College Rankings

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Lawrence ranks among ‘Best Value Schools’ in the country, places 4th on Impact Schools list

Lawrence University has been recognized as one of the “Best Value Schools” in the country by The Princeton Review, ranking No. 4 in the category of best schools for making an impact.

Photo of the cover of the book, "The Best Value Colleges"
Lawrence University is included in the newly released book from The Princeton Review, “The Best Value Colleges.”

Lawrence is one of 200 schools selected for inclusion in the 2019 edition of the newly released book, The Best Value Colleges: 200 Schools with Exceptional ROI for Your Tuition Investment.

ROI references Return on Investment.

Within the book, Lawrence is ranked No. 4 in the category of Impact Schools, a category driven by student ratings of their experiences on campus, including student engagement, service, government and sustainability, and by the percentage of alumni who report that their jobs have “high meaning.”

In The Best Value Colleges – an annual release that was previously titled Colleges That Pay You Back – “we recommend the colleges we consider the nation’s best for academics, affordability, and career prospects,” according to the book’s editors at The Princeton Review.

The 200 schools that were selected were not ranked in any particular order. But within the book, Top 25 rankings were done in several categories, including Impact Schools.

The book lauds Lawrence for its academic strategies, including the Freshman Studies program, its “significant financial aid and scholarship opportunities,” its social activities that have “an altruistic bent” and its effective career services outreach to graduating students.

The ranking is one more reminder that the value of a Lawrence education continues to resonate long after graduation day.

“Lawrence has been transforming students’ lives for generations,” said Ken Anselment, Vice President for Enrollment and Communication. “So we are thrilled that the Princeton Review, which started measuring this phenomenon a few years ago, has once again rated the experience of our alumni so highly.”

The book highlights Lawrence’s commitment to financial aid and scholarships.

Lawrence has garnered national attention for its “Full Speed to Full Need” campaign designed to help bridge the financial gap for students who show a demonstrated need. The campaign has raised more than $74 million since 2014 and Lawrence is on its way to becoming one of only about 70 universities nationwide to be designated as full-need institutions.

Bolstered by a $30 million matching gift to kick off the campaign, the school has made a bold commitment to “make Lawrence accessible and affordable by meeting the full demonstrated financial need of every student.”

The Impact School ranking, meanwhile, speaks to the experience on campus and beyond.

“When families are considering the return on their investment in a college,” Anselment said, “we like to talk about this particular ranking because it highlights that Lawrentians feel that their careers and lives have meaning and that they are truly making a difference in the world.

“What better outcome could you ask for from a college experience?”

U.S. News 2016 college rankings: Lawrence cited for academic quality, teaching excellence and overall value

Overall academic excellence, exceptional value and terrific teachers earned Lawrence University recognition in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 “America’s Best Colleges” just-released (9/9) report.

U.S.-News-Rankings_newsblogLawrence remained Wisconsin’s highest-ranked liberal arts college at 57th among 235 national liberal arts colleges and universities in the magazine’s 29th annual guide.

Lawrence also was named to U.S. News’ Great Schools/Great Prices list, one of only 40 national liberal arts colleges cited as a great value based on an institution’s academic quality and the 2014-2015 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

A hallmark of Lawrence — excellent teaching — was recognized on U.S. News’ list of institutions with the best undergraduate teaching. Lawrence tied for 12th on a list of 34 national liberal arts colleges based on a peer assessment survey in which college presidents, provosts and admission deans were asked to identify schools where the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.U.S.-News-Rankings_newsblog_2

The guide’s list of best colleges for veterans included Lawrence as well — 42nd among 56 national liberal arts colleges that made the list. To be included on the best colleges for veterans list, a school must be certified for the GI Bill® and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

“Rankings get a lot of attention,” said Ken Anselment, dean of admissions and financial aid, “but for us, the attention is really on strengthening an environment where every Lawrentian can thrive and succeed. Positive rankings like the ones by U.S. News are nice by-products of the excellent work our faculty, staff and students are doing every day.”

