Alcorn earns high rankings for Social Mobility and Research in Washington Monthly “College Guide”

Alcorn earns high rankings for Social Mobility and Research in Washington Monthly “College Guide”

Alcorn State University ranks high in several categories of the new 2013 College Guide by “Washington Monthly” magazine. The magazine annually ranks universities based on their public good in social mobility, research, service and overall utility. Alcorn excelled in each category, ranking first in research among all Mississippi’s public, comprehensive, regional, master’s universities and No. 38 nationwide, according to a recently released study.

Alcorn’s new Vice President for Student Success and Enrollment Management, Dr. Carl Cunningham said it is important to emphasize the rankings to prospective students. “The University’s ability to graduate highly prepared students into the competitive job market speaks to the rigor and value of an Alcorn education. Our ranking in each category reflects Alcorn’s commitment to providing educational opportunity for all students and setting them on a path to enjoy lifelong success.”

Mr. C. Rob Shorette, Presidential Ombudsman for Administrative Affairs added, “Students select Alcorn because they want knowledge, they want character. We are a best buy, high value institution with a track record of producing graduates who become leaders in the workforce and their communities.”

The survey reviewed several Mississippi universities: Alcorn State University, Belhaven University, Delta State University, Mississippi College, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State University and William Carey University.

Overall Utility—a combined score of three metrics – research, social mobility and service.

• Alcorn ranks No. 192 of 684 overall among comprehensive, regional, master’s universities in research nationwide.
• Alcorn ranks No. 4 overall among all among all comprehensive regional, master’s universities in Mississippi.
• Alcorn ranks No. 2 overall among public comprehensive regional, master’s universities in Mississippi.

Research — a combined assessment of total research expenditures and graduates’ bachelor’s-to-Ph.D. attainment.

• Alcorn ranks No. 38 of 684 among comprehensive, regional, master’s universities in research nationwide.
• Alcorn ranks No. 1 in research among all comprehensive regional, master’s universities in Mississippi.

Social Mobility — a combined assessment of the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants, the predicted graduation rate based on SAT scores and Pell Grant percentages versus the actual graduation rate, the difference between the two rates calculated in category 2.

• Alcorn ranks No. 94 of 684 among comprehensive, regional, master’s universities in research nationwide.
• Alcorn ranks No. 2 in social mobility among all comprehensive regional, master’s universities in Mississippi.

ROTC and Service — Alcorn’s strong history of ROTC involvement is reflected in the survey’s Service Category. Service considered the number of alumni who go on to serve in the Peace Corps, relative to school size; the percentage of students who serve in ROTC; the percentage of funds in federal work-study money that goes to community service — versus non-community service; a combined measure of the number of students participating in community service and the total number of service hours performed, both relative to school size; and a combined measure of the number of staff supporting community service, relative to the total number of staff; the number of academic courses that incorporate service, relative to school size; and whether the institution provides scholarships for community service.

• Alcorn ranks No. 21 of 684 among comprehensive, regional, master’s universities in research nationwide.
• Alcorn ranks No. 1 in ROTC among all comprehensive regional, master’s universities in Mississippi.

View the rankings chart of Mississippi’s comprehensive/regional/master’s universities selected for recognition in the Washington Monthly.