Monmouth University received its highest ranking on “U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges” roster, as No. 23 in the Regional Universities North category. It is the first time the University has ranked in the top 25, rising five spots since the 2020 issue.
Parents and students’ reference “U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges” list when evaluating their options.
“In my experience, the ‘U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges’ report is one of the most recognized resource guides for parents and students seeking the best college fit for their circumstances,” said Lisa Allocco, the Director and Owner of Inspire Communication, a college advising company, and an Adjunct Professor of Communication.
The 2021 edition assesses 1,452 universities with undergraduate programs nationwide on 17 measures of academic quality, with graduation and retention rates, academic reputation, and faculty resources accounting for 82 percent of the rankings.
“Monmouth has seen steady improvement in many of the key elements that are measured by U.S. News & World Report’s methodology,” said Monmouth University President Patrick F. Leahy. “The rankings provide a shorthand way to communicate our trajectory of success, which is something we can all take pride in.”
During the past year, Monmouth has seen an increase in its peer score which evaluates the University’s reputation among other institutions in the region. The peer score accounts for 20 percent of the total ranking, and peer schools are noticing of Monmouth’s strengths, Leahy explained.
“Our peer score, other institutions that know of us and think highly of us, has improved and that’s a significant factor we can be proud of,” said Mary Anne Nagy, Vice President for Student Life and Leadership Engagement. “We’ve continued to progress and it’s resultant of hard work and bringing in wonderful students.”
Leahy has “mixed feelings” about the ranking, calling it an “imperfect scorecard” of the wide array of academic curriculum Monmouth offers, since the measurements are not all-encompassing, but he acknowledges the benefits of being recognized. “[The ranking] is influential among prospective students and parents, current students, alumni, and prospective employers.”
Still, Allocco remarked, “The system used by U.S. News & World Report utilizes ranking criteria that has been identified through research studies as essential to determining the value and quality of education provided by a college.”
From a methods standpoint, the ranking system is trusted as both valid and reliability, and it is considered by many as the “unofficial ‘gold standard’ in terms of rating colleges,” Allocco concluded.
Christopher Chen, a senior computer science student, explained that the University provides a multitude of resources for students to use and its “elevated status should allow many students to gain an advantage when looking for jobs.”
However, Chen does not believe the school is entirely deserving of making the list. “[Monmouth] has come under scrutiny regarding its lack of diversity. The students are predominantly white, albeit the school has worked to include many students of other nationalities,” he said. “I hope the school strives to be better.”
Monmouth aims to improve by making the University as accessible as possible to a wider and more diverse student body, Leahy explained. “Only a few [universities] in our category integrate excellence and access like we do, as measured by our strong rankings coupled with our commitment to first-generation students and Pell Grant recipients.”
As for the improvement in retention rates, Monmouth is working to increase those numbers, yearly, Nagy explained. To achieve this, the University utilizes data from student satisfaction and campus climate surveys to determine what they are doing well and put together plans that focus on those things. “There’s no driving force behind our improved retention rates, it’s a combination,” she said.
That combination of factors is defined as the “total student experience,” Nagy described. The administration knows that students are not in the classroom every day, and so, it’s important to include a wide variety of activities that are not only fun but compliment the academic experience. “We work very hard to attract students and transition them appropriately and we need to work hard to keep them,” she said.
Tameah Young, a senior software engineering student, said, “Our school cares about its students… Monmouth isn’t perfect, but it has really met my expectations.”
“I have learned a lot here, and a lot of the classes I’ve taken have really helped me expand my knowledge and look at things from different perspectives,” Young said.
Leahy reflected on the graduating class of 2020: 120 graduates ready to enter the healthcare sector, seven graduates pursuing their doctorates or enrolled in medical school, three headed to the London School of Economics, many employed at Fortune 500 companies, and graduates teaching in over 40 school districts across New Jersey.
“I am incredibly proud of our students and our recent graduates, who are terrific ambassadors for our University. The steady rise in our rankings is a tribute to their success, and to the steadfast commitment of our faculty and staff who provided them with an outstanding education and student experience at Monmouth,” Leahy said.
PHOTO COURTESY of Anthony DePrimo
