2021 Bachelor's Colleges Ranking

Since 2005, the Washington Monthly has ranked colleges based on what they do for the country. It’s our answer to U.S News & World Report, which relies on crude and easily manipulated measures of wealth, exclusivity, and prestige. We rank liberal arts colleges—four-year institutions that award almost exclusively bachelor’s degrees and that focus on arts and sciences rather than professional programs—based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.

Click here for detailed methodology, here for the rest of our rankings, and here to download the full data set.

Rank	Name	8-year graduation rate	Number of Pell graduates	Percent of grads above 150% of poverty line	Net price of attendance for families below $75,000 income	Percent of loan principal remaining 5 years later	Predicted principal remaining	Social mobility rank	Research rank	Service rank
1	Cooper Un. Advance. of Science & Art (NY)	87%	31	75%	8989	70%	60%	5	1	179
2	College of the Ozarks (MO)	68%	126	76%	9348	N/A	82%	1	66	87
3	William Jewell College (MO)	62%	47	90%	18134	75%	72%	59	3	5
4	Keene State College (NH)*	65%	171	89%	15884	73%	78%	12	54	4
5	Loras College (IA)	69%	56	88%	15848	62%	73%	15	53	3
6	Ohio Northern University (OH)	75%	91	93%	19897	63%	72%	11	16	46
7	Goshen College (IN)	71%	30	83%	16806	63%	82%	43	2	37
8	Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MA)*	77%	39	94%	8283	48%	68%	2	178	192
9	Dordt University (IA)	68%	76	86%	22638	42%	71%	6	24	117
10	Taylor University (IN)	77%	79	84%	20276	60%	72%	23	13	107
11	Northland College (WI)	58%	34	79%	15970	79%	78%	73	10	6
12	Maryville College (TN)	55%	75	78%	16901	82%	82%	83	17	1
13	Elizabeth City State University (NC)*	42%	121	74%	1928	120%	121%	24	51	16
14	Elmira College (NY)	59%	80	89%	20125	83%	82%	44	15	14
15	Bethel College (KS)	53%	19	88%	21019	74%	87%	122	4	8
16	University of Maine at Farmington (ME)*	57%	111	85%	12153	87%	86%	26	49	13
17	Lake Superior State University (MI)*	67%	62	91%	9115	89%	86%	17	35	61
18	Wisconsin Lutheran College (WI)	63%	52	88%	16379	64%	77%	9	34	99
19	Carroll College (MT)	66%	42	86%	20697	72%	71%	80	7	21
20	Marietta College (OH)	62%	70	89%	17597	73%	77%	39	32	20
21	Northwestern College (IA)	65%	58	88%	20984	49%	74%	27	28	62
22	CA State Univ. at Maritime Academy (CA)*	66%	23	94%	14533	54%	74%	7	29	178
23	Oregon Institute of Technology (OR)*	51%	58	93%	14119	76%	85%	19	27	122
24	Hiram College (OH)	59%	73	76%	19658	95%	94%	114	8	11
25	University of South Carolina at Upstate (SC)*	53%	170	87%	14035	102%	102%	21	114	25
26	CUNY York College (NY)*	39%	227	80%	3639	103%	106%	10	76	72
27	Alma College (MI)	64%	76	86%	18816	77%	78%	64	11	48
28	Castleton University (VT)*	56%	77	89%	14672	79%	86%	30	125	19
29	University of Mount Union (OH)	59%	127	89%	19962	82%	78%	54	42	17
30	Boricua College	52%	36	72%	14932	90%	112%	8	200	65
31	Brigham Young University at Idaho (ID)	68%	220	59%	5316	78%	94%	3	153	187
32	University of Jamestown (ND)	48%	29	92%	17265	60%	78%	40	36	67
33	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (AR)*	29%	132	78%	10148	125%	128%	103	6	60
34	Univ. of Minnesota at Crookston (MN)*	53%	39	90%	7869	78%	89%	14	150	95
