military Institute (VA) (94) | 18 | University of Tulsa (OK) (89) |
| 19 | Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI) (92) | 19 | Colgate University (NY) (91) | 19 | University of Miami (FL) (94) | 19 | Whitman College (WA) (89) |
| 20 | Michigan Technological University (MI) (92) | 20 | Middlebury College (VT) (91) | 20 | Texas A & M University-College Station (TX) (94) | 20 | Scripps College (CA) (88) |
| 21 | Wabash College (IN) (92) | 21 | Barnard College (NY) (91) | 21 | Centre College (KY) (94) | 21 | University of California-Riverside (CA) (87) |
| 22 | Wheaton College - IL (IL) (91) | 22 | Northeastern University (MA) (90) | 22 | Ave Maria University (FL) (93) | 22 | Tulane University of Louisiana (LA) (87) |
| 23 | Truman State University (MO) (91) | 23 | Boston College (MA) (90) | 23 | Millsaps College (MS) (93) | 23 | Santa Clara University (CA) (86) |
| 24 | Illinois Wesleyan University (IL) (91) | 24 | Lehigh University (PA) (89) | 24 | University of South Florida-Main Campus (FL) (93) | 24 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona (CA) (86) |
| 25 | DePauw University (IN) (90) | 25 | SUNY at Binghamton (NY) (89) | 25 | The University of Texas at Dallas (TX) (92) | 25 | Pepperdine University (CA) (85) |
| 26 | University of Iowa (IA) (90) | 26 | Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) (88) | 26 | James Madison University (VA) (92) | 26 | Occidental College (CA) (84) |
| 27 | College of the Ozarks (MO) (89) | 27 | Lafayette College (PA) (88) | 27 | Florida State University (FL) (92) | 27 | San Diego State University (CA) (84) |
| 28 | William Jewell College (MO) (89) | 28 | Bucknell University (PA) (87) | 28 | Southwestern University (TX) (91) | 28 | Reed College (OR) (83) |
| 29 | Michigan State University (MI) (89) | 29 | Stony Brook University (NY) (87) | 29 | LeTourneau University (TX) (91) | 29 | Loyola Marymount University (CA) (83) |
| 30 | Miami University-Oxford (OH) (88) | 30 | Colby College (ME) (86) | 30 | University of Central Florida (FL) (91) | 30 | California State University-Fullerton (CA) (82) |
| 31 | The College of Wooster (OH) (88) | 31 | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (NY) (86) | 31 | Austin College (TX) (91) | 31 | University of California-Merced (CA) (81) |
| 32 | Saint Louis University (MO) (87) | 32 | Brandeis University (MA) (86) | 32 | University of Dallas (TX) (90) | 32 | San Jose State University (CA) (81) |
| 33 | Missouri University of Science and Technology (MO) (87) | 33 | Haverford College (PA) (85) | 33 | Mercer University (GA) (90) | 33 | University of La Verne (CA) (80) |
| 34 | Elmhurst College (IL) (87) | 34 | Bryn Mawr College (PA) (85) | 34 | Birmingham Southern College (AL) (90) | 34 | Alaska Pacific University (AK) (80) |
| 35 | Saint Johns University (MN) (86) | 35 | New York University (NY) (84) | 35 | Southern Methodist University (TX) (89) | 35 | Thomas Aquinas College (CA) (79) |
| 36 | University of Minnesota-Morris (MN) (86) | 36 | Bentley University (MA) (84) | 36 | University of Houston (TX) (89) | 36 | California State University-Northridge (CA) (78) |
| 37 | Ohio Northern University (OH) (85) | 37 | University of Connecticut (CT) (83) | 37 | Appalachian State University (NC) (89) | 37 | University of the Pacific (CA) (78) |
| 38 | Drake University (IA) (85) | 38 | American University (DC) (83) | 38 | George Mason University (VA) (88) | 38 | Oregon Institute of Technology (OR) (77) |
| 39 | Indiana University-Bloomington (IN) (85) | 39 | Villanova University (PA) (82) | 39 | Columbia International University (SC) (88) | 39 | Holy Names University (CA) (77) |
| 40 | University of Evansville (IN) (84) | 40 | The College of New Jersey (NJ) (82) | 40 | Dallas Baptist University (TX) (88) | 40 | Louisiana Tech University (LA) (76) |
| 41 | Augustana University (SD) (84) | 41 | Boston University (MA) (82) | 41 | Bryan College-Dayton (TN) (87) | 41 | University of San Diego (CA) (75) |
| 42 | Butler University (IN) (83) | 42 | George Washington University (DC) (81) | 42 | Lipscomb University (TN) (87) | 42 | Gonzaga University (WA) (75) |
| 43 | Calvin College (MI) (83) | 43 | New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJ) (81) | 43 | St. Mary's University (TX) (87) | 43 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus (OK) (74) |
| 44 | Newman University (KS) (83) | 44 | St. Joseph's College-New York (NY) (80) | 44 | University of South Carolina-Columbia (SC) (87) | 44 | University of Utah (UT) (74) |
| 45 | North Park University (IL) (82) | 45 | Skidmore College (NY) (80) | 45 | John Brown University (AR) (86) | 45 | California Lutheran University (CA) (73) |
| 46 | Hanover College (IN) (82) | 46 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst (MA) (79) | 46 | Florida Institute of Technology (FL) (86) | 46 | Corban University (OR) (72) |
| 47 | Hope College (MI) (81) | 47 | University of Delaware (DE) (79) | 47 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina (SC) (86) | 47 | California State University-Chico (CA) (72) |
| 48 | Bradley University (IL) (81) | 48 | Fordham University (NY) (78) | 48 | Florida Southern College (FL) (85) | 48 | Seattle University (WA) (71) |
| 49 | Goshen College (IN) (81) | 49 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (PA) (78) | 49 | University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL) (85) | 49 | Chapman University (CA) (71) |
| 50 | Iowa State University (IA) (80) | 50 | University at Buffalo (NY) (77) | 50 | Hendrix College (AR) (85) | 50 | Arizona State University-Tempe (AZ) (70) |
| 51 | Creighton University (NE) (80) | 51 | SUNY College at Geneseo (NY) (77) | 51 | Florida International University (FL) (84) | 51 | Pacific Lutheran University (WA) (69) |
| 52 | Kettering University (MI) (79) | 52 | University of Maryland-Baltimore County (MD) (77) | 52 | Baylor University (TX) (84) | 52 | Fresno Pacific University (CA) (69) |
| 53 | University of St Francis (IL) (79) | 53 | SUNY Oneonta (NY) (76) | 53 | King University (TN) (84) | 53 | University of Oregon (OR) (68) |
| 54 | University of Missouri-Kansas City (MO) (79) | 54 | Syracuse University (NY) (76) | 54 | Spalding University (KY) (83) | 54 | University of Denver (CO) (68) |
| 55 | Andrews University (MI) (78) | 55 | SUNY at Purchase College (NY) (75) | 55 | Texas Christian University (TX) (83) | 55 | Pacific Union College (CA) (67) |
| 56 | Coe College (IA) (78) | 56 | SUNY Polytechnic Institute (NY) (75) | 56 | Wofford College (SC) (83) | 56 | University of Redlands (CA) (66) |
| 57 | Webster University (MO) (77) | 57 | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (PA) (74) | 57 | Salem College (NC) (83) | 57 | University of New Mexico-Main Campus (NM) (66) |
| 58 | Luther College (IA) (77) | 58 | Simmons College (MA) (74) | 58 | Piedmont College (GA) (82) | 58 | Mills College (CA) (65) |
| 59 | Northwestern College (IA) (77) | 59 | St Mary's College of Maryland (MD) (73) | 59 | Bridgewater College (VA) (82) | 59 | Willamette University (OR) (65) |
| 60 | Ball State University (IN) (76) | 60 | Yeshiva University (NY) (73) | 60 | Houston Baptist University (TX) (82) | 60 | California State University-Fresno (CA) (64) |
| 61 | Cedarville University (OH) (76) | 61 | SUNY College at Oswego (NY) (73) | 61 | University of North Carolina Wilmington (NC) (81) | 61 | California State University-Los Angeles (CA) (63) |
| 62 | Rockhurst University (MO) (75) | 62 | Rochester Institute of Technology (NY) (72) | 62 | University of Alabama in Huntsville (AL) (81) | 62 | Oklahoma Christian University (OK) (63) |
| 63 | Alma College (MI) (75) | 63 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell (MA) (72) | 63 | University of Arkansas (AR) (81) | 63 | University of San Francisco (CA) (62) |
| 64 | University of Dayton (OH) (75) | 64 | University of Vermont (VT) (71) | 64 | Christopher Newport University (VA) (80) | 64 | Carroll College (MT) (62) |
| 65 | Dominican University (IL) (74) | 65 | Notre Dame of Maryland University (MD) (71) | 65 | Lincoln Memorial University (TN) (80) | 65 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CO) (61) |
| 66 | University of Missouri-Columbia (MO) (74) | 66 | Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ) (70) | 66 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (TN) (80) | 66 | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus (OK) (60) |
| 67 | Marquette University (WI) (74) | 67 | Clarkson University (NY) (70) | 67 | William Carey University (MS) (80) | 67 | California State University-San Marcos (CA) (60) |
| 68 | Lawrence Technological University (MI) (73) | 68 | Howard University (DC) (69) | 67 | Elon University (NC) (80) | 68 | California State University-San Bernardino (CA) (59) |
| 69 | Central College (IA) (73) | 69 | SUNY at Albany (NY) (69) | 69 | Berry College (GA) (79) | 69 | Simpson University (CA) (59) |
| 70 | Kuyper College (MI) (72) | 70 | Manhattan College (NY) (68) | 70 | Tennessee Technological University (TN) (79) | 70 | University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA) (58) |
| 71 | Chicago State University (IL) (72) | 71 | SUNY College at Plattsburgh (NY) (68) | 71 | University of Memphis (TN) (78) | 71 | Oklahoma Baptist University (OK) (57) |
| 72 | University of Illinois at Chicago (IL) (72) | 72 | Farmingdale State College (NY) (68) | 72 | Western Carolina University (NC) (78) | 72 | San Francisco State University (CA) (57) |
| 73 | Governors State University (IL) (71) | 73 | Stockton University (NJ) (67) | 73 | Catawba College (NC) (78) | 73 | East Central University (OK) (56) |
| 74 | Valparaiso University (IN) (71) | 74 | State University of New York at New Paltz (NY) (67) | 74 | Union University (TN) (77) | 74 | Northwest Nazarene University (ID) (56) |
| 75 | MidAmerica Nazarene University (KS) (70) | 75 | Worcester State University (MA) (66) | 75 | University of North Florida (FL) (77) | 75 | Point Loma Nazarene University (CA) (55) |
| 76 | University of Detroit Mercy (MI) (70) | 76 | Framingham State University (MA) (66) | 76 | Eastern Mennonite University (VA) (77) | 76 | California State University-Sacramento (CA) (54) |
| 77 | University of Illinois at Springfield (IL) (70) | 77 | University of Scranton (PA) (65) | 77 | Trevecca Nazarene University (TN) (76) | 77 | Central Washington University (WA) (54) |
