U.S. News: Muskingum University ranks at top of Ohio universities for Regional Midwest
NEW CONCORD − Muskingum University is the top performer among Ohio universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 rankings for the Regional Midwest.
The university ranked first among Ohio universities in best value schools and first among Ohio universities in top performers in social mobility. It ranked eight and 10th, respectively, among all universities in the Regional Midwest.
“Muskingum University has been and continues to be committed to providing access to an affordable and excellent education,” said President Susan Hasseler. “The rankings acknowledge the work we are doing to provide a high-quality educational experience for all 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 the publication, “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 college in addition to state and federal funds. With that financial aid, the cost to attend Muskingum U is comparable to 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.
The 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings are now in its 39th year. The latest edition assesses 1,500 U.S. bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on 19 measures of academic quality.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: U.S. News ranks Muskingum University first among Ohio universities
