The ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ of ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ at Lafayette is one of the best universities in the nation at helping low-income ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵs earn degrees.
That's according to Washington Monthly magazine, which has ranked UL Lafayette among the top 10 national universities in its social mobility category. The magazine's rankings measure, "what colleges are doing for the country," according to its website.
Since 2005, Washington Monthly has published annual rankings of four types of institutions: liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges, master's universities and national universities.
Its rankings are based on three factors. The first is social mobility, which gives colleges credit for enrolling many low-income ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵs and helping them earn degrees. The second recognizes research production, particularly at schools whose undergraduates go on to earn doctorates. The third is service.
The social mobility category measures the number of ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵs who receive federal Pell Grants and their graduation rates. "The more expensive college becomes, the more ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵs are encouraged to see higher education as a mere return on investment. The ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵs in our best colleges are taught by example and design to look beyond themselves and give back," wrote the magazine on its site.
The ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ of Texas at El Paso was No. 1 in the social mobility category, which also included Arizona State ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ and Rutgers ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ in the top 10. The ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ of California, San Diego was rated best overall among 281 universities. UL Lafayette's overall ranking was 165.
Washington Monthly is nonprofit magazine covering United States politics and government that's based in Washington, D.C. Washington Monthly College Rankings focuses on key research outputs, the quality level and total dollar amount of scientific grants awarded, the number of graduates going on to earn doctoral degrees and the number of graduates that later participate in public service.