U.S. News’ annual rankings of nearly 1,400 of the nation’s public and private four-year schools are based on data from up to 16 separate factors, each of which is assigned a “weight” that reflects the magazine editor’s judgment as to how much that measure matters. Each school’s composite weighted score is then compared to peer institutions to determine final rankings.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence featured in 2016 edition of Fiske Guide to Colleges

Cited for its “outstanding liberal arts curriculum, knowledgeable and caring faculty, an administration that treats students like adults and charming setting,” Lawrence University once again has earned a spot in former New York Times education editor Edward Fiske’s annual guide of the top colleges and universities in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.Fiske-Guide_#3_newsblog

Since 1985, the annual “Fiske Guide to Colleges” has offered a selective, subjective and systematic look at approximately 300 of the “best and most interesting” schools as a resource for college-bound students, their parents and high school guidance counselors. Institutions featured in the guide are profiled on everything from academics, social life and financial aid to the campus setting, housing and extracurricular activities.

In his 2016 guide, Fiske, who spent 17 years as education editor of the New York Times, calls Lawrence “unpretentious” and describes its academic climate as “intimate and intense” and the social life as “varied and eclectic.” With its renowned conservatory of music, Fiske says Lawrence appeals “to both the left and right side of students’ brains.”

Fiske launched his guide as a tool to broaden students’ horizons about American higher education and help them select a college that best coincides with their particular needs, goals, interests, talents and personalities.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence Cited Among Nation’s Best Values by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Lawrence University has been named one of the country’s best values among private colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance in its 2014 annual list of the top 100 private universities and top 100 liberal arts colleges from among the nation’s more than 2,100 four-year, not-for-profit, public and private colleges.

Best Values NewsblogLawrence, ranked 96th, and the other schools selected for the 2014 list, represent the colleges that provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost. Kiplinger’s draws its list from colleges that exemplify the attributes parents and students look for in higher education, including small class sizes, a good freshman retention rate and a high four-year graduation rate.

“It may seem counterintuitive to have so many private colleges—which generally look quite expensive—listed as ‘values,’” said Ken Anselment, Lawrence’s dean of admissions and financial aid, “but Kiplinger’s has hit the right notes in their assessment by shining a light on the return on the investment. It’s a subtle, but important shift in perspective.”

In compiling its rankings, Kiplinger’s measure academic quality and affordability. Academic criteria include the student admission rate, the test scores of incoming freshmen, student-faculty ratio, and the four- and five-year graduation rates. On the cost side, Kiplinger’s measures the sticker price, the availability and average amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, and the average student debt at graduation.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence Ranked 59th Nationally in U.S. News’ 2014 America’s Best College Guide

Lawrence University was ranked 59th nationally among 240 national liberal arts colleges and universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 “America’s Best Colleges” report released today (9/10).U.S. News Best Colleges Guide_newsblog

No Wisconsin college was ranked higher than Lawrence among eight Wisconsin institutions in the national liberal arts category.

“Rankings are but one way colleges can be compared. We’re focusing our efforts on making Lawrence the best liberal arts experience possible,” said President Mark Burstein. “The strength of our liberal arts and conservatory education will be enjoyed by one of our most diverse classes ever.”

Geographically, nearly 50 percent of this year’s new students hail from states beyond Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, including 12 percent who are from outside the United States, the largest percentage of freshmen international students since at least 2000. Additionally, 19 percent of this year’s freshmen are domestic students of color.

Lawrence’s commitment to close faculty-student interaction and small classes was reflected in its high rate of classes with 20 students or fewer (78 percent). Lawrence was one of only 30 schools among the 240 in the category with that high of a percentage.

