04 September 2018
Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings provides an alternative approach to the ranking of American institutions of higher education. The magazine ranks four-year schools based on their contribution to society, which is assessed by three criteria: social mobility, research and service.
Social mobility is measured by graduation rates, the number of students receiving Pell grants, affordability and graduate financial success.
Research is based on total research spending, doctorates in science and engineering, undergraduate alumni receiving doctorates, and faculty receiving awards and in National Academies,
Service is assessed by military service, membership of the Peace Corps, community service projects, the provision of funds for students undertaking national service, and programs that encourage student voting.
The latest edition shows that Ivy League schools continue to perform well but some less well-known colleges show that they can provide value for money for students and stakeholders.
The top five national universities are:
- Harvard University
- Stanford University
- Massachusetts Institute of technology (MIT)
- Princeton University
- Yale University.
The top five liberal arts colleges are:
- Berea College, Kentucky
- Washington and Lee University, Virginia
- Harvey Mudd College, California
- Amherst College, Massachusetts
- Bowdoin College, Maine.
The top five Baccalaureate colleges are:
- Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, New York
- Goshen College, Indiana
- College of the Ozarks Missouri
- Cedar Crest College, Pennsylvania
- Montana State University Northern.
The top five master’s universities are:
- Evergreen State College, Washington
- SUNY Geneseo, New York
- California State University San Bernardino
- California State University Stanislaus
- California State University Bakersfield.
Source:
Washington Monthly