| 78 | College of Saint Benedict (MN) (69) | 78 | Le Moyne College (NY) (65) | 78 | Young Harris College (GA) (76) | 78 | University of Idaho (ID) (53) |
| 79 | Grace University (NE) (69) | 79 | Saint John Fisher College (NY) (64) | 79 | Texas Tech University (TX) (76) | 79 | Western Washington University (WA) (53) |
| 80 | Lewis University (IL) (68) | 80 | Drexel University (PA) (64) | 80 | University of Louisville (KY) (76) | 80 | Northwest Christian University (OR) (52) |
| 81 | Minot State University (ND) (68) | 81 | Saint Vincent College (PA) (64) | 81 | Presbyterian College (SC) (75) | 81 | Azusa Pacific University (CA) (51) |
| 82 | Northern Illinois University (IL) (68) | 82 | Eastern University (PA) (63) | 82 | University of North Alabama (AL) (75) | 82 | Whittier College (CA) (51) |
| 83 | John Carroll University (OH) (67) | 83 | York College Pennsylvania (PA) (63) | 83 | The University of Alabama (AL) (75) | 83 | Biola University (CA) (50) |
| 84 | Ripon College (WI) (67) | 84 | Arcadia University (PA) (62) | 84 | Middle Georgia State University (GA) (74) | 84 | Washington State University (WA) (50) |
| 85 | Wartburg College (IA) (66) | 85 | SUNY College at Brockport (NY) (62) | 85 | Spring Hill College (AL) (74) | 85 | Northwest University (WA) (49) |
| 86 | Albion College (MI) (66) | 86 | Towson University (MD) (61) | 86 | Nova Southeastern University (FL) (74) | 86 | Vanguard University of Southern California (CA) (49) |
| 87 | Saint Mary's College (IN) (66) | 87 | Elizabethtown College (PA) (61) | 87 | Auburn University (AL) (73) | 87 | Linfield College-McMinnville Campus (OR) (48) |
| 88 | Augsburg College (MN) (65) | 88 | New York Institute of Technology (NY) (60) | 88 | Liberty University (VA) (73) | 88 | Walla Walla University (WA) (47) |
| 89 | Mount Mary University (WI) (65) | 89 | Molloy College (NY) (60) | 89 | University of Mary Washington (VA) (73) | 89 | Oklahoma City University (OK) (47) |
| 90 | Carthage College (WI) (64) | 90 | University of Rhode Island (RI) (59) | 90 | Mississippi State University (MS) (72) | 90 | Sonoma State University (CA) (46) |
| 91 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE) (64) | 91 | SUNY at Fredonia (NY) (59) | 91 | University of Mount Olive (NC) (72) | 91 | University of Colorado Boulder (CO) (46) |
| 92 | Northland College (WI) (64) | 92 | Westfield State University (MA) (59) | 92 | The University of West Florida (FL) (72) | 92 | Oregon State University (OR) (45) |
| 93 | Winona State University (MN) (63) | 93 | Wells College (NY) (58) | 93 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX) (72) | 93 | University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (OK) (44) |
| 94 | Anderson University - IN (IN) (63) | 94 | Seton Hall University (NJ) (58) | 94 | Georgia College and State University (GA) (71) | 94 | University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK) (44) |
| 95 | Lindenwood University (MO) (62) | 95 | Eastern Nazarene College (MA) (57) | 95 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte (NC) (71) | 95 | University of New Orleans (LA) (43) |
| 96 | Greenville College (IL) (62) | 96 | St Bonaventure University (NY) (57) | 96 | Wheeling Jesuit University (WV) (71) | 96 | Dominican University of California (CA) (43) |
| 97 | Bethany Lutheran College (MN) (62) | 97 | Central Connecticut State University (CT) (56) | 97 | North Greenville University (SC) (70) | 97 | George Fox University (OR) (42) |
| 98 | Saint Norbert College (WI) (61) | 98 | Roberts Wesleyan College (NY) (56) | 98 | Abilene Christian University (TX) (70) | 98 | La Sierra University (CA) (41) |
| 99 | North Central University (MN) (61) | 99 | Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA) (55) | 99 | Alice Lloyd College (KY) (70) | 99 | University of Hawaii at Manoa (HI) (41) |
| 100 | University of Northern Iowa (IA) (60) | 100 | Misericordia University (PA) (55) | 100 | Texas Lutheran University (TX) (69) | 100 | University of Nevada-Reno (NV) (40) |
| 100 | Otterbein University (OH) (60) | 101 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA) (55) | 101 | University of Southern Mississippi (MS) (69) | 101 | Eastern Washington University (WA) (40) |
| 102 | Xavier University (OH) (60) | 102 | McDaniel College (MD) (54) | 102 | The University of Texas at Arlington (TX) (69) | 102 | University of Wyoming (WY) (39) |
| 103 | Eureka College (IL) (59) | 103 | Alfred University (NY) (54) | 103 | Erskine College (SC) (69) | 103 | Southern Utah University (UT) (38) |
| 104 | University of Saint Mary (KS) (59) | 104 | Duquesne University (PA) (53) | 104 | Hardin-Simmons University (TX) (68) | 104 | The Master's University and Seminary (CA) (38) |
| 105 | The College of Saint Scholastica (MN) (58) | 105 | Lycoming College (PA) (53) | 105 | Hampden-Sydney College (VA) (68) | 105 | Hope International University (CA) (37) |
| 106 | Edgewood College (WI) (58) | 106 | Geneva College (PA) (52) | 106 | Maryville College (TN) (68) | 106 | Montana State University (MT) (37) |
| 107 | University of Jamestown (ND) (58) | 107 | University of Baltimore (MD) (52) | 107 | University of Charleston (WV) (67) | 107 | Westmont College (CA) (36) |
| 108 | St Catherine University (MN) (57) | 108 | Bridgewater State University (MA) (51) | 108 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro (NC) (67) | 108 | New Mexico State University-Main Campus (NM) (35) |
| 109 | Taylor University (IN) (57) | 109 | College of Our Lady of the Elms (MA) (51) | 109 | Mississippi College (MS) (67) | 109 | Oral Roberts University (OK) (35) |
| 110 | Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE) (57) | 110 | Fitchburg State University (MA) (50) | 110 | Southern Virginia University (VA) (66) | 110 | Saint Mary's College of California (CA) (34) |
| 111 | McKendree University (IL) (56) | 111 | Canisius College (NY) (50) | 111 | University of North Carolina at Asheville (NC) (66) | 111 | Montana Tech of the University of Montana (MT) (34) |
| 112 | Marian University - IN (IN) (56) | 112 | Adelphi University (NY) (50) | 112 | Georgia State University (GA) (66) | 112 | William Jessup University (CA) (33) |
| 113 | Millikin University (IL) (55) | 113 | Emerson College (MA) (49) | 113 | Brescia University (KY) (65) | 113 | Utah State University (UT) (32) |
| 114 | The University of Findlay (OH) (55) | 114 | Saint Francis University (PA) (49) | 114 | Spelman College (GA) (65) | 114 | Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus (NM) (32) |
| 115 | Saint Xavier University (IL) (55) | 115 | Philadelphia University (PA) (48) | 115 | Brenau University (GA) (65) | 115 | Seattle Pacific University (WA) (31) |
| 116 | Malone University (OH) (54) | 116 | Washington Adventist University (MD) (48) | 116 | Asbury University (KY) (65) | 116 | Regis University (CO) (31) |
| 117 | Rockford University (IL) (54) | 117 | University of Hartford (CT) (47) | 117 | University of North Texas (TX) (64) | 117 | Arizona Christian University (AZ) (30) |
| 118 | Mount Mercy University (IA) (53) | 118 | Rosemont College (PA) (47) | 118 | University of Montevallo (AL) (64) | 118 | Woodbury University (CA) (29) |
| 119 | University of Michigan-Dearborn (MI) (53) | 119 | Messiah College (PA) (46) | 119 | Meredith College (NC) (64) | 119 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus (CO) (29) |
| 120 | Loyola University Chicago (IL) (53) | 120 | St Francis College (NY) (46) | 120 | University of Kentucky (KY) (63) | 120 | Pacific University (OR) (28) |
| 121 | Mount Vernon Nazarene University (OH) (52) | 121 | Caldwell University (NJ) (45) | 121 | Valdosta State University (GA) (63) | 121 | Xavier University of Louisiana (LA) (28) |
| 122 | Hamline University (MN) (52) | 122 | St John's University-New York (NY) (45) | 122 | Randolph-Macon College (VA) (63) | 122 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas (NV) (27) |
| 123 | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (OH) (51) | 123 | Springfield College (MA) (45) | 123 | Texas A & M International University (TX) (62) | 123 | McNeese State University (LA) (26) |
| 124 | Viterbo University (WI) (51) | 124 | St. Thomas Aquinas College (NY) (44) | 124 | Winthrop University (SC) (62) | 124 | Sierra Nevada College (NV) (26) |
| 125 | Judson University (IL) (51) | 125 | Houghton College (NY) (44) | 125 | Ouachita Baptist University (AR) (62) | 125 | Chaminade University of Honolulu (HI) (25) |
| 126 | Franklin College (IN) (50) | 126 | Rhode Island College (RI) (43) | 126 | Covenant College (GA) (61) | 126 | Louisiana College (LA) (25) |
| 127 | Capital University (OH) (50) | 127 | Coppin State University (MD) (43) | 127 | Anderson University - SC (SC) (61) | 127 | Saint Martin's University (WA) (24) |
| 128 | Evangel University (MO) (49) | 128 | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MA) (42) | 128 | LaGrange College (GA) (61) | 128 | University of Louisiana at Monroe (LA) (23) |
| 129 | University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE) (49) | 129 | Cedar Crest College (PA) (42) | 129 | Samford University (AL) (61) | 129 | Rocky Mountain College (MT) (23) |
| 130 | Blackburn College (IL) (49) | 130 | DeSales University (PA) (41) | 130 | The University of Tampa (FL) (60) | 130 | Boise State University (ID) (22) |
| 131 | Spring Arbor University (MI) (48) | 131 | Stevenson University (MD) (41) | 131 | East Carolina University (NC) (60) | 131 | Loyola University New Orleans (LA) (22) |
| 132 | York College (NE) (48) | 132 | Waynesburg University (PA) (41) | 132 | University of Mississippi (MS) (60) | 132 | Southwestern Christian University (OK) (21) |
| 133 | Grand Valley State University (MI) (47) | 133 | Gannon University (PA) (40) | 133 | Toccoa Falls College (GA) (59) | 133 | Mount Saint Mary's University (CA) (20) |
| 134 | University of Indianapolis (IN) (47) | 134 | Saint Peter's University (NJ) (40) | 134 | Charleston Southern University (SC) (59) | 134 | San Diego Christian College (CA) (20) |
| 135 | Ashland University (OH) (47) | 135 | Immaculata University (PA) (39) | 135 | Flagler College-St Augustine (FL) (59) | 135 | Notre Dame de Namur University (CA) (19) |
