For the second consecutive year, “Washington Monthly” magazine has recognized Southwestern College as a top ten value in higher education in its college rankings issue.  In the 2017 issue, the magazine ranks SC seventh in the Midwest Region as a “Best Bang for the Buck College.” 

 “Washington Monthly’s” methodology for the rankings is rooted in three categories: social mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students), research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and Ph.D.s) and service (encouraging students to give back to their country).  Data reviewed in the ranking process includes graduation rates, first-generation student ratios, graduate earnings, net price of attendance, and a measure calculated for each institution’s dedication to community service. In total, 364 institutions of higher education were ranked in the Midwest category. The seventh place ranking put Southwestern ahead of all other schools in Kansas.

 According to “Washington Monthly,” the “Best Bang for the Buck” list includes schools that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

“We are proud to be recognized by ‘Washington Monthly’ magazine again; this particular ranking is the one that is most directly tied to our mission as a college” says Southwestern College President Brad Andrews. “The dedication Southwestern College faculty and staff demonstrate in helping our students realize their potential results in an extremely valuable education.”