Eastern Mennonite University is ranked among the Best Regional Universities in the South and has earned additional accolades in U.S. News and World Report’s recently released 2020 Best Colleges rankings.
The publication released the rankings on Sept. 9.
EMU’s other recognitions as a regional university in the South include a ranking as a Best Value School, among the Top Performers on Social Mobility, and a ranking as a Least Debt Class of 2017 University.
“Rankings such as these validate our commitment to superb educational experiences that prepare all students for fulfilling lives and careers in their communities,” said President Susan Schultz Huxman.
For its 35th annual rankings, U.S. News and World Report collected data from 1,400 colleges and universities, considering academic quality and outcome measures, such as graduation rates, retention rates and social mobility, according to its press release.
The annual U.S. News and World Report rankings top a growing list of recognitions. EMU was recently listed by the Sierra Club as a “Cool School” for its dedication to sustainability and environmentalism. Other recognitions include:
- 2019 Washington Monthly Master’s University Rankings
- 2018 Forbes “Grateful Grads” Index
- 2018 Forbes Best Return on Investment (ROI) University
- 2018 Princeton Review Green College Rankings
- 2018 Best Colleges for Your Money/TIME
In the Top Regional Universities category, EMU ranked in the top 35 in the South while being compared with public and private schools throughout 12 states.
Formulations for the Best Value School rankings are based on the ratio of quality to price, percentage of students receiving need-based aid and the average discount provided by need-based aid.
Social mobility is measured as how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants (those typically coming from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000).