| 136 | University of Minnesota-Crookston (MN) (46) | 136 | Western New England University (MA) (39) | 136 | Barton College (NC) (58) | 136 | University of Hawaii at Hilo (HI) (19) |
| 137 | Aurora University (IL) (46) | 137 | Mount St Mary's University (MD) (38) | 137 | Eckerd College (FL) (58) | 137 | Nicholls State University (LA) (18) |
| 138 | Siena Heights University (MI) (45) | 138 | Widener University (PA) (38) | 138 | Lynchburg College (VA) (58) | 138 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs (CO) (17) |
| 139 | Ferris State University (MI) (45) | 139 | Southern Connecticut State University (CT) (37) | 139 | Marymount University (VA) (57) | 139 | California Baptist University (CA) (17) |
| 140 | University of Minnesota-Duluth (MN) (45) | 140 | Niagara University (NY) (37) | 140 | Lyon College (AR) (57) | 140 | John Paul the Great Catholic University (CA) (16) |
| 141 | Central Michigan University (MI) (44) | 141 | Moravian College (PA) (36) | 141 | Barry University (FL) (57) | 141 | Southern University at New Orleans (LA) (16) |
| 142 | Grace College and Theological Seminary (IN) (44) | 142 | Wilson College (PA) (36) | 142 | Carson-Newman University (TN) (57) | 142 | Centenary College of Louisiana (LA) (15) |
| 143 | Cardinal Stritch University (WI) (43) | 143 | Bowie State University (MD) (36) | 143 | Sam Houston State University (TX) (56) | 143 | Portland State University (OR) (14) |
| 144 | Huntington University (IN) (43) | 144 | Dominican College of Blauvelt (NY) (35) | 144 | Hampton University (VA) (56) | 144 | The University of Montana (MT) (14) |
| 145 | Alverno College (WI) (43) | 145 | Gwynedd Mercy University (PA) (35) | 145 | Georgia Southern University (GA) (56) | 145 | University of Northern Colorado (CO) (13) |
| 146 | University of Mount Union (OH) (42) | 146 | University of New Hampshire-Main Campus (NH) (34) | 146 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FL) (55) | 146 | Humboldt State University (CA) (13) |
| 147 | Bethel College-Indiana (IN) (42) | 147 | University of Maine (ME) (34) | 147 | College of Charleston (SC) (55) | 147 | Western Oregon University (OR) (12) |
| 148 | Heidelberg University (OH) (42) | 148 | Quinnipiac University (CT) (33) | 148 | Florida Atlantic University (FL) (55) | 148 | Southern Oregon University (OR) (11) |
| 149 | Olivet Nazarene University (IL) (41) | 149 | University of Maryland Eastern Shore (MD) (33) | 149 | Gardner-Webb University (NC) (54) | 149 | Northwestern State University of Louisiana (LA) (11) |
| 150 | Northwest Missouri State University (MO) (41) | 150 | Centenary University (NJ) (32) | 150 | Eastern Kentucky University (KY) (54) | 150 | Dillard University (LA) (10) |
| 151 | Marietta College (OH) (40) | 151 | Frostburg State University (MD) (32) | 151 | Queens University of Charlotte (NC) (54) | 151 | Northeastern State University (OK) (10) |
| 152 | Friends University (KS) (40) | 152 | Rider University (NJ) (32) | 152 | University of South Carolina-Upstate (SC) (54) | 152 | Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO) (9) |
| 153 | Tabor College (KS) (40) | 153 | Delaware State University (DE) (31) | 153 | West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WV) (53) | 153 | Western State Colorado University (CO) (8) |
| 154 | Hastings College (NE) (39) | 154 | Saint Joseph's College of Maine (ME) (31) | 154 | Midwestern State University (TX) (53) | 154 | Adams State University (CO) (8) |
| 155 | Baker University (KS) (39) | 155 | La Salle University (PA) (30) | 155 | Oglethorpe University (GA) (53) | 155 | Louisiana State University-Shreveport (LA) (7) |
| 156 | Saint Josephs College (IN) (38) | 156 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (MA) (30) | 155 | Randolph College (VA) (53) | 156 | Southern University and A & M College (LA) (7) |
| 157 | Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (MO) (38) | 157 | Robert Morris University (PA) (29) | 157 | Tarleton State University (TX) (52) | 157 | Colorado State University-Pueblo (CO) (6) |
| 158 | Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion (IN) (38) | 158 | SUNY Buffalo State (NY) (29) | 158 | Bellarmine University (KY) (52) | 158 | Prescott College (AZ) (5) |
| 159 | University of South Dakota (SD) (37) | 159 | Gordon College (MA) (28) | 159 | Middle Tennessee State University (TN) (51) | 159 | Grambling State University (LA) (5) |
| 160 | Upper Iowa University (IA) (37) | 160 | Pace University-New York (NY) (28) | 160 | Wingate University (NC) (51) | 160 | Fort Lewis College (CO) (4) |
| 161 | Sterling College - KS (KS) (36) | 161 | Lesley University (MA) (27) | 161 | Harding University (AR) (51) | 161 | The Evergreen State College (WA) (4) |
| 162 | Doane University-Arts & Sciences (NE) (36) | 162 | American International College (MA) (27) | 162 | Kentucky Wesleyan College (KY) (50) | 162 | Eastern Oregon University (OR) (3) |
| 163 | Quincy University (IL) (36) | 163 | Felician University (NJ) (27) | 163 | The University of Texas at Tyler (TX) (50) | 163 | Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OK) (2) |
| 164 | University of Nebraska at Kearney (NE) (35) | 164 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania (PA) (26) | 164 | West Virginia University (WV) (50) | 164 | Colorado Mesa University (CO) (2) |
| 165 | Hiram College (OH) (35) | 165 | Alvernia University (PA) (26) | 165 | Texas State University (TX) (50) | 165 | Lewis-Clark State College (ID) (1) |
| 166 | Cleveland State University (OH) (34) | 166 | College of Mount Saint Vincent (NY) (25) | 166 | Southwestern Assemblies of God University (TX) (49) | 166 | Montana State University-Northern (MT) (1) |
| 167 | Simpson College (IA) (34) | 167 | Medaille College (NY) (25) | 167 | St Thomas University (FL) (49) | 167 | Bacone College (OK) (1) |
| 168 | University of North Dakota (ND) (34) | 168 | Monmouth University (NJ) (24) | 168 | Saint Edward's University (TX) (49) | ||
| 169 | Loras College (IA) (33) | 169 | Delaware Valley University (PA) (24) | 169 | Tusculum College (TN) (48) | ||
| 170 | Bluffton University (OH) (33) | 170 | Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus (NJ) (23) | 170 | Georgetown College (KY) (48) | ||
| 171 | Southwest Minnesota State University (MN) (32) | 171 | Lasell College (MA) (23) | 171 | Augusta University (GA) (48) | ||
| 172 | University of Mary (ND) (32) | 172 | Millersville University of Pennsylvania (PA) (23) | 172 | University of West Georgia (GA) (47) | ||
| 173 | Lake Erie College (OH) (32) | 173 | Champlain College (VT) (22) | 173 | Southwestern Adventist University (TX) (47) | ||
| 174 | Iowa Wesleyan University (IA) (31) | 174 | Cairn University-Langhorne (PA) (22) | 174 | Florida Gulf Coast University (FL) (47) | ||
| 174 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (WI) (31) | 175 | University of Saint Joseph (CT) (21) | 175 | Arkansas State University-Main Campus (AR) (46) | ||
| 176 | Oakland University (MI) (30) | 176 | LIU Post (NY) (21) | 176 | Southeastern University (FL) (46) | ||
| 177 | Crown College (MN) (30) | 177 | Keene State College (NH) (20) | 177 | Converse College (SC) (46) | ||
| 178 | Northern Michigan University (MI) (30) | 178 | Point Park University (PA) (20) | 178 | Longwood University (VA) (46) | ||
| 179 | Graceland University-Lamoni (IA) (29) | 179 | University of New England (ME) (19) | 179 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (TN) (45) | ||
| 180 | Trinity International University-Illinois (IL) (29) | 180 | Iona College (NY) (19) | 180 | Virginia Commonwealth University (VA) (45) | ||
| 181 | Ohio University-Main Campus (OH) (28) | 181 | Suffolk University (MA) (18) | 181 | University of South Carolina-Aiken (SC) (45) | ||
| 182 | Cornell College (IA) (28) | 182 | Morgan State University (MD) (18) | 182 | Tuskegee University (AL) (44) | ||
| 183 | Avila University (MO) (28) | 183 | Mount Aloysius College (PA) (18) | 183 | Texas Woman's University (TX) (44) | ||
| 184 | Eastern Michigan University (MI) (27) | 184 | Kean University (NJ) (17) | 184 | Kentucky State University (KY) (44) | ||
| 185 | Clarke University (IA) (27) | 185 | Mount Saint Mary College (NY) (17) | 185 | Fort Valley State University (GA) (43) | ||
| 186 | Adrian College (MI) (26) | 186 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA) (16) | 186 | Columbus State University (GA) (43) | ||
| 187 | Wisconsin Lutheran College (WI) (26) | 187 | Chestnut Hill College (PA) (16) | 187 | Freed-Hardeman University (TN) (43) | ||
| 188 | North Dakota State University-Main Campus (ND) (26) | 188 | Neumann University (PA) (15) | 188 | Roanoke College (VA) (43) | ||
| 189 | University of Northwestern-St Paul (MN) (25) | 189 | SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill (NY) (15) | 189 | Shorter University (GA) (42) | ||
| 190 | Trinity Christian College (IL) (25) | 190 | Bloomfield College (NJ) (14) | 190 | Stephen F Austin State University (TX) (42) | ||
| 191 | Northern State University (SD) (25) | 191 | Johnson State College (VT) (14) | 191 | Palm Beach Atlantic University (FL) (42) | ||
| 192 | Cornerstone University (MI) (24) | 192 | University of New Haven (CT) (14) | 192 | University of North Georgia (GA) (41) | ||
| 192 | Western Michigan University (MI) (24) | 193 | University of Bridgeport (CT) (13) | 193 | Pfeiffer University (NC) (41) | ||
| 194 | Southeast Missouri State University (MO) (23) | 194 | Thiel College (PA) (13) | 194 | Davis & Elkins College (WV) (41) | ||
| 195 | Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (IN) (23) | 195 | East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (PA) (12) | 195 | Winston-Salem State University (NC) (40) | ||
| 196 | Bowling Green State University-Main Campus (OH) (23) | 196 | La Roche College (PA) (12) | 196 | Cumberland University (TN) (40) | ||
| 197 | University of Sioux Falls (SD) (22) | 197 | Castleton University (VT) (11) | 197 | Claflin University (SC) (40) | ||
| 198 | Missouri State University-Springfield (MO) (22) | 198 | Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (PA) (11) | 198 | Belmont University (TN) (39) | ||
| 199 | Saint Cloud State University (MN) (21) | 199 | University of Southern Maine (ME) (10) | 199 | Murray State University (KY) (39) | ||
| 200 | Muskingum University (OH) (21) | 200 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus (PA) (10) | 200 | Marshall University (WV) (39) | ||