For more information on the criteria used in their evaluation of nearly 1,400 of the nation’s public and private four-year colleges, visit U.S. News.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2014 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

 

Lawrence University Ranked 56th Nationally in U.S. News’ Annual “America’s Best Colleges” Guide

Lawrence University retained its standing as the top-ranked liberal arts college in Wisconsin in U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 “America’s Best Colleges” report.

Lawrence was ranked 56th nationally — up from 60th last year — among 239 national liberal arts colleges and universities.  Lawrence was the highest ranked college among eight Wisconsin institutions in the category.  Lawrence also was Wisconsin’s top-ranked college by Forbes in its college guide released last month.

U.S. News’ annual rankings are based on a combination of subjective information such as academic reputation (22.5%) and quantitative measures that education experts have proposed as reliable indicators of academic quality, including graduation and retention rates (20%), faculty resources (20%) student selectivity (15%) and alumni giving rates (5%), among others.

Lawrence showed improvement in several of the categories used in the ranking methodology including number of incoming students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class (46%), freshman retention rate (89%), graduation rate (77%), and acceptance rate (53%). Lawrence’s commitment to individualized learning and small classes was reflected in its high rate of classes with 20 students or fewer (75%), one of only 30 schools among the 239 in the category with that high of a percentage.

“It’s nice to be recognized by this ranking, especially for our individualized learning,” said Ken Anselment, dean of admissions and financial aid at Lawrence. “It would be even nicer if the magazine counted all of the one-on-one courses we do at Lawrence, of which there are many. It’s an essential point of distinction for us, but unfortunately, U.S. News only counts classes with enrollments of at least two.”

While the national recognition is appreciated, Anselment says families should consider all college guides as but one tool in their college selection process.

“College rankings value different things according to their own system. The best way to discover if a college matches with your values is to experience it yourself by engaging with it as much as possible before deciding to enroll.

“Regardless of how each service assembles its rankings,” he added, “Lawrence will continue doing what it does best: providing a transformative learning experience that educates students as unique individuals.”

In compiling its 2013 “America’s Best Colleges” guide, U.S. News & World Report evaluated nearly 1,500 of the nation’s public and private four-year schools, using data from up to 16 separate factors, each of which is assigned a “weight” that reflects the magazine editor’s judgment as to how much that measure matters.  Each school’s composite weighted score is then compared to peer institutions to determine final rankings.

Institutions are divided into several distinct categories. In addition to the best liberal arts college category that measures national institutions like Lawrence, other rankings are based on universities that grant master and doctorate degrees and colleges that are considered “regional” institutions.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2013 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,450 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Lawrence University Tops Wisconsin Colleges in Annual Forbes Rankings

For the fifth consecutive year, Lawrence University was ranked first among 13 Wisconsin colleges included on Forbes’ annual ranking of “America’s Top Colleges.”

The 2013 Forbes report, prepared by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity, lists Lawrence 85th among 650 of the nation’s leading undergraduate colleges, 75th among private colleges and 16th among Midwestern colleges.

The rankings are based on five categories: post graduate career success, student satisfaction and retention rate, student debt, four-year graduation rates and competitive awards, such as Rhodes, Fulbright and Watson scholarships.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2013 and the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,450 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries. Follow Lawrence on Facebook.

Lawrence University Ranked 60th Nationally in U.S. News’ “America’s Best Colleges” Guide

Lawrence University was ranked 60th among 236 national liberal arts colleges and universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 “America’s Best Colleges” report released today (9/13).

U.S. News’ annual guide combines subjective information such as peer assessment with a statistical analysis of various factors it considers indicative of academic excellence — graduation rates, student retention and acceptance rates, among others — to determine its rankings.

Lawrence had strong showings in several of the categories used in the ranking methodology, including number of incoming students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class (43 percent), freshman retention rate (88 percent), graduation rate (73 percent), full-time faculty (93 percent), alumni giving rate (40 percent) and classes with less than 20 students (78%). Only 16 schools had a higher percentage of classes with an enrollment of 20 or less, a reflection of Lawrence’s commitment to individualized learning and small classes.

