College receives high rank on national list of best schools

College receives high rank on national list of best schools

Higher education can be a very expensive investment, and students who are on a budget may want to ensure that the school of their choice will be academically rewarding. In order to assist learners in finding a degree program that fits their needs, The Washington Monthly recently released a list of schools that fulfill their public mission.

At the top of the list of bachelor's degree-awarding institutions is Bard College at Simon's Rock. The college's record of admitting and graduating a socioeconomically diverse student body was noted, as well as its pursuit of intellectualism and service. Simon's Rock alumni ranked above all other similar institutions in four-year degree holders who continued their education to earn PhDs, and in graduate participation in service organizations.

"The Washington Monthly ranking honors our institutional commitment to service, research and student support; it confirms that the caliber of work and learning taking place on this small but impressive campus is making a better world. This is what a transformative education looks like in action," said Mary B. Marcy, provost of Bard College.

The survey measured how committed colleges are to helping disadvantaged students, how devoted they are to supporting students through their entire education, what percentage of a college's federal study funds is allocated to service projects, how many alumni participate in service programs like the Peace Corps or the ROTC, and how many go on to earn their PhD.

By Mark Danson