| 201 | Minnesota State University Moorhead (MN) (21) | 201 | Nyack College (NY) (9) | 201 | Francis Marion University (SC) (39) | ||
| 202 | Wichita State University (KS) (20) | 202 | Marymount Manhattan College (NY) (9) | 202 | Thomas More College (KY) (38) | ||
| 203 | MacMurray College (IL) (20) | 203 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania (PA) (9) | 203 | Old Dominion University (VA) (38) | ||
| 204 | Oakland City University (IN) (19) | 204 | Carlow University (PA) (8) | 204 | Montreat College (NC) (38) | ||
| 205 | University of Southern Indiana (IN) (19) | 205 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (PA) (8) | 205 | Armstrong State University (GA) (37) | ||
| 206 | Manchester University (IN) (19) | 206 | California University of Pennsylvania (PA) (7) | 206 | The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (TX) (37) | ||
| 207 | University of Michigan-Flint (MI) (18) | 207 | Southern Vermont College (VT) (7) | 207 | Hollins University (VA) (37) | ||
| 208 | Trine University (IN) (18) | 208 | Mount Ida College (MA) (6) | 208 | West Texas A & M University (TX) (36) | ||
| 209 | Benedictine College (KS) (17) | 209 | Lock Haven University (PA) (6) | 209 | West Liberty University (WV) (36) | ||
| 210 | Youngstown State University (OH) (17) | 210 | Lincoln University - PA (PA) (5) | 210 | University of South Alabama (AL) (36) | ||
| 211 | Olivet College (MI) (17) | 211 | Curry College (MA) (5) | 211 | Mississippi University for Women (MS) (35) | ||
| 212 | Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (IL) (16) | 212 | University of Valley Forge (PA) (5) | 211 | Coker College (SC) (35) | ||
| 213 | McPherson College (KS) (16) | 213 | Keystone College (PA) (4) | 213 | West Virginia Wesleyan College (WV) (35) | ||
| 214 | Lake Superior State University (MI) (15) | 214 | Lyndon State College (VT) (4) | 214 | East Texas Baptist University (TX) (35) | ||
| 215 | Southwest Baptist University (MO) (15) | 215 | Franklin Pierce University (NH) (3) | 215 | Emory & Henry College (VA) (34) | ||
| 216 | Kent State University at Kent (OH) (15) | 216 | Clarion University of Pennsylvania (PA) (3) | 216 | University of the Incarnate Word (TX) (34) | ||
| 217 | Midland University (NE) (14) | 217 | Becker College (MA) (2) | 216 | Shenandoah University (VA) (34) | ||
| 218 | Missouri Baptist University (MO) (14) | 218 | The College of New Rochelle (NY) (2) | 218 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (AR) (33) | ||
| 219 | Finlandia University (MI) (13) | 219 | Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (PA) (1) | 219 | Sweet Briar College (VA) (33) | ||
| 220 | Dakota Wesleyan University (SD) (13) | 220 | University of Maine at Fort Kent (ME) (1) | 220 | University of Mobile (AL) (33) | ||
| 221 | Black Hills State University (SD) (13) | 221 | Wheelock College (MA) (1) | 221 | North Carolina A & T State University (NC) (32) | ||
| 222 | University of Toledo (OH) (12) | 222 | Wesley College (DE) (1) | 222 | Campbell University (NC) (32) | ||
| 223 | Ursuline College (OH) (12) | 223 | Shepherd University - WV (WV) (32) | ||||
| 224 | Dakota State University (SD) (11) | 224 | Fairmont State University (WV) (31) | ||||
| 225 | South Dakota State University (SD) (11) | 225 | Huntingdon College (AL) (31) | ||||
| 226 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MN) (11) | 226 | Troy University (AL) (31) | ||||
| 227 | Dickinson State University (ND) (10) | 227 | University of West Alabama (AL) (31) | ||||
| 228 | Culver-Stockton College (MO) (10) | 228 | Belmont Abbey College (NC) (30) | ||||
| 229 | Valley City State University (ND) (9) | 229 | Faulkner University (AL) (30) | ||||
| 230 | Carroll University (WI) (9) | 230 | Northern Kentucky University (KY) (30) | ||||
| 231 | William Woods University (MO) (9) | 231 | Jacksonville State University (AL) (29) | ||||
| 232 | Rochester College (MI) (8) | 232 | Newberry College (SC) (29) | ||||
| 233 | Grand View University (IA) (8) | 233 | Lee University (TN) (29) | ||||
| 234 | Kansas Wesleyan University (KS) (8) | 234 | Fayetteville State University (NC) (28) | ||||
| 235 | Lourdes University (OH) (7) | 235 | East Tennessee State University (TN) (28) | ||||
| 236 | Stephens College (MO) (7) | 236 | Point University (GA) (28) | ||||
| 237 | Roosevelt University (IL) (6) | 237 | Lamar University (TX) (28) | ||||
| 238 | Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne (IN) (6) | 238 | The University of Texas at San Antonio (TX) (27) | ||||
| 239 | University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne (IN) (6) | 239 | Georgia Southwestern State University (GA) (27) | ||||
| 240 | Lakeland University (WI) (5) | 240 | Lander University (SC) (27) | ||||
| 241 | Defiance College (OH) (5) | 241 | Central Baptist College (AR) (26) | ||||
| 242 | Ohio Dominican University (OH) (4) | 242 | Schreiner University (TX) (26) | ||||
| 243 | Wilmington College (OH) (4) | 243 | Averett University (VA) (26) | ||||
| 244 | University of Dubuque (IA) (4) | 244 | Western Kentucky University (KY) (25) | ||||
| 245 | University of Akron Main Campus (OH) (3) | 245 | University of Arkansas at Little Rock (AR) (25) | ||||
| 246 | Indiana State University (IN) (3) | 246 | Concord University (WV) (25) | ||||
| 247 | Northeastern Illinois University (IL) (2) | 247 | Elizabeth City State University (NC) (24) | ||||
| 248 | Wilberforce University (OH) (2) | 248 | Angelo State University (TX) (24) | ||||
| 249 | Holy Cross College (IN) (2) | 249 | Texas Wesleyan University (TX) (24) | ||||
| 250 | Urbana University (OH) (1) | 250 | Morehead State University (KY) (24) | ||||
| 251 | Southwestern College - KS (KS) (1) | 251 | Coastal Carolina University (SC) (23) | ||||
| 252 | Central State University (OH) (1) | 252 | Judson College (AL) (23) | ||||
| 253 | Notre Dame College (OH) (1) | 253 | Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN) (23) | ||||
| 254 | William Peace University (NC) (22) | ||||||
| 255 | Austin Peay State University (TN) (22) | ||||||
| 256 | University of Central Arkansas (AR) (22) | ||||||
| 257 | High Point University (NC) (21) | ||||||
| 258 | University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (TX) (21) | ||||||
| 259 | Kentucky Christian University (KY) (21) | ||||||
| 260 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke (NC) (20) | ||||||
| 261 | Southern Arkansas University Main Campus (AR) (20) | ||||||
| 262 | North Carolina Wesleyan College (NC) (20) | ||||||
| 263 | The University of Texas at El Paso (TX) (20) | ||||||
| 264 | North Carolina Central University (NC) (19) | ||||||
| 265 | University of South Carolina-Beaufort (SC) (19) | ||||||
| 266 | University of the Ozarks (AR) (19) | ||||||
| 267 | Warner University (FL) (18) | ||||||
| 268 | Auburn University at Montgomery (AL) (18) | ||||||
| 269 | Glenville State College (WV) (18) | ||||||
| 270 | McMurry University (TX) (17) | ||||||
| 271 | Huston-Tillotson University (TX) (17) | ||||||
| 272 | Jackson State University (MS) (17) | ||||||
| 273 | Warren Wilson College (NC) (17) | ||||||
| 274 | Columbia College - SC (SC) (16) | ||||||
| 275 | Alderson Broaddus University (WV) (16) | ||||||
| 276 | Tougaloo College (MS) (16) | ||||||
| 277 | Our Lady of the Lake University (TX) (15) | ||||||
| 278 | Oakwood University (AL) (15) | ||||||
| 279 | Albany State University (GA) (15) | ||||||
| 280 | Johnson C Smith University (NC) (14) | ||||||
| 281 | Delta State University (MS) (14) | ||||||
| 282 | Mars Hill University (NC) (14) | ||||||
| 283 | Howard Payne University (TX) (13) | ||||||
| 284 | Limestone College (SC) (13) | ||||||
| 285 | Mary Baldwin University (VA) (13) | ||||||
| 286 | Wayland Baptist University (TX) (13) | ||||||
| 287 | Lubbock Christian University (TX) (12) | ||||||
| 288 | Henderson State University (AR) (12) | ||||||
| 289 | Regent University (VA) (12) | ||||||
| 290 | Campbellsville University (KY) (11) | ||||||
| 291 | Norfolk State University (VA) (11) | ||||||
| 292 | Virginia State University (VA) (11) | ||||||
| 293 | University of the Cumberlands (KY) (10) | ||||||
| 294 | Virginia Wesleyan College (VA) (10) | ||||||
| 295 | Ferrum College (VA) (10) | ||||||
| 296 | Alabama A & M University (AL) (9) | ||||||
| 297 | Alabama State University (AL) (9) | ||||||
| 298 | Prairie View A & M University (TX) (9) | ||||||
| 299 | Webber International University (FL) (9) | ||||||
| 300 | Greensboro College (NC) (8) | ||||||
| 301 | Morehouse College (GA) (8) | ||||||
| 302 | Paul Quinn College (TX) (8) | ||||||
| 303 | Alcorn State University (MS) (7) | ||||||
| 304 | Virginia Union University (VA) (7) | ||||||
| 305 | Methodist University (NC) (7) | ||||||
| 306 | Clark Atlanta University (GA) (6) | ||||||
| 307 | West Virginia State University (WV) (6) | ||||||
| 308 | Sul Ross State University (TX) (6) | ||||||
| 309 | Reinhardt University (GA) (6) | ||||||
| 310 | Fisk University (TN) (5) | ||||||
| 311 | Texas Southern University (TX) (5) | ||||||
| 312 | Truett McConnell University (GA) (5) | ||||||
| 313 | Bluefield State College (WV) (4) | ||||||
| 314 | Stillman College (AL) (4) | ||||||
| 315 | St Andrews University (NC) (4) | ||||||
| 316 | Lynn University (FL) (3) | ||||||
| 317 | Edward Waters College (FL) (3) | ||||||
| 318 | Savannah State University (GA) (3) | ||||||
| 319 | Paine College (GA) (2) | ||||||
| 320 | University of Houston-Downtown (TX) (2) | ||||||
| 321 | Bluefield College (VA) (2) | ||||||
| 322 | University of Pikeville (KY) (2) | ||||||
| 323 | Chowan University (NC) (1) | ||||||
| 324 | Saint Augustine's University (NC) (1) | ||||||
| 325 | South Carolina State University (SC) (1) | ||||||
| 326 | Lane College (TN) (1) | ||||||
| 327 | Livingstone College (NC) (1) |
Ask the Experts
Although renowned for their quality, the biggest names in higher education don’t always prove to be the best value or choice for students. And with tuition rates rising every year, many students are likely to be more selective with their options. To advance the discussion on cost-related matters in post-secondary education, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:
- Are Ivy League and other “name-brand” schools worth the high sticker price?
