Tag: Best Colleges

USF News

Money Ranks USF in Its Best Colleges in America 2022 Listing

Joliet, Ill. – With expanded scholarships and career-launching degree programs, the University of St. Francis (USF) found itself ranked in the top 20 percent of both Illinois and the U.S. in the most recent Money magazine list of best colleges released earlier this month.  

Money’s Best Colleges in America 2022 publication ranked USF 5th among the 26 Illinois colleges and universities included in the rankings, and 107th overall out of a total of 623 ranked colleges and universities.

“High school students and parents looking at college, 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. USF has designed degree programs that help our graduates launch truly valuable, meaningful careers,” said Eric Wignall, vice president for admissions at USF.

“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 their latest rankings,” Wignall added.

“Money’s rankings only include U.S. colleges that have sufficient reliable data for us to analyze. In order to make the list, a college’s graduation rate must be at or above the median for its institutional category (public, private or HBCU). Alternatively, it must fall within the top 25% of our “value-added” graduation analysis, meaning the graduation rate needs to be higher than would be expected for colleges that enroll similar students,” explained a spokesperson from Money.

Visit money.com/bestcolleges to view the entire 2022 listing.

Visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked for more national accolades.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

The Princeton Review Names USF a Best Midwestern College

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is one of the 158 best colleges in the Midwest according to The Princeton Review. The education services company lists USF in the Best in the Midwest section of its “2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region” website. The honor marks the fourteenth consecutive year USF has been named to this national listing.

Arranged according to five regional categories (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and International), The Princeton Review’s “2022 Best Colleges: Region by Region” recognizes 654 colleges and universities (representing just 23% of the nation’s four-year colleges and universities) that the organization considers both academically outstanding and a valuable collegiate option.

“USF is dedicated to preparing women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership, and will continue to work together build a Franciscan future in our second century as a higher educational institution. National recognition such as this – a fourteenth consecutive year of recognition by The Princeton Review – demonstrates the University of St. Francis’ longstanding and ongoing commitment to student success in terms of retention to graduation rates to in-field job placement,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said.

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,” Franek 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.

To learn more about The Princeton Review or to view the listing, please visit princetonreview.com/bestMWcolleges.

The University of St. Francis is consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities across the Illinois and the nation when it comes to quality education, affordability, and accessibility. To learn more about USF’s other recent rankings, please visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked/.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

USF Ranked Among the Best Colleges for Your Money

Joliet, Ill. – In the era of COVID-19’s disruptions and growing concern about student debt, Joliet’s University of St. Francis (USF) is being recognized for its high value college degrees that help their graduates launch valuable careers and earn more.

Each fall, colleges and universities across the country await notification of their inclusion in some of the nation’s most recognized rankings of higher education institutions. For St. Francis, this has been yet another successful fall, as the school has been included in several major national rankings and listings. This week, USF was recognized by Money 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, Vice President for Admissions at USF.

“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 their latest rankings,” Wignall said.

The accolade is the latest in a string of recognitions earned by USF. Earlier this year, USF was named to The Princeton Review’s “2021 Best Colleges – Midwestern” rankings and was included in College Consensus’ “Best Catholic Colleges and Universities” national ranking, including the sixth highest Student Consensus score in the nation. USF was also recognized in U.S. News and World Report’s “2021 Best Colleges” listing.  

“These rankings are important because they provide further, national testament to the effectiveness and impact of a University of St. Francis education. Our graduates leave USF not only poised for success, but also prepared to contribute to the world through service and leadership. As we continue to celebrate our centennial, recognition such as this not only commemorates the University’s efforts over its first 100 years, but it also sets the standard for our next 100 years,” said USF President Arvid, C. Johnson, Ph.D.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

USF Named in 2021 “Best Colleges” Rankings List by U.S. News

Joliet, Ill. – For the past sixteen years, the University of St. Francis (USF) has been recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report. This year’s recognition, USF’s second year in the publication’s “National Universities” category, marks the seventeenth consecutive year that USF has been honored by U.S. News & World Report.

According to usnews.com/education, “Schools in the ‘National Universities’ category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.”

