Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) has again been recognized among the top institutions in “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News & World Report. SMWC ranked in the top 20% of Best Regional Universities in the Midwest. The 2023 rankings were released early Monday morning. The ranking is based on academic quality and the amount of financial aid with grants and scholarships to full-time undergraduate students.
U.S. News & World Report Rankings for America’s Best Colleges for 2023 for SMWC
Regional Universities Midwest #33
Best Value – Regional Universities Midwest #5
Social Mobility – Regional Universities Midwest #4
President Dottle L. King, Ph.D., said of the rankings, “Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has a long tradition of providing a high-quality educational experience. Recognition of our success with students is gratifying. We continue to fulfill our mission in new and exciting ways.“
SMWC was also ranked number five in Best Value Schools for Regional Universities in the Midwest and was the top-ranked school in Indiana in this category. The ranking accounts for academic quality and the net cost of attendance for students receiving the average level of need-based financial aid.
“We are humbled to see the hard work at SMWC be recognized in these rankings,” said Janet Clark, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This is a recognition of our faculty in preparing students for their careers and of the entire College in our quest to provide a quality, affordable private education.”
The College was ranked fourth in Social Mobility Among Regional Universities in the Midwest and was the top-ranked Indiana school in the category. This ranking is based on how successfully schools work with Federal Pell Grant eligible students.
“SMWC is invested in our students by using institutional dollars to reduce or eliminate the need to borrow student loans. We use an individualized approach to packaging and help students utilize financial aid options available to them,” said Darla Hopper, MLD, associate vice president for financial aid and admissions.
King added, “Being ranked highest in Indiana in the social mobility category is especially rewarding! The empowerment of Pell-eligible students to successfully complete their degrees is indicative of our commitment to all students. We are helping to change the lives of these students in positive ways.”
SMWC was also newly ranked in two categories, Economic Diversity for Regional Universities in the Midwest and Least Debt for Regional Universities in the Midwest. Rankings in Economic Diversity are based on the percentage of students receiving Pell Grants. For SMWC, that number is 55%. The Least Debt rankings are based on the debt students carry after graduation.
The College celebrated another record-breaking incoming class in August and established an all-time record-breaking campus enrollment for fall 2022.