- What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment?
- Given that the top 25 universities hold 52 percent of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities?
- Should college be tuition-free? How else can we work to make college more affordable?
- What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects?
Maricela Oliva Associate Professor & Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Support in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at The University of Texas at San Antonio
Lyn Countryman Professor of Teaching & Science Education at the University of Northern Iowa
Luke M. Cornelius Associate Professor in the Department of Leadership, School Counseling, and Sport Management & Director of Higher Education Administration at the University of North Florida
Linda E. Clark Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership at Central Connecticut State University
Leonard Goduto Ed.D. Program Director and Associate Professor & Chair of the Department of Graduation Education, Leadership, and Counseling at Rider University
Ken Schneck Associate Professor and Director of the Leadership in Higher Education Program at Baldwin Wallace University
Kenneth K. Wong Director of the Urban Education Policy Program, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Professor and Chair of Education Policy, and Professor of Political Science, Urban Studies & International and Public Affairs at Brown University
Kara Jones Education and Early Childhood Development Instructor at the University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton
Jonathan J. Sanford Professor of Philosophy and Dean of the Constantin College of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas
John L. Hoffman Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Director of the Doctor of Educational Leadership Program at California State University, Fullerton
John L. Anderson Partner in the Schoolhouse Partners Education Consulting Group at Fort Lewis College
Jody Jessup-Anger Associate Professor of Higher Education at Marquette University
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? I am an Ivy League graduate myself, and I definitely think the education was worth the “sticker price.” But I didn’t actually pay it all myself. I benefitted from a zero Expected Family Contribution, many academic scholarships, work-study funding and modest loans ($5,000 total) because I was a very low-income student. With only $5,000 in loans, I was able to retire those quickly, even as I pursued graduate study and acquired more loan obligations. Had I left college with a high loan burden, I might think that a good public institution would have been a better option. Some of these are quite good, and when they fit students’ needs well, can be equally beneficial. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? There are different institution types in U.S. higher education. And even within institution types, they can vary considerably by their mission and by the mix of programs that they offer. For example, a land-grant university focuses on agricultural and mechanical arts and may therefore offer a richer array of those programs than traditional liberal arts programs. A traditional liberal arts institution prepares students with important transferable skills for many occupations, but may not channel students into particular occupational fields. An institution is a good return on investment if it meets a student’s holistic needs well. I consider holistic needs to include having the right curricular offerings to meet the student’s needs, having a rich campus culture and student support that offers ample opportunities for engagement (which is associated with retention), and a reasonable cost that does not overburden students with debt after graduation. Finding the right institution is critical because these issues are mutually influencing, and interconnect to determine whether a student is happy and focused enough in their studies to graduate in four years. For a student to find the right college or university while considering them holistically, it is important for them to have time with guidance counselors or college access professionals. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? The fact that endowments are not taxed encourages donors to support colleges and universities, and contributes to institutions’ financial health. I believe taxing these would discourage this kind of philanthropy and would be counterproductive. A better solution is to determine what is a reasonable amount to hold in endowment funds. If funds get too big, the institution is foregoing opportunities to invest funds in human capital programs such as student support, that contribute to student success. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Colleges and universities are expensive to run, especially those with large research and business development enterprises. I would love for colleges to be much less of a burden to students who are unable to cover the cost themselves or with the help of their families. However, making it free for everyone is unnecessary. Especially for high-quality, relatively low-cost public institutions of higher education, the cost is not a burden for high-income students. From a public policy perspective, a sliding scale of cost makes more sense. All families pay into the public system through the tax and other support provided over a lifetime. However, an equal college cost in college burdens low-income students at a much higher proportion of family income than it does those from higher-income families. There is a danger when communities do not see anyone like themselves having the opportunity to access the state’s colleges, especially those more in demand -- that danger is that public support for higher education will decline. It would help public institutions to be more affordable if in our era of small government, states would stop cutting higher education budgets and contribute more of the proportion of cost than they have in recent years, and if they would stop passing the burden of rising cost to students. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Ensuring good job prospects does not require studying for specific jobs. Many employers value the skills developed in traditional liberal arts programs, especially since the skills they develop are very transferable to professional occupational fields. However, it is important for students to do their homework before applying to college. Aided by online college/university search software (BigFuture, Compare College Texas and others) or by school guidance and college admissions counselors, students should research places to apply. That begins with a self-assessment regarding what kind of college/university preparation best fits their needs. They can pursue a traditional liberal arts education, or one more focused on preparation for work in a particular field. Once personal goals are identified, then the search software can help students and families evaluate institutions and what they offer holistically. Questions to ask are:
- Does it offer what I want to study?
- Is the cost in line with other similar institutions?
- Would the institution offer financial aid or support to mitigate cost, or result in a high loan debt after graduation?
- Is there support for academic success while attending, such as through robust tutoring or supplementary instruction, leadership development, and community engagement activities?
- Finally, is there support for life after graduation, such as through internship programs while studying and career guidance and employment searches during junior and senior years?
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? Whether the Ivy League schools are worth the price depends on what you want to do with your life. Honestly, if one is willing to work hard, look for extra opportunities, and make connections with others, one could go to any institution, and I would say going cheaper would be better, as one is not saddled with a huge debt. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? The best universities that provide the best return are state institutions. You usually have lower tuition for in-state students, and they provide comprehensive education. I think it is important to have a solid liberal arts education, and then go to the state institution that has what you want. If you want to be a teacher, go to the state institution that has a good education college and teacher preparation program. If you want to be in medicine, go to the one with a medical college. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? Endowments have been given by donors that want their money there. I don't think the government has any business taxing that money. Often, it is used for scholarships or to attract great faculty -- each of these benefit students. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Should college be tuition-free? Absolutely, if we could find a way to pay for it, but I don't see that happening. Besides, I find it is important to have some "skin in the game," to have ownership in your education. That being said, we do need to find ways to cut the money students need. I am currently using an OpenStax book that is free to students. This is one way I, as a faculty member, can make it more inexpensive for students to take my class. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Go to the institution with a great job placement rate. Luke M. Cornelius Associate Professor in the Department of Leadership, School Counseling, and Sport Management & Director of Higher Education Administration at the University of North Florida 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? Unfortunately, Ivy League and other name brand universities are generally worth the sticker price. I think that both employment data, as well as anecdotal evidence strongly supports that name recognition, plus deep and influential alumni networks, have a strongly positive effect on success for these graduates. There is, after all, a reason why all nine Supreme Court justices graduated from either Harvard or Yale. That said, I think a lot of the same advantages apply to the so-called "Public Ivies." Given that these state schools are often larger and have even more research capacity, and generally much more reasonable tuition even for out-of-state students, I think the case can be made that a graduate of California Berkeley, Michigan, or UT Austin can be just as competitive as an Ivy League graduate. Additionally, as my next answer will explain, I don't think these name brand universities are the only route to success. One other thought about the high sticker price at some of the more expensive big-name universities -- at many colleges and universities, especially those with relatively small endowments, tuition is often calculated as what is necessary to pay for a student's education after State funding and other sources of local income have been factored in. However, at America's best-known and most highly-endowed colleges and universities, tuition is often treated as a more nominal figure. Oftentimes it represents a "market price" that students and families who are able to pay are willing to bear. For example, many Ivy League universities take the position that someone who is able to attend will be allowed to, and that institutional support will be allocated based on need for highly qualified students. As a result, a "legacy" student attending a prestigious private institution, someone whose family has more than adequate resources, may find themselves paying an annual tuition upwards of $50,000 or $60,000. However, a truly gifted student attending the same institution may find their tuition adjusted based upon their family's ability to pay, all the way down to a full ride. Nor is this phenomenon limited to prestigious private colleges. Public institutions in some states, including Indiana, have actually developed tuition schedules which may overestimate the actual tuition cost of attendance, so that they can redistribute tuition money from those able and willing to pay to lower the tuition for needier students. Needless to say, in the public sector, such programs can be quite controversial. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? Return on investment is hard to judge when it comes to colleges and universities. Of course, there is the data that Bill Bennett and his group try to promote, but I would say this is far from conclusive and would appear to be agenda-driven research. ROI is more than just the financial return to the graduate, and it's not uncommon to find strong appreciation for their alma mater from the vast majority of college graduates, regardless of their financial success after graduation. With that caveat, I think there are number of different types of institutions that can offer an outstanding ROI, depending on what the goals of each enrolled student are. Based upon both national data and my own personal experience, I think a lot can be said for attending one of the smaller, but highly regarded private liberal arts colleges like Mount Holyoke, Williams, or Harvey Mudd. Often, these schools are well-endowed enough to offer significant financial aid, may have lower costs and tuition than the Ivies, and have smaller, but often stronger influential alumni networks. As I have stated previously, I think a lot can be said for the so-called "Public Ivies," especially for in-state students. Furthermore, for students to see their lives and careers happening fairly close to home, I think almost any state flagship university offers outstanding value, and may even be a greater asset for students who remain in-state than for those who might attend more prestigious universities out of state. Students attending the University of Alabama or Kansas State may find themselves better positioned for success locally than their peers who go to school in California or New England. One last thought about ROI. Some consideration has to be given to a student’s intended career or major. For example, a graduate of Harvard Business School has a better chance of finding a career on Wall Street with high pay than the graduate of a regional state university. On the other hand, in fields such as education or nursing, where the pay is far less variable, a student is probably better off getting a more affordable degree. New York City public schools generally don't pay graduates of Columbia University any more than they pay graduates of City College. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? The idea of taxing university endowments is simply fraught with all sorts of policy and legal peril. First of all, it would set a terrible precedent that the government could tax nonprofit organizations simply because they have become too big or influential. It is not hard to extend this thinking to the point where government could then tax nonprofits they simply disapprove of, based upon their point of view. Taxing Harvard's endowment would be a short step away from then allowing the government to tax Planned Parenthood or the Catholic Church. Additionally, punishing the success of the top university endowments would undoubtedly have a dampening effect on other universities and donors who are still trying to grow. I think especially large donors would be hesitant to give multimillion dollar gifts, if they knew this would be subject to taxation. This is almost a textbook case of where a social policy would have the effect of equalizing down, and not up. