Gustavus Shows Breadth, Depth in National Rankings

It’s rankings season in higher education, and Gustavus has once again landed some impressive recognition from multiple outlets.

Although the methodologies vary by publication (see below), Gustavus scores particularly well on measures such as social mobility (how well a school graduates economically disadvantaged students), economic opportunity (how well a school’s grads leave college with manageable debt), excellence of faculty, and overall quality.

Among the 2024 highlights:

• US News and World Report’s flagship rankings placed Gustavus as the #66 national liberal arts college overall, up one slot from last year, and #4 in Minnesota. The publication also named Gustavus the #14 national liberal arts college for social mobility, reflecting how the College attracts Pell-eligible students, graduates them on time, and prepares them for professional success.
• Forbes named Gustavus the #2 private college in Minnesota and the #3 college, public or private, in the state. The magazine’s rankings focus on schools “that produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.”
• Washington Monthly recognized Gustavus in multiple categories, including #18 nationally among liberal arts colleges, #15 for Pell performance in that cohort, #19 for social mobility, and #10 in community and national service. The publication also cited Gustavus as #1 in Minnesota for Pell performance; #25 among all Midwest colleges in “Bang for the Buck,” which measures how well schools “attain marketable degrees at affordable prices”; and #16 nationally among all colleges for the opportunities it creates for STEM-focused women in mathematics and natural resources.
• Niche.com named Gustavus one of the top 10 colleges in Minnesota for professor quality (#2), our Education and Communication departments (#3 for each), Political Science (#4)—even best food (#5).
• CollegeRaptor.com slotted Gustavus as the #25 college overall in the Plains region.
• Earlier this summer, Money magazine, which evaluates schools based on affordability and student outcomes, gave Gustavus 4.5 stars (out of 5) in its annual rankings, citing the College’s community service, close-knit culture, and breadth of major options.

As this volume and variety of recognition indicates, Gustavus remains broadly competitive during a pivotal time in higher education, respected by evaluators and peers across the country for our ability to serve a wide variety of students and thoroughly prepare them for future success. Keep it up, Gusties!