Last year, USF shifted to the “National Universities” category as a result of its 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 in the “National Universities” category of this year’s publication. In Illinois, USF was ranked ninth among the seventeen Illinois schools included in the report, sixth among private schools in the State, and was ranked as the State’s second best Catholic school.

“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. The list, according to usnews.com, states that, “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.”

Visit usnews.com/best-colleges for more information on the U.S. News 2021 Best Colleges rankings.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

U.S. News Names USF in 2020 “Best Colleges” Rankings of National Universities

Joliet, Ill. – For the past fifteen years, the University of St. Francis (USF) has been recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report. This year’s recognition, which now marks the sixteenth consecutive year that USF has been recognized by U.S. News, comes in a new form, as Joliet’s only four-year university has moved up from the Master’s Midwest category to the National Universities category in its 2020 “Best Colleges” rankings.

According to usnews.com/education, “Schools in the National Universities category offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs. These colleges also are committed to producing groundbreaking research.”

In years past, USF had been included in the Master’s Midwest category, which generally includes institutions that awarded at least 50 master’s degrees and fewer than 20 doctoral degrees during a given update year. The university’s move to the National Universities category was the result of its awarding of at least 20 research/scholarship doctoral degrees during this 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.

Listed at #202 on the list top colleges and universities, the recognition is the latest in a succession of honors earned by USF. U.S. News ranks some 1,400 schools among the 4,298 degree-granting post-secondary institutions in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

“We are pleased that outside organizations continue to recognize the quality of a University of St. Francis education,” 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.”

Within the 2020 National Universities category, USF is ranked #7 among all Illinois schools, along with #4 among Illinois private schools, and #2 among Catholic schools in Illinois. Three other Illinois schools also moved up into the National Universities ranking along with USF this year, but USF was the highest ranked of that group.

U.S. News also ranked USF #90 on the “Top Performers on Social Mobility” list. The list, according to usnews.com, states that, “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 ranked in the top 100 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 shows our commitment to serve people from every background and income level. It shows just how solid our educational programs are that our graduates truly learn more and do more to improve their lives,” Wignall said.

“USF is a ladder people can use to reach higher and create more opportunities. We don’t simply serve a small fraction of students who are already primed for success. We help students achieve more, learn more, and then they earn more as they launch their careers,” Wignall added.

Additionally, USF earned “Ethnic Diversity” recognition from U.S. News. Reported by usnews.com, “Students may want to consider the racial and ethnic diversity of a college campus when choosing a school. To identify colleges where students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from racial or ethnic groups different from their own, U.S. News factors in the total proportion of minority students, leaving out international students, and the overall mix of groups. The data are drawn from each institution’s fall 2018 total undergraduate student body.”

This year’s Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News included rankings According to usnews.com, “Schools are categorized into rankings such as National Universities, institutions that are often research-oriented and offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees; and National Liberal Arts Colleges, which emphasize undergraduate education and award half or more of their degrees across liberal arts fields. Additionally, regional colleges and universities are split into eight categories dependent on geographic location and whether master’s degrees are offered.”

Visit usnews.com/best-colleges for more information on the U.S. News 2020 Best Colleges rankings.

The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves over 4,000 students nationwide, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

Princeton Review Names USF a Best Midwestern College

Joliet, Ill. – The Princeton Review recently named the University of St. Francis (USF) on its “2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region” list’s Midwestern category. This is the twelfth consecutive year USF has been named to this national listing.

Listed according to five regional categories (Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West and International), The Princeton Review’s “2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region” recognizes over 650 colleges and universities that the organization considers both academically outstanding and a valuable collegiate option.

“As a welcoming community of learners, the University of St. Francis prepares its students to contribute to the world through service and leadership. We are pleased that our ongoing commitment to student success – whether in terms of retention and graduation rates or in terms of in-field job placement– continues to be recognized in national rankings such as these,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said.

To learn more about The Princeton Review or to view the listing, please visit princetonreview.com.

The University of St. Francis is consistently ranked among the best colleges and universities across the Illinois and the nation when it comes to quality education, affordability, and accessibility. To learn more about USF’s other recent rankings, please visit stfrancis.edu/nationally-ranked/.

The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves over 4,000 students nationwide, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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