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Based on the experience of many European nations, I am personally of the opinion that free tuition is not an especially good or effective idea. As an educator, I think students need to have some "skin in the game" as a motivator to graduate. Given how low four-year graduation rates are in most states, free tuition could very well turn colleges and universities into perpetual welfare colonies. Additionally, I don't see a lot of political will to make up the additional cost of tuition. Even current so-called "free tuition" schemes are not really free. Most are considered "last dollar" programs, where the government only pays those costs not already covered by existing financial aid sources. There are of course a variety of ways to make college more affordable. One way, which is not currently politically popular, is to restore decades of state spending cuts for public higher education. One of the great misperceptions of the so-called "tuition crisis" is that colleges themselves, especially public ones, are simply out of control about spending. In truth, a lot of the cause for spiraling tuition costs in the public sector are due to declining state aid to public colleges and universities. For example, here in Florida, the state subsidized roughly 75 percent of each in-state student’s tuition a generation ago. Today, that number is around 50 percent, and it actually got lower during the recent recession. Another way to make college more affordable is to institute campus policies designed to help students graduate on time, or even early. The decline in four-year graduation rates means that too many students continue to accumulate debt for additional years of study, even if they are working. Colleges can facilitate this by focusing more financial aid to encourage students to graduate on time, by avoiding distractions like part-time, or even full-time, jobs. One proposal which is becoming popular is instituting block tuition policies, in which a student must pay a fixed tuition price each term, regardless of course load. This tends to encourage students to take more classes each term, and hence graduate sooner. Unfortunately, colleges and universities have enormous amounts of "fixed costs," which tend to make their budgets rather inelastic. Physical plant, once built, must be maintained. Laying off faculty and staff, even when possible, tends to have a negative effect on student success. And the students themselves are often the ones most opposed to cutting things like student activities and sports. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? I personally believe that the best tip you could give a student looking to limit their debt and still graduate with the competitive degree is something called "financial literacy." More and more institutions are developing financial literacy programs for their incoming students. I think there are a number of aspects to these programs that can really help students graduate with quality degrees and I will offer you some examples below. First of all, before students choose a higher-priced private or out-of-state college or university, they should definitely look into what's available within their public in-state system. Again, the student's own career goals are important here. Someone who sees their life happening in their home state or region may be better served by attending a state flagship or high-quality regional university than by spending a fortune on an out-of-state degree. Likewise, those who are pursuing careers with relatively inflexible starting salaries, like teaching, are probably better off attending a public institution close to their home or intended work location. Another important aspect of fiscal literacy is helping students understand the consequences of taking out excessive debt early, and helping them make their own ROI decisions. One example is learning how to determine the quality of the college program vs. the price. Many first-generation students are attracted by the advertising and ease of access into expensive for-profit institutions that will max out their available loans per term, even though there may be higher-quality and lower-price nonprofit options available locally. Additionally, even students attending relatively lower-cost, in-state institutions may be tempted to take on additional loan debt to improve their overall lifestyle. I have personally witnessed students taking on additional debt so they can live in more upscale apartments, or even make payments on new cars, not realizing that the interest rate on their student debt far exceeds most modern car loans. One of the most challenging things in higher education today is helping 17- or 18-year-olds realize that taking on additional unnecessary student debt will eventually have the effect of lowering their post-graduation lifestyle, including things like marriage, children, and homeownership. This is especially critical for students who are selecting majors that may not offer significant immediate post-graduation income. I think college advisors are far too reticent in explaining the financial differences between the engineering and art majors. My other suggestion is for students to become much more aggressive in seeking institutional and other private scholarship money. I think that, to some extent, modern college students have become entirely reliant on the FAFSA form, which generally only leads to government grants and loans and perhaps some generic institutional financial aid. Each year in this country, billions of dollars of available scholarship money goes unused because it cannot be accessed using the FAFSA. Many of these privately endowed scholarships require separate applications, and may require additional qualifications, such as essays or establishing eligibility in a specific demographic. For example, there are many alumni sponsored scholarships for students who may have come from a specific city or town, are pursuing a specific major, or meet some criteria like race or gender. I believe it should be incumbent on colleges and universities to make students better aware of these opportunities by centralizing a directory of all available on-campus scholarships and grants, including their requirements, and perhaps a system for online application. Additionally, students themselves should look for outside sources of scholarships. Most civic organizations, like Rotary clubs or Kiwanis, have scholarship programs for local students. There are also organizational scholarship programs for the children of veterans, firefighters, and law enforcement officers, especially for those killed or disabled in the line of duty. But that is really just the tip of the iceberg. There are scholarship competitions offered by newspapers and television stations, civil rights organizations, and private philanthropists. If students put as much effort into pursuing scholarship opportunities as they do in their college applications or coursework, they could find themselves attending even a high-cost private university almost debt-free. Another way for students to avoid excessive debt is to find ways to reduce the number of credits they have to pay for, especially in higher-tuition institutions. Doing early college courses while still in high school, by taking classes at their local community college as well as advanced placement courses, all have the effect of reducing the number of credits they will be required to pay for as adult students. Likewise, subject to an institution’s credit transfer limits, they can make use of their summers by taking additional community college or online courses, if they are at home or otherwise away from campus. Likewise, avoiding excess credits, by taking classes unconnected to the general core curriculum or their major, helps a lot. This is especially true in states like Florida, where public universities are now charging as much as triple for excess credit hours. Finally, students and their financial aid advisors need to seriously discuss the balance between employment and coursework. Too many students today take off-campus jobs, often full-time or more than one, in order to pay for college and to support their student lifestyle. Unfortunately, this often results in delayed graduation, which can end up costing them more in the long run in terms of debt and foregone postgraduate employment. A common problem with such employment is that off-campus employers are often not very amenable to students’ course schedules. Students are then often forced to choose between their job and a class they need to graduate, which conflicts with their work schedule. I tend to encourage students to first seek on-campus employment, which tends to be more flexible with regard to things like class schedules and final exams. Such employment also keeps students on campus, so that the time and distance commuting between class and employment is minimal. Ironically, part of this discussion of balance between class and employment may actually be encouraging certain students to actually take on more debt in order to pursue great job prospects more quickly. Students in high demand fields, especially engineering and many areas of medicine, are probably better off taking out as much student loan debt as they need to graduate quickly, as their post-graduation job prospects should allow them to pay off this debt much more quickly than many of their peers. It makes little sense to lose years off a high-paying career, just to economize on student debt by trying to work your way through school. Ultimately, I think it is really incumbent upon us, as institutions of higher learning, to do a much better job of making students aware of all of their options for financing their postsecondary education goals. And I am encouraged that more and more universities are making financial literacy part of the admission, orientation, and/or financial aid process. Linda E. Clark Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Ed.D. Program in Educational Leadership at Central Connecticut State University 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? There is an implicit assumption in this statement, that the “value” is being measured against the full sticker price. Many students pay far less than the sticker price, particularly those who demonstrate skills, abilities, and potential in areas of interest to the institution. Further delineation of “worth” is also merited. Each institution publishes a mission statement. Therefore, the “worth” of enrolling at an institution should be based on the attainment of that particular mission. In fact, many “name brand” schools reflect an institutional commitment to developing not only the skills and knowledge relevant to career readiness, but also social and global awareness. The “worth” of these institutions goes well beyond job placement. These institutions are often at the forefront of developing graduates who are socially and globally aware, and can engage in problem solving and critical thinking. Additionally, the ability of these schools to be selective beyond academic credentials allows a student body that is heterogeneous. Such a learning environment maximizes students’ ability to appreciate and synthesize a diverse array of values, attitudes, cultures, and information. That said, not all students will understand the larger scope of these schools. These students may define “worth” by the ability to secure employment upon graduation, and should seek out schools that are more oriented to career preparation. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? One of the strengths of the U.S. system of Higher Education is the accreditation process. Each institution is responsible for establishing a unique mission and outcomes. The accreditation process involves evaluating the institution against these self-determined standards. As students and families make decisions about “investing” in an institution, they need to understand the priorities of the institution, as outlined in the mission and objectives. High congruence between the expectations of the student and family and the stated institutional mission promotes a high return on investment. However, student motivation factors into this return. Unmotivated students will not thrive in any environment. A student with low motivation can enroll in an institution promising to achieve congruent objectives, but if the student does not take responsibility for their own learning, then the perception may be that the institution did not provide a good return on the investment. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? First, it is important to understand what an endowment does. Endowments provide resources for institutions to engage in innovative activities, many never intending to yield fiscal benefits. For example, if the endowment is used to allow an institution to recruit a more heterogeneous student population, there may not be a financial imperative to do so. The endowment permits experimentation for innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary majors, or cutting-edge technology. Often, other institutions will emulate these emerging improvements, benefitting students beyond the walls of the institution engaging in these efforts. Second, endowments have become a vehicle to make higher education more affordable. With many states facing increasing competition for funding, public institutions are turning toward fundraising and establishing or growing endowments to defray declines or flat state funding. Endowments at the wealthiest institutions are affording access to many students who otherwise would not be able to enroll. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Making tuition free is misleading. Eliminating student and family contributions makes college affordable for families, but how does this work if higher education still faces expenditures such as personnel, utilities, and supplies? In some ways, this is like asking a business to give away products. It is fair to assert that in the past, colleges expenditures would equal revenue, but those days are in the past. Many institutions face more stringent fiscal environments, engage in strategic fiscal recycling, and look to maximize efficiencies. Relatedly, higher education is a labor-intensive business. Despite innovations in technology, the role of the faculty is central to teaching. With approximately 80 percent of most budgets consumed with salaries and personnel costs, making college more affordable becomes a more difficult proposition without impacting the core function of higher education -- teaching. Are students and families willing to have large classes, be taught by less expensive adjuncts in return for lower costs? Or do students and families wish to sacrifice air-conditioned buildings, fewer food options in the cafeterias, less access to technology, or fewer student support services? Or will voters make funding public institutions a priority within the state budgets, to ensure less burden on students and families and more on the state? These are trade-offs that have not been acceptable to increase affordability. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Students and families need to start by examining what they want out of a degree. For some, the road to “great job prospects” may not include higher education, and this decision can impact the investment in achieving this end. For those seeking a college degree, they should seek out institutions that have stated missions and objectives that are congruent with what the student and family are looking for. What skills and abilities does the institution promise to deliver? What are the kinds of co-curricular activities promoted by the institution? Second, because of the institutional diversity, different schools will look to attract a variety of students. The ability of an institution to offer affordable aid packages can be related to the unique skills and abilities of the student. While in high school, students should develop their own set of talents and preferences, not seek out credentials that “typical” candidates possess, but are not congruent with who the student is. This self-exploration will help the student identify the type of college that may be most interested in them, and maximize the opportunities for a more affordable higher education experience. Leonard Goduto Ed.D. Program Director and Associate Professor & Chair of the Department of Graduation Education, Leadership, and Counseling at Rider University 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? I would say yes, they are worth the higher "sticker price," as they open doors that would otherwise be closed. These particular schools you are referencing have very established networks for career opportunities and advancement. I also believe that the more accomplished students and professors are found in these institutions. I do not mean to disparage public education, as I am a product for the most part, but I also completed a doctorate at Columbia, which provided me with opportunities I believe I would not have otherwise had. This becomes a sound investment in the future, for both career and financial gain over one's career. