News
Dalton State Ranked Among Top Schools in South by U.S. News and World Report
09/16/20
Dalton State received three rankings from the annual U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges report, including a place among Top Public Schools in the South.
The college ranks in the top 28 public schools among 121 colleges in the South. The college also earned the No. 40 ranking for Social Mobility, which measures the success of students who receive the federal Pell Grant, and is listed on the Best Regional Colleges South ranking.
“I am pleased we are once again being recognized for our contribution to our region, state and country,” said Dr. Margaret Venable, president of Dalton State. “Our commitment to student success, no matter the student’s background, is not new. We believe in the transformative power of higher education and want that to be accessible to those who desire a college degree. We also keep class sizes lower so our faculty can provide more one-on-one instruction. It is wonderful to be recognized for our efforts.”
The rankings factor in data such as how much debt students acquire obtaining their degree, financial resources available to students, graduation and retention rates, class size and more. It also uses peer assessment surveys to measure academic reputation.
The Social Mobility ranking looks at the graduation rate of those receiving the Pell Grant, which is typically awarded to students whose adjusted gross family income is below $50,000 annually, most often under $20,000.
“Nothing should stand in the way of students’ access to higher education, including their socioeconomic status,” said Dr. Jodi Johnson, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. “We will do whatever we can to help a student achieve success, and we have many options to help students overcome financial hurdles. Sixty-two percent of our students graduate without student loans.”
More than three-fourths of all students at Dalton State receive financial aid, she said.
“Financial situations should not prevent students from succeeding or realizing their personal and professional goals,” Johnson said. “We believe college degrees should be attainable to anyone who wants to work for one, not just the wealthy or privileged.”
This recognition comes on the heels of being ranked among the top 24 U.S. colleges for return on investment by Business Insider and among the top 60 bachelor’s colleges in the U.S. by Washington Monthly.