Gustavus ranks as the best college or university in Minnesota and #35 in the nation on The New York Times‘ College Access Index, which was released on Thursday, May 25. The third annual ranking looks at the commitment to economic diversity among the top colleges and universities in the country.
The rankings, which were limited to colleges and universities with a five-year graduation rate of over 75 percent, examined the percentage of students that receive a Federal Pell Grant and the graduation rate of those students. By multiplying those numbers, The New York Times calculated a “Pell Grad Share” that is combined with the average net price for middle-income students to determine each school’s College Access Index score. Scores above the average of 1.0 indicate the most institutional effort in ensuring economic diversity. Gustavus, with a Pell Grad Share of 21 and average net tuition for those students of approximately $17,000 per year, has an overall College Access Index of 1.16.
“At Gustavus, we’re committed to providing access and affordability to students from all walks of life,” Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Kirk Carlson said. “It’s important to note that this designation means that not only are Pell-eligible students encouraged to choose Gustavus, but that we work hard to ensure that they graduate on time and are well-prepared for professional life. I’d like to thank our faculty and staff for their commitment to supporting all of our talented students.”
Visit The New York Times website to learn more about the College Access Index and the methodology behind the rankings.
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