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? Obviously, the university one selects must match with the educational field they are seeking. Cost and location are also factors to consider. Students must seek out universities that meet their needs in terms of academic support as well. Many smaller, private universities can better provide that "individualized attention" that some students require. It is difficult to determine the best return on investment, as many universities provide financial options and support for many of their studies, which often equal the cost of a public education. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? It might be worthy of consideration, but I am certain that taxes would have an impact on many of the contributions. I am not convinced that would be a very effective strategy or source of revenue for government. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? I do not think college tuition should be free. There is too much of a tax burden on citizens as it is, particularly in New Jersey. The source of revenue needed would only add to that burden. If there is a financial need for students wanting to attend college, there are adequate sources for that purpose. Loans are another option. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Do your research on the university you would like to attend, and stay within your ability to pay for your education. Most importantly, have a very good sense of what it is you would like to study and ultimately seek a career in. Be certain that career has opportunities for you to earn the salary you are anticipating. Meet regularly with your college advisor, to be certain you are on track to graduate in four years or less. A five- or six-year college education is not cost-effective or necessary, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Ken Schneck Associate Professor and Director of the Leadership in Higher Education Program at Baldwin Wallace University 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? The easy answer: it depends. In terms of name recognition and networking, attending a “well-known” school can absolutely justify the cost, particularly with regards to career placement. But attending an Ivy League institution does not guarantee you a space in graduate school. Attending a “name brand” college does not cement the success of your start-up business. Will you receive individual, tailored attention from a faculty member? Will a professor work with you on a research project? Are there opportunities for you to insert your own area of interests into your academic course of study? A “yes” to any of those questions makes a school worth the high sticker price. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? You truly can’t go wrong with a comprehensive liberal arts college, with a solid internship placement program and a robust career services department. Employers are constantly reporting back that they can teach candidates specific technical and logistical skills, but not everyone is coming in with the soft skills, like working well in a group, thinking through an unforeseen dilemma, or employing creativity across departments. Liberal arts colleges provide students with these skills throughout the curricular and co-curricular experience. Couple those experiences with the opportunity to spend at least two semesters in a solid internship and a career services office with strong connections in your field of study, and the return on investment will be immediate. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? No. No. Holy heck, no. Someone is perpetuating the fallacy that universities are filling swimming pools with gold coins and swimming through them Scrooge McDuck-style. That’s just not the case. The low percentage draw that a university takes on their endowment is typically what pays for the operating costs of a university, including financial aid and support services for students. There has never been a case ever of a college Board of Trustees saying, “Let’s build up our endowment to see how much money we can get,” and then unleashing a maniacal laugh. As institutions of higher education stand exposed to the harsh winds of volatile stock markets, rapidly depleting sources of financial aid, and ballooning health care costs, a healthy endowment might be all a college has to weather an unexpected storm (both natural and economic). If the community members of an institution want to petition their Board to take more of a draw to pay for more services, let them do so. But the government taxing endowments serves no purpose. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? In an ideal world, tuition-free institutions would be optimal, but we know that just isn’t our current reality. Aside from the obvious answer of increasing the pool of financial aid (Congress, please don’t get rid of Pell Grants), we need to address the ever-present disconnect between colleges and employers. You want more highly qualified and diverse candidates for corporate/technology/education/non-profit/public sector life? Then invest more in colleges. Help fund the tuition of our leaders of tomorrow, and your pool will increase exponentially. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? First, investigate every scholarship opportunity possible. Every. Single. One. There are apps out there (Scholly) that will help you identify every source of funding, and every single student should be meeting with a financial aid counselor at some point pre-enrollment to ensure that they are not taking out more money than they need. If you are granted work-study, use it; it is shocking how many students approved for work-study funds do not exhaust the money allotted to them. The more contact you have with staff and faculty members on campus (where they actually know your name), the more networking opportunities you will emerge with at Commencement, which can make all the difference for job prospects. And, finally, get involved -- whether through leadership opportunities in clubs and organizations or going abroad, your resume needs to look different than the thousands of other students’ graduating with the same degree. The bullet points and stories of co-curricular engagement with set you apart from the pack, and give you so much more to discuss during an interview. Kenneth K. Wong Director of the Urban Education Policy Program, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Professor and Chair of Education Policy, and Professor of Political Science, Urban Studies & International and Public Affairs at Brown University 
Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? It has taken decades, and in some cases, hundreds of years of persistent efforts for the top universities to build up their endowment. Instead of having the government tax these hard-earned endowments, federal and state governments may consider targeted, extra tax incentives to enable other universities to build up their own endowments. In some universities, tax incentives may enable them to raise additional endowments to construct a new science complex or a series of biotech laboratories. Others may enhance their performing arts initiatives with the new endowments. In other words, instead of using "disincentives" to reduce the purchasing power of the endowments (due to taxation), the government can promote new targeted incentives to broaden the fiscal capacity of many more higher education institutions across the country. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Universities can partner with their local public schools to offer merit-based scholarships to some of the graduating seniors through a competitive process. Top institutions can continue to guarantee "needs blind" practice in their admissions for students who come from certain income brackets. Finally, universities can replace loans with grants for their students who are income-eligible -- for example, Brown University has recently announced a new initiative, Brown Promise, to address this issue. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? A key element of choosing the right university or college to attend pertains to making a sound financial decision. Financial education needs to start as early as elementary and middle school. In promoting financial education, schools can support students to develop the skills and knowledge on investment decisions and long-term financial planning. Further, schools and non-profit organizations need to ensure that information on financial aid and scholarship is accessible to all students, especially those who will become first-generation college students. Some universities have specific financial aid initiative, such as Brown Promise, which was recently announced by Brown University. The combination of financial decision-making skills and information access will enable students to manage their investment and debt more effectively. Kara Jones Education and Early Childhood Development Instructor at the University of Arkansas Community College Morrilton 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? I am an education and early childhood development instructor, so no, the name brand schools are not worth the sticker price. Careers in education and early childhood development have lower salaries than many professions requiring a bachelor’s degree. This in itself is an epidemic and a sad reflection on our nation. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? Community colleges. I firmly believe it is better to receive the first two years of a bachelor’s degree from a community college, especially when it could be half price of a four-year institution. Also, community colleges are more developmentally appropriate for traditional students. Many four-year colleges provide too much autonomy to 18-year-olds. Their brains are not mature enough to deal with the decisions given to them. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? If they are for-profit, then yes, if not, no. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? No. Free things create little accountability. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Volunteer, study, make good grades, have good attendance, use the college and high school resources (tutors, study labs, etc.) to prepare for class. If possible, have cooperative relationships with your professors and fellow students. In everything you do, be great. Even if you're the drive through person at McDonald's (like I was at one time), always do your best. Someone will notice. Jonathan J. Sanford Professor of Philosophy and Dean of the Constantin College of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? It is not the case that a student would necessarily receive a better education at an Ivy League school. In fact, I am confident that many liberal arts universities, particularly those with a rigorous and integrated core curriculum -- like one finds at the University of Dallas -- provide a better undergraduate education. The University of Dallas, for instance, provides the education that used to be present at the Ivy League schools, which established their reputations -- and that education is made available to every student. But there are, of course, excellent professors at Ivy League schools, and an individual student under the guidance of an effective advisor can have an outstanding education. Moreover, the benefits of reputation are hard to evaluate, and there is no question that an Ivy League degree opens doors. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? Recent studies have shown time and again that liberal arts education provide the best long-term return on investment. What makes those schools unique is the way in which they help students learn how they can best live. But they also provide an education that makes them more creative, more versatile, more articulate, and more capable of shifting from one career path to the next. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? To whom would those monies go? How can one reconcile that government intervention with the intentions of the donors who built up those endowments? What would be far better than a government tax imposed on those institutions is their voluntary participation in a number of programs to help transform the lives of their students and other interested parties, especially those who live nearest to those institutions. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? Nothing is for free. Free tuition would come with many entanglements that would most likely unravel just the sort of educational practices that would most benefit students. College tuition would be more affordable if colleges focused more on their essential activity of educating students well, rather than competing with each other in an amenities-race. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Take advantage of grants, don't live like you have a career yet (you don't need many of the amenities you think you need -- pack your meals rather than eating out, shop for clothes at second hand stores, don't buy a car, etc.), and follow your passion. John L. Hoffman Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership & Director of the Doctor of Educational Leadership Program at California State University, Fullerton 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? Let me start with a flawed analogy. As someone who typically drives General Motors vehicles, I believe that there are real differences in quality when going from a Chevy to a GMC, and then to a Buick or Cadillac. That said, is a Bentley really worth three times as much as a Cadillac? I don't see it. But this analogy is flawed because every one of those investments will depreciate in value over time. Perhaps a better comparison is the difference between purchasing a new home in the nice neighborhoods of Sioux Falls, Denver, or San Francisco. You certainly need to pay a lot more to get into the San Francisco market, but if you hold onto that investment over time, the property in San Francisco is also likely to appreciate at a much higher rate. I suppose that's a long answer, but I think it's instructive and gets to a fundamental flaw in many people's thinking about the cost of higher education. Mind you, I'm not going out of my way to try to get my kids into Harvard or Yale, but if that's where they want to go, I'd be confident that the financial investment would pay off over time. