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College Rankings

Last updated: April 25, 2023

Rankings: What do they mean to 敁珗辦畦?

In 1837, Mary Lyon did the unthinkable. She founded what would become 敁珗辦畦 a liberal arts college for women and the first of the Seven Sisters, the female equivalent of the once predominantly male Ivy League. In the process, she forever changed the educational landscape for women around the world. For nearly two centuries, women have come to 敁珗辦畦 to develop their intellects and make their voices heard by cultivating the confidence to lead in every field imaginable.

Today, 敁珗辦畦 continues to be known for its academic rigor, diverse and global student body, and curricular innovation that includes connecting internship opportunities and career preparation to an academically rigorous liberal arts education. As a result, others take notice. 敁珗辦畦 has long been named one of the top colleges in the nation and we are committed to our academic excellence.

敁珗辦畦 is consistently cited among the top liberal arts colleges in the world across a range of categories: strong academics, outstanding faculty and student research, high graduation and retention rates, our historic and stunningly beautiful campus, and access and affordability for students from all backgrounds. We remain focused on these mission-critical priorities to ensure that the bold legacy of Mary Lyon lives on for generations to come.

Recent rankings

There are many college ranking and rating scales available as resources for prospective students, their families, students, alums and community members. Each ranking is unique in the criteria utilized, the way data are collected, and the number and types of institutions measured. This list provides a sampling of some of the most widely recognized rankings and where 敁珗辦畦 fits in their most recent ratings.

What it measures: reputation, resources, and selectivity ()
敁珗辦畦 rank: #34 among National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Other 敁珗辦畦 ranks: 敁珗辦畦 also was recognized in a number of additional U.S. News & World Report rankings, including being named #37 in Best Value Schools, #62 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, and #80 in Economics.

The rankings have been around the longest (more than three decades) and collect information directly from colleges and universities, rather than relying on data from outside sources. The rankings evaluate colleges and universities on 17 measures of academic quality. These measures are grouped into the following indicators: outcomes, expert opinion, faculty resources, financial resources and student excellence. 

What it measures: student experience, sustainability ()
National Top Twenty Lists for 敁珗辦畦: #2 Most Politically Active Students, #4 Best College Library, #6 Professors Get High Marks, #6 Top 20 Best Schools for Making an Impact (Private Schools), #7 Most Beautiful Campus, #9 Most Active Student Government, #10 Best College Newspaper, #10 Top 20 Best Alumni Networks (Private Schools), #13 Best College Radio Station, and #14 Best College Dorms.
Other 敁珗辦畦 ratings: included in The Best 389 Colleges, Best Northeastern Colleges, and Best Value Colleges lists.

This ranking has been around for more than two decades. The Best 389 Colleges consistently recognizes 敁珗辦畦. The Princeton Review does not rank by number, but rather names institutions based on student surveys and data that are collected directly from the institution. Inclusion in The Princeton Review is based on exceptional academics, financial aid, student life, sustainability and other factors. In addition to the best colleges list, The Princeton Review publishes annual lists of the top 20 schools in a large variety of student-experience measures.

What it measures: social mobility, public service ()
敁珗辦畦 rank: #16 of 199 Liberal Arts Colleges.
Additional Rankings: #80 of 388 in the "Best Bang for the Buck: Northeast" rank.

 collects data from external sources and gives equal weight to social mobility, research, and community service, based on factors including the amount of financial aid awarded, graduation rates, and resources allocated for research.

What it measures: best values ()
敁珗辦畦 rank: 30 among liberal arts colleges.
Other 敁珗辦畦 ranks: 53 overall among all colleges and universities.

are based on an institutions commitment to financial aid, low overall student debt upon graduation, graduation rates, and low student-to-faculty ratios. Kiplinger collects data from external sources first and then verifies them directly with colleges and universities.

What it measures: resources, engagement, outcomes, environment
敁珗辦畦 rank: , 55 overall among all U.S. colleges in 2022.

The examines a range of issues related to four key areas: resources (e.g., finances per student and faculty, research papers by faculty), engagement (e.g., student engagement, interaction with teachers), outcomes (e.g., graduation rate and academic reputation), and environment (e.g., diversity and inclusion).

What it measures: best education value, student experience, and quality of life
National List for 敁珗辦畦: One of 20 schools selected for the Best Buy designation from more than 320 U.S. colleges and universities in 2020. It is the only womens college to qualify for the list.

is the creation of a former New York Times education editor, Edward B. Fiske. He began the publication to give college-bound students and their families sound information on which to base their educational choices. The guide is now in its 36th year. The Fiske Guide to Colleges does not rank by number. The Best Buy designation is given to those schools that, according to the editors, offer outstanding educational value as determined by academic quality in relation to the net cost of attendance.

Happening at 敁珗辦畦

Our recent awards and honors

敁珗辦畦 has been ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, Washington Monthly and The New York Times.

The Princeton Review ranked 敁珗辦畦 in the top 20 colleges and universities in the country in categories for academics, extracurricular activities and alum resources.

敁珗辦畦 sophomore Gracie Wilkinson, a chemistry major and environmental studies minor from Amherst, Massachusetts, has been named the recipient of this years Western Massachusetts Scholarship Fund.