USF NEWS USF GLOWS, ONCE AGAIN, IN NATIONAL RANKINGS U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT The University of St. Francis has once again been recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report. This year’s recognition marks the second year that USF has been honored in the publication’s “National Universities” category. Last year's shift to the new category was a result of USF's awarding of at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during the most recent update year. An increase in the number of Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degrees awarded by USF, which are classified as research/scholarship doctoral degrees, played a large role in the reclassification. USF was ranked #227 on the list. In Illinois, USF was ranked ninth among the 17 Illinois schools included in the report, sixth among private schools in the state, and second among the state's Catholic schools. “We are pleased that outside organizations continue to recognize the quality of a University of St. Francis education, especially as we celebrate our centennial this year,” said USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D. “While being recognized for our quality in these rankings helps to validate the efforts of our faculty and provides us with many points of pride, the most important indicators of our success as educators are that our students have a great learning experience, graduate, are considered top prospects by employers, and find jobs that launch their careers.” For the second consecutive year, U.S. News also ranked USF in its “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list. According to usnews.com, "Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. Some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. The vast majority of these federal grants are awarded to students whose adjusted gross family incomes are under $50,000.” “Being recognized for Social Mobility is one of those measures every staff and faculty member at USF can be proud of,” said USF vice president for admissions and marketing, Eric Wignall. “It continues to demonstrate our commitment to serve people from every background and income level. It shows just how solid our educational programs are that our graduates truly make more and do more to improve their lives.” PRINCETON REVIEW The Princeton Review recently named USF on its “2021 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list’s Midwestern category. This is the 13th consecutive year USF has been named to this national listing. It recognizes over 650 colleges and universities that the organization considers both academically outstanding and a valuable collegiate option.
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Robert Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief, indicated that academics and overall campus experience play an important role in assembling this annual listing. “We chose the University of St. Francis and the other outstanding institutions on this list primarily for their academics,” he said. He noted that the company considered data from its survey of administrators at several hundred colleges in each region, information from staff visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of college counselors and advisors whose perspectives the company solicits. “We also consider what students enrolled at the schools reported to us on our student survey about their campus experiences,” Franek added. MONEY In the era of COVID-19’s disruptions and growing concern about student debt, the University of St. Francis was recognized by Money for its high value college degrees that help their graduates launch valuable careers and earn more. USF was included in the publication’s 2020 “Best Colleges in America for Your Money” listing. “High school students looking at college, parents, and adults looking at graduate school are right to be cautious about investing time and money into an educational program. A college degree can be worth millions of dollars over the course of one’s career. We have designed degree programs that help our graduates launch truly valuable, meaningful careers,” said Eric Wignall. “As an investment, the value of a degree from the University of St. Francis continues to climb. It’s really gratifying that Money again recognized USF for offering high quality, award-winning degree programs in its latest rankings,” he said.