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? If your primary measure is financial, then I'd say that community colleges and state colleges provide a very high return on investment, especially in California, where the tuition is low. Additionally, these schools do a great job of promoting access, so students learn with diverse peers that will make up the heart of our future workforce. For students, these institutions are affordable, and the value of the education will continue to appreciate for a lifetime. For the community, the return on investment in terms of long-term economic development is great, especially since a large proportion of the graduates from these institutions remain in the region. I also believe that small liberal arts colleges provide a powerful, transformational experience for students, especially if they have a strong commitment to educational access. A local example that I think does great work is the University of La Verne. Because of the small size, the student learning that happens outside the classroom as well as inside the classroom increases in significant ways. Given the Internet and the emergence of artificial intelligence, I believe it's the holistic outcomes of higher education that will make the greatest difference in the future. As computers do more to not only make information accessible, but also to solve complex problems, society will desperately need citizens with strong critical thinking and critical caring skills and dispositions. We know that individuals who graduate from college not only make more money, but they are less likely to become divorced, more likely to be strong parents, to engage in leadership and civic activities, to give philanthropically, to live healthy lifestyles, and on and on. I think small liberal arts colleges do a great job with these outcomes, and they will be the ones that will make the greatest difference in the future. I have no doubt about it -- access-minded liberal arts degrees are the key to the future. And don't get me wrong, elite liberal arts colleges and research universities are great schools, and they do fine work in terms of student learning in and out of the classroom. However, even when they are racially diverse (and too many are not), they rarely have the type of diversity that you will see at community colleges, state colleges, and smaller access-minded liberal arts colleges. To the degree that I can, that's where I'm steering my kids. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? I would do more to advocate the opposite. I think we should do more to create tax incentives and rewards for charitable giving. In the California State University System, we often talk about the shifts from being state-funded to state-supported, and maybe someday to state-located. I do not see how the tax basis in the state of California can continue to fund the needs of the state's higher education system on its own. It's more complex than I am presenting here, and there are pros and cons to every model, but I'd like to see more incentives for philanthropic giving. That will support higher institutions as they work to grow their endowments, and to do that, they will need to refine their mission, connect with donors, and demonstrate that philanthropic investments lead to measured outcomes. Again, it's a complex issue, and I can shoot several holes in my approach, but it's the model that I believe has the greatest long-term potential to continue to stimulate high-quality and accessible higher education in the United States. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? I'm not a fan of free tuition for all. The higher education system in the United States needs a lot of work in many areas, but it is still the envy of the rest of the world. The colleges and universities in countries where tuition is free for everyone are okay, but they are certainly not the envy of the rest of the world. I don't see how the government could afford to pay the tuition bill for all students while helping American colleges and universities maintain, and ultimately continue to improve quality in the years to come. As a point of context, my wife and I both work in higher education. I wouldn't say we're paid what we're worth, and I know we could make more money in other industries, but we also live a comfortable life, and we can afford to help pay for our kids' college tuition. I think we should. What I would like to see is greater support to ensure that every family with annual incomes of two or three times the poverty line and below has the opportunity for free tuition. I think maintaining lower-cost options for all is also important, and I would really love to see greater emphasis on providing aid beyond tuition for our poorest students, so that they not only have full access to admission, but also to completion. And I would like to maintain systems through which financial aid goes to students who choose their college or university and take their aid dollars with them, rather than sending dollars directly to colleges and universities. I believe this stimulates a healthy form of competition. Of course, it also requires that higher education systems hold institutions accountable to be transparent and honest, so that when students choose to take their dollars to an institution, they have a fair and honest sense of what to expect in terms of outcomes for their investment. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? The first thing I would say is that colleges and universities must do a better job with financial literacy education for their students. Colleges and universities need to be more intrusive in helping students make wise decisions about taking on debt, and in some cases, that means advising students to take out a loan. I have seen students turn a four-year degree into a six- or seven-year one in order to avoid taking out loans. Instead, they work 20-30 hours a week, in jobs that do not pay well and that provide minimal benefits, and the process compromises the quality of their education -- in some cases, it becomes a barrier to completion. For some students, it is wise to take out a small or moderate loan, work 10-15 hours a week, and finish in four years. That way, they get to a full-time job with better pay and benefits faster. Students often do not count the opportunity cost of not graduating and getting to that better job when calculating the cost of higher education. Of course, I would also tell any student to do some homework and determine a reasonable expectation for their annual salary, and use that value as the limit for their loans. For example, the average starting salary for PK-12 teachers in California is about $40,000 a year. Though many starting teachers do much better, my advice to college students who want to become teachers in California is to limit their loans to no more than $40,000. At California State Fullerton, where I work, tuition and fees are less than $7,000 a year, or $28,000 for a four-year degree. Earning the teaching credential requires one additional year at a cost of just under $8,000, for a grand total of $36,000. Thus, the entire cost of their education is less than their starting salary once they finish. The cost of higher education is increasing at an alarming rate, but there are still high-quality, affordable options for students to earn a college degree and pursue a meaningful career. John L. Anderson Partner in the Schoolhouse Partners Education Consulting Group at Fort Lewis College 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? Yes. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? Flagship state universities, like the University of Colorado Boulder. Given that the top 25 universities hold 52% of all endowment wealth, should the government consider taxing endowments of the wealthiest universities? No. Should college be tuition free? How else can we work to make college more affordable? This is a state decision. It is a good idea when state economics allow this. We should not forget that tuition covers only half of the cost of attendance. What tips do you have for a student looking to graduate with minimal debt and great job prospects? Students need to consider all postsecondary options available, including concurrent enrollment with guaranteed transfer, and obtaining a credential or merit badge leading more directly to a job. Jody Jessup-Anger Associate Professor of Higher Education at Marquette University 
Are Ivy League and other “name brand” schools worth the high sticker price? The concept of sticker price, especially at elite colleges and universities, is often misleading, because many students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships or grants to offset the cost of tuition, with the result being a much lower cost to the student than the sticker price. In recent years, there has been a lot of headway in demystifying the costs of college. Most institutions have net price calculators on their websites. These calculators are also available at the National Center for Educational Statistics, the College Board, and other sites. While not yet perfect, these resources help prospective students determine their estimated cost of attendance based on their family income and assets. Many students will not pay the sticker price to attend an elite college, and many of those who do can afford to. One of the great benefits and unique characteristics of U.S. higher education is the variety in institutional types students can choose to attend -- public or private; secular or religious; large, medium, or small; liberal arts, STEM or other specialty focus, and so on. The “worth” of the collegiate experience is often a function of fit, students’ interests, and their goals for their education. Public community colleges and four-year institutions remain affordable for most students who are studying within their state of residence -- or those that take advantage of reciprocity agreements forged by their states. What type of universities do you think provide the best return on investment? There is definitive research indicating that the college or university students attend is less important than the sum of experiences they have at that institution. Thus, the return on investment is not nearly as dependent on where they go to college, but is rather determined by the effort they put into their educational pursuits and the opportunities they take advantage of on the campus they are attending (assuming they are at an accredited institution). Even so, the amount of debt taken on by a student is often offset by their higher average lifetime earnings. The universities that provide the best return on investment are those in which students can graduate within a reasonable amount of time, while having engaged in meaningful educational experiences that lead to key educational outcomes. The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) has identified four essential learning outcomes that students need to contribute to a nation “dependent on economic creativity and democratic vitality.” Among the learning outcomes identified by the AAC&U are:
- Knowledge of human cultures and the physical world;
- Intellectual and practical skills;
- Personal and social responsibility;
- Integrative and applied learning.
In order to determine the best higher-education institutions in the U.S., WalletHub’s analysts compared 969 colleges and universities across seven key dimensions: 1) Student Selectivity, 2) Cost & Financing, 3) Faculty Resources, 4) Campus Safety, 5) Campus Experience, 6) Educational Outcomes and 7) Career Outcomes.
We evaluated those dimensions using 27 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the best school performance and the most favorable conditions for undergraduate students during and after attendance.
Finally, we determined each school’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its total score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.
In constructing our sample, we took into account the following types of institutions:
- Public, four-year or above
- Private, not-for-profit, four-year or above
Institutions were considered colleges if they provide only undergraduate, or baccalaureate degree, programs, universities if they offer graduate, including masters and/or doctoral degree, programs. (Separate rankings for universities and for colleges also are available on WalletHub.)
Some institutions were excluded from our sample due to data limitations. Data collected is relevant to undergraduate students only.
Student Selectivity – Total Points: 25- Admission Rate: Triple Weight (~12.50 Points)Note: This metric was calculated using the following formula: Total Number of Admissions / Total Number of Applicants.
- 25th Percentile of ACT/SAT Score: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)Note: This metric refers to the figure below which 25 percent of students scored.
- 75th Percentile of ACT/SAT Score: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)Note: This metric refers to the figure above which 25 percent of students scored.
- Share of Freshmen in Top 10 Percent of High School Graduating Class: Full Weight (~4.17 Points)
- Net Cost: Triple Weight (~12.00 Points)
- Availability of Employment Services for Students: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of “activities intended to assist students in obtaining part-time employment as a means of defraying part of the cost of their education,” as described by the National Center for Education Statistics, as follows:
- 1 - Yes
- 0 - No
- N/A - Not reported/not applicable
- Student-Loan Debt: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the average amount of student loans awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student-Faculty Ratio: Double Weight (~5.00 Points)
- Average Class Size: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)
- Share of Full-time Professors among Total Full-Time Instructional Staff: Half Weight (~1.25 Points)
- Share of Full-Time Faculty: Quarter Weight (~0.63 Points)
- Faculty Staff Salary: Quarter Weight (~0.63 Points)Note: This metric was adjusted by the cost-of-living index.
- On-Campus Arrests: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric was calculated using the following formula: Total On-Campus Arrests / Total Enrollment.
- On-Campus Crime: Full Weight (~2.50 Points)Note: This metric was calculated using the following formula: Total On-Campus Crimes / Total Enrollment.
- Share of International Students: Double Weight (~2.00 Points)
- NCAA Membership: Full Weight (~1.00 Point)Note: This binary metric considers whether the university is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as follows:
- 1: Member of NCAA
- 0: Not a member of NCAA
- Availability of Study-Abroad Program: Full Weight (~1.00 Point)Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of a study-abroad program, an arrangement by which a student completes part of his or her college program studying in another country, as follows:
- 1: Study-abroad program available
- 0: Study-abroad program not available
- Gender Diversity: Half Weight (~0.50 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index method, a commonly accepted measure of market concentration that also works effectively as a general-purpose measure of diversity.
- Racial Diversity: Half Weight (~0.50 Points)Note: This metric is based on the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index method, a commonly accepted measure of market concentration that also works effectively as a general-purpose measure of diversity.
- Retention Rate: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of the fall full-time cohort from the prior year minus exclusions from the fall full-time cohort that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.
- Graduation Rate: Double Weight (~8.00 Points)
- Credentials Awarded per Undergraduate Enrollment: Full Weight (~4.00 Points)Note: “Credentials” refers to bachelor’s degrees as well as certificates.
- Return on Educational Investment: Double Weight (~4.29 Points)Note: This metric measures the ratio of starting salary for graduates to cost of education.
- Post-Attendance Median Salary: Double Weight (~4.29 Points)Note: This metric measures the median earnings — 10 years after entering the school — of former students who received federal financial aid.
- Share of Former Students Outearning High School Graduates: Full Weight (~2.14 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of former students earning more than $25,000, or about the average earnings of a high school graduate aged 25 to 34, six years after they first enrolled.
- Share of Students Reducing Their Debt: Full Weight (~2.14 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of students who have repaid at least $1 of the principal balance on their federal loans within three years of leaving school.
- Student-Loan Default Rate: Full Weight (~2.14 Points)
Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from National Center for Education Statistics, Council for Community and Economic Research, U.S. Department of Education, COLLEGEdata and PayScale.
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