In the News
Muskingum University Ranks 2nd Among Ohio Schools in U.S. News & World Report University Rankings for Second Year in a Row
Muskingum University continues to be a top performer among Ohio universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2023 rankings for the Regional Midwest. The University ranked 2nd among Ohio universities in Best Value Schools and 2nd among Ohio universities in Top Performers in Social Mobility. This is the second year the University has ranked second among Ohio universities in both these categories.
“Muskingum University is continuing to provide access to an affordable education,” President Susan S. Hasseler said. “The rankings acknowledge the work we are doing and the excellent education we provide to our students.”
Affordability matters in finding the best fit school. To determine which colleges and universities offer the best value for students, U.S. News & World Report factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid. According to U.S. News & World Report, “only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically.”
At Muskingum University, 98 percent of the undergraduate population receives financial aid, which is made possible through support received from alumni and friends of the University in addition to state and federal funds. With that financial aid, the cost to attend Muskingum is comparable to that of Ohio’s four-year public institutions.
Students with economic challenges are less likely than others to finish college. The Top Performers in Social Mobility rankings are given to schools that focus on students who are from low-income backgrounds, by “enrolling and graduating students who received federal Pell Grants.” Social mobility considers graduation rates for students who received federal Pell Grants, financial aid that is typically reserved for those with annual household family incomes below $50,000. Close to half of Muskingum’s undergraduate students are eligible for Pell Grants.
“Muskingum is providing a quality education for students who may not have otherwise been able to attend a private university,” Hasseler said. “At Muskingum, we educate the whole person for the whole world and are committed to ensuring that all students have the opportunity for this kind of education.”
The 2023 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings are now in its 38th year. The latest edition assesses 1,500 U.S. bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality.
