September 13, 2022
9/13 – Historic College Recognized in Best Regional University in the South, Best Regional University for Veterans, Best Value School in the South, Top Performers on Social Mobility in the South, Best Regional University for Ethnic Diversity, and Best Regional University for Economic Diversity
COLUMBIA, S.C., September 13, 2022 – The U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges lists are released each year to aid future college students in selecting the best school for them. To determine the 2023 rankings, the report evaluated over 1,500 different institutions of higher education on 17 measures of academic quality to determine the ranking results. For the 2023 academic year, Columbia College was ranked on six of those lists: Best Regional University in the South, Best Regional University for Veterans, Best Value School in the South, Top Performers on Social Mobility in the South, Best Regional University for Ethnic Diversity, and Best Regional University for Economic Diversity.
“As an institution, we are excited to see continued growth and development through the 2023 U.S. News and World Report rankings. The good work done here by faculty, staff, and students is seen so clearly on-campus, so I’m especially proud that the world outside our gates sees it too,” shared President of Columbia College Tom Bogart.
Columbia College ranked 26 out of 135 in the Best Regional Universities in the South category. Variables considered for ranking include categories such as retention and graduation rates, class sizes, student-to-faculty ratios, and acceptance rates. Columbia College is ranked 9 in the region for Best Colleges for Veterans. In order to be considered for this ranking, the school must be certified for the G.I. Bill®, participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program, and enroll a minimum of 20 veterans and/or active-duty military. Making the admissions process as straightforward as possible for veterans and active-duty military continues to be a priority for Columbia College as a way of expressing gratitude for the service to our country. The college was also ranked 17 in Best Value Schools in the southern region for 2023. Institutions that can maintain academic quality while emphasizing affordability are ranked in this category. Columbia College was one of 54 schools in the southern region that were recognized.
Top Performers on Social Mobility in the South ranked Columbia College in the top 3 in the southern region. This designation identifies how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants (those typically coming from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000). Columbia College was also ranked 8 in Best Regional University for Ethnic Diversity, which speaks to the prioritization of learning alongside people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Finally, Best Regional University for Economic Diversity ranked Columbia College 27 of 42 schools in the Southern region.
Columbia College is very proud of each of these rankings, and, as an institution, will continue to pursue excellence for our students, faculty, and surrounding community.