Monmouth College Named a Top 20 College for Social Mobility by 'U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges' Guide

College's national recognition a testament to its focus on understanding and delivering what students need.

by Duane Bonifer

MONMOUTH, Ill. (09/13/2021) — In an age when a college education is key to success, a degree from Monmouth College is more valuable than ever.

In the 2022 issue of the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges guide, released Sept. 13, Monmouth is ranked No. 17 in the nation among liberal arts colleges in terms of social mobility.

The guide's social mobility ranking evaluates a school's graduation rates of students who receive a federal Pell Grant compared to those students who did not receive one. Students who receive a Pell Grant typically come from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, although most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000.

Overall, Monmouth rose to No. 126 in the publication's "National Liberal Arts Colleges" category. That's 33 spots higher than where the College was five years ago, and it is an increase of almost 50 spots since 2013. The College rose 10 spots in the social mobility category compared to the 2021 guide.

"Acknowledging the imperfections involved in any sort of ranking, all of us who are part of Monmouth College are pleased that we continue move up in the eyes of our colleagues at other colleges and universities," said Monmouth President Clarence R. Wyatt. "At a time when students and their families are especially concerned about the return on their higher education investments, we are intensely proud of having moved from 27th to 17th among National Liberal Arts Colleges in the social mobility ranking."

Wyatt said that Monmouth's 10-spot rise in the social mobility category "is a testament to our focus on one essential goal - understanding and delivering on the needs, desires and ambitions of our students."

"By making the words of our mission statement - 'empowering students to realize their full potential, live meaningful lives, pursue successful careers, and shaping their communities and world through service and leadership'-real in the lives of each of our students, Monmouth College will thrive amidst the tremendous change that American higher education is undergoing," said Wyatt.

Monmouth's rise in the social mobility rankings are also an affirmation of the work being done every day by the College's faculty and staff, according to Monmouth Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Mark Willhardt.

"Monmouth College has long been proud of our success in helping students shine, no matter their educational backgrounds or personal circumstances," said Willhardt. "The current improvement in U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges guide's social mobility category simply reveals that our current emphases on engaged teaching and active learning throughout the liberal arts and sciences pay dividends. Although many colleges can offer curricula that impart broad learning, it is clear that our focus on the whole student experience changes lives, on campus and thereafter."

In addition to starting new majors in science, technology, engineering and math, Monmouth has expanded the undergraduate research opportunities offered to students, including the Summer Opportunity for Intellectual Activity; the prestigious endowed Kieft Scholars in chemistry and biochemistry; and the nationally renowned Midwest Journal of Undergraduate Research, which has held a pair of national conferences on campus.