35	Farmingdale State College (NY)*	54%	51	87%	6100	86%	86%	28	198	23
36	Colby-Sawyer College (NH)	57%	91	91%	22842	73%	79%	42	58	34
37	Manchester University (IN)	54%	65	88%	16681	81%	87%	71	18	75
38	University of Hawaii at West Oahu (HI)*	51%	14	79%	9447	94%	97%	18	194	70
39	Penn State at Lehigh Valley (PA)*	58%	59	90%	15132	77%	79%	4	200	196
40	Penn State at Altoona (PA)*	68%	231	90%	19902	77%	79%	13	101	155
41	Alice Lloyd College (KY)	35%	47	74%	13131	99%	87%	38	200	15
42	Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN)	57%	33	84%	9248	95%	88%	51	136	12
43	Lincoln University (MO)*	25%	41	89%	8782	118%	114%	157	21	7
44	Claflin University (SC)	50%	155	77%	19096	127%	129%	79	33	36
45	Maine Maritime Academy (ME)*	67%	43	94%	21154	49%	72%	20	93	177
46	Penn State at Hazleton (PA)*	55%	93	90%	16948	77%	85%	22	174	134
47	Penn State at Abington (PA)*	54%	169	90%	15550	77%	83%	16	149	185
48	Hastings College (NE)	59%	47	87%	19698	73%	79%	67	37	73
49	Penn State at Shenango (PA)*	42%	12	90%	11729	77%	96%	25	200	113
50	Benedictine College (KS)	67%	73	83%	20555	67%	71%	50	56	86
51	Millikin University (IL)	63%	95	87%	18114	88%	86%	65	38	92
52	Oklahoma Baptist University (OK)	57%	93	85%	16929	82%	87%	57	45	100
53	Montana State University at Northern (MT)*	41%	10	90%	11777	85%	96%	37	132	85
54	Central State University (OH)*	27%	105	73%	11970	132%	133%	96	23	82
55	LeMoyne-Owen College (TN)	21%	17	100%	9262	125%	134%	35	84	127
56	Olivet College (MI)	49%	65	87%	19762	104%	96%	61	87	52
57	Bluefield State College (WV)*	40%	18	89%	8197	115%	95%	147	110	2
58	Grand View University (IA)	58%	53	88%	17331	91%	86%	66	126	35
59	Mars Hill University (NC)	38%	76	85%	15763	99%	97%	84	82	28
60	University of South Carolina at Aiken (SC)*	47%	89	84%	13578	103%	99%	94	25	112
61	University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (PA)*	45%	52	88%	16396	71%	88%	36	73	162
62	Valley City State University (ND)*	45%	19	91%	9782	68%	85%	47	175	53
63	Voorhees College (SC)	34%	55	76%	17284	128%	134%	41	160	88
64	Heidelberg University (OH)	46%	62	90%	19911	87%	83%	125	41	32
65	University of Maine at Fort Kent (ME)*	52%	22	84%	10500	90%	94%	68	190	27
66	North Carolina Wesleyan College (NC)	61%	40	84%	13795	112%	112%	33	117	156
67	Warner Pacific University (OR)	51%	19	85%	21130	99%	96%	113	146	10
68	Penn State Fayette at Eberly (PA)*	54%	20	90%	13113	77%	83%	34	133	159
69	Penn State at Schuylkill (PA)*	46%	56	90%	13973	77%	92%	31	134	195
70	Kentucky State University (KY)*	26%	60	83%	8157	129%	119%	164	9	108
71	Indiana University at Kokomo (IN)*	41%	56	88%	6588	104%	87%	86	139	30
72	Penn State at Scranton (PA)*	47%	46	90%	14549	77%	82%	29	184	194
73	Wilberforce University (OH)	21%	23	76%	13163	127%	132%	55	62	157
74	Texas Lutheran University (TX)	52%	71	82%	16993	87%	85%	136	40	39
75	SUNY Coll. Ag. and Tech. at Cobleskill (NY)*	44%	34	83%	14305	83%	94%	63	135	84
76	SUNY Coll. Tech. at Canton (NY)*	46%	20	84%	11863	96%	99%	74	189	45
77	Dalton State College (GA)*	25%	48	84%	5686	103%	96%	90	193	26
78	Cazenovia College (NY)	54%	74	85%	21866	87%	96%	72	180	50
79	Penn State at Berks (PA)*	61%	128	90%	19717	77%	80%	32	113	220