Lists and rankings of a numerous other niche categories are included in the guide. Lawrence was ranked 24th nationally in a survey of guidance counselors from America’s best high schools who were asked which liberal arts colleges they think offer the best education to their students.

“We are delighted that school counselors, who are uniquely positioned to help students find colleges that fit with their talents and aspirations, continue to think very highly of Lawrence,” says Ken Anselment, dean of admissions and financial aid at Lawrence.

Williams College of Massachusetts earned the magazine’s top spot in the national liberal arts college category for the eighth year in a row.  Harvard and Princeton universities shared the top ranking in U.S. News’ national universities category for the second time in three years after finishing no. 1 and no. 2, respectively, last year.

In compiling its annual “America’ s Best Colleges” guide, U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 1,500 of the nation’s public and private four-year schools, using data from up to 16 separate factors, each of which is assigned a “weight” that reflects the magazine editor’s judgment as to how much that measure matters.  Each school’s composite weighted score is then compared to peer institutions to determine final rankings.

Institutions are divided into several distinct categories. In addition to the best liberal arts college category that measures national institutions like Lawrence, other rankings are based on universities that grant master and doctorate degrees and colleges that are considered “regional” institutions.

Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. Ranked among America’s best colleges, it was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,520 students from 44 states and 56 countries.

Lawrence Recognized for Academic Rigor, Accessible Professors by Newsweek/The Daily Beast

When it comes to challenging students academically, who’s tougher…Princeton, Yale, Stanford or Lawrence University?  According to Newsweek/The Daily Beast, Lawrence beats all three on the “rigorous” meter.

In its 2011 college rankings, Newsweek/The Daily Beast named Lawrence the country’s 18th most rigorous college or university, ranking it ahead of Ivy Leaguers Princeton (20th) and Yale (23rd) as well as Stanford (25th).

The rankings, which only considered institutions with admitted students with an average Critical Reading/Math SAT score of at least 1250, were based on a methodology that included student opinion, quality and quantity of professors and drop-out rate.

In a list of the college’s with the most accessible professors, Newsweek/The Daily Beast ranked Lawrence 21st nationally. The rankings were based on an analysis of student-posted evaluations on RateMyProfessors.com conducted by the education think tank Center for College Affordability and Productivity and on the student-to-faculty ratio at each school.

In addition to most academically rigorous and most accessible professors, Newsweek/The Daily Beast compiled top-25 rankings in 25 categories ranging from colleges with the best food and the most beautiful campus to most artistic students and most future politicians.

Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a world-class conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. Ranked among America’s best colleges, it was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College.” Individualized learning, the development of multiple interests and community engagement are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,520 students from 44 states and 56 countries.

Closer Look at the Forbes’ Rankings Reveals More Good News for Lawrence

In conjunction with Forbes.com’s third annual “America’s Best Colleges” report, the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) provides additional rankings beyond the magazine’s list of the nation’s best 610 undergraduate institutions.

In its recently released 2010 study, in which Lawrence University was ranked 50th nationally, Forbes and the CCAP also ranked Lawrence favorably in two other categories.

Using the Carnegie classification “Baccalaureate Colleges – Arts and Sciences,” which is regarded by Forbes as the nation’s best liberal arts colleges, Lawrence was ranked 29th among 196 schools, placing above such peer institutions as Bates (31), Macalester (32), Grinnell (48), Connecticut (53) and St. Olaf (70) colleges.

In its listing based on regional location, the study ranked Lawrence seventh among 150 institutions in the Midwest, ahead of peer schools Macalester (8), Oberlin (11), Grinnell (17) and St. Olaf (22) colleges.

Based in Washington, D.C., the CCAP is an independent, not-for-profit research center dedicated to facilitating a broader dialogue on the issues and problems facing the institutes of higher education in the United States.