What’s in a Number? Grinnell College Performs Well in National Rankings
Today, several organizations publish annual college rankings, which attract attention from prospective students and their families.
“While no ranking system captures the full experience of institutions, we know that many of the national and international college rankings are important to our constituents. The metrics that are part of the various ranking systems are indicative of how Grinnell’s value and experiences are understood in higher education,” says Grinnell College President Anne F. Harris.
Best Liberal Arts College
In the latest U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, released on Sept. 18, Grinnell College climbed to #11 on the list of top 20 National Liberal Arts Colleges — up from #15 last year. Five colleges tied for the #11 spot: Barnard, Claremont McKenna, Middlebury, Wesleyan University, and Grinnell. This achievement exemplifies our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Since U.S. News & World Report began ranking America’s best colleges and universities in 1983, Grinnell has maintained its place among the 20 best National Liberal Arts Colleges.
U.S. News & World Report ranks more than 1,400 bachelor’s degree–granting institutions in the United States on 17 measures of academic quality. The full results are available on the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges website.
In addition to the overall rankings, Grinnell shines in several subcategories as well:
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#6 — Undergraduate Teaching
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#7 — Best Value School
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#31 — Top Performers on Social Mobility
Grinnell’s remarkable improvement in the Top Performers on Social Mobility — from #102 last year to #31 this year — is directly tied to the College’s #7 ranking for Best Value. Harris explains that Grinnell’s commitment to generous no-loan financial aid means a Grinnell education can be affordable for qualified students regardless of their families’ ability to pay.
Harris adds, “We are strongly committed to providing equitable access to education, regardless of financial status.” Thanks to the College’s no-loan program, which replaces loans with scholarships in financial aid packages for students with demonstrated financial need, admitted students from all socioeconomic levels can earn a first-class education and continue to pursue their goals after graduation without a significant burden of college-loan debt.
Grinnell is one of only about 15 colleges and universities among more than 4,000 in the United States that have such a policy.
As Harris notes and the rankings bear out, Grinnell is one institution that has taken action to match its words. She says, “Being recognized in this way reflects the hard work and commitment demonstrated by our entire community, which is dedicated to providing students with an education that can serve as a foundation for a productive and rewarding life and career that contributes to the common good.”
Other pertinent rankings include:
- #6 — Undergraduate teaching Programs – National Liberal Arts Colleges
- #7 — Most Innovative – National Liberal Arts Colleges
- #24 — Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects
- A+ — Academics
- A+ — Diversity
- A+ — Professors
- #10 — Best Classroom Experience
- #11 — Best Financial Aid – Private (one of only 15 schools to receive the highest possible score on the financial aid rankings)
- #15 — LGBTQ-Friendly
- #35 — Top 50 Best Value Colleges