80	University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (PA)*	46%	101	88%	17891	71%	77%	46	85	174
81	Wilmington College (OH)	57%	62	84%	18776	92%	85%	98	47	103
82	North Central University (MN)	48%	52	82%	18177	82%	82%	95	77	59
83	Ouachita Baptist University (AR)	65%	60	81%	15992	75%	75%	105	31	125
84	Carthage College (WI)	58%	102	89%	24619	80%	78%	130	50	57
85	Flagler College at St. Augustine (FL)	63%	111	81%	19634	89%	82%	76	67	123
86	McPherson College (KS)	51%	31	89%	20449	87%	85%	56	145	124
87	Trinity Christian College (IL)	61%	38	88%	19469	76%	87%	62	138	116
88	Maranatha Baptist University (WI)	53%	42	72%	16989	58%	82%	52	100	166
89	Eastern Nazarene College (MA)	55%	30	81%	19101	93%	94%	162	22	74
90	Pacific Union College (CA)	56%	42	85%	18007	90%	88%	133	30	94
91	Bethany College (KS)	43%	28	87%	24702	93%	89%	110	19	200
92	Briar Cliff University (IA)	50%	33	91%	19022	89%	96%	70	130	104
93	Dickinson State University (ND)*	36%	15	87%	9091	67%	82%	53	94	176
94	Unity College (ME)	62%	32	85%	23422	82%	76%	87	143	56
95	Univ. of Arkansas at Fort Smith (AR)*	33%	143	83%	9377	104%	94%	78	187	58
96	Mayville State University (ND)*	39%	14	89%	10077	87%	90%	77	103	102
97	Newberry College (SC)	52%	65	85%	17890	103%	96%	75	129	96
98	Dakota Wesleyan University (SD)	50%	28	92%	20240	83%	83%	89	127	80
99	Univ. of Montana-Western (MT)*	44%	28	82%	11711	93%	89%	142	158	18
100	Eureka College (IL)	58%	24	89%	18002	82%	83%	92	166	71
101	Bluffton University (OH)	53%	50	92%	24219	83%	85%	101	61	132
102	Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ. at Prescott (AZ)	63%	54	92%	30525	87%	69%	149	71	41
103	Benedict College (SC)	33%	162	74%	18115	134%	131%	137	48	98
104	Ctrl. Meth. U. at Lib. Arts & Sciences (MO)	53%	52	87%	19290	95%	83%	97	124	90
105	Middle Georgia State Univ. (GA)*	24%	40	83%	9118	114%	107%	138	195	24
106	Lees-McRae College (NC)	52%	29	85%	17881	91%	91%	102	109	101
107	William Jessup University (CA)	70%	36	79%	19000	86%	88%	45	200	202
108	Missouri Southern State Univ. (MO)*	37%	99	83%	8547	104%	91%	106	140	77
109	Harris-Stowe State University (MO)*	16%	22	81%	9744	119%	134%	118	164	51
110	Penn State at Wilkes-Barre (PA)*	50%	28	90%	13493	77%	77%	49	152	222
111	St. Francis College (NY)	50%	132	82%	17672	92%	95%	60	169	186
112	Mount Aloysius College (PA)	49%	29	92%	20311	85%	89%	119	200	44
113	Howard Payne University (TX)	45%	58	84%	20083	93%	91%	124	79	93
114	Union College (NE)	52%	26	89%	20382	86%	84%	131	115	68
115	Averett University (VA)	44%	49	85%	19344	104%	98%	144	155	33
116	Georgia Gwinnett College (GA)*	26%	183	81%	11876	112%	105%	69	144	182
117	Schreiner University (TX)	51%	51	81%	19197	90%	87%	145	119	42
118	Penn State at York (PA)*	53%	46	90%	14957	77%	76%	48	131	237
119	York College (NE)	49%	17	74%	15241	89%	90%	191	20	106
120	Quincy University (IL)	53%	55	87%	14436	92%	82%	99	96	147
121	Alderson Broaddus University (WV)	46%	49	86%	16654	92%	96%	135	99	76
122	LaGrange College (GA)	48%	37	88%	19866	96%	88%	154	57	79
123	University of Maine at Augusta (ME)*	28%	19	82%	10175	105%	104%	112	197	69
124	Lewis-Clark State College (ID)*	39%	44	81%	9778	99%	92%	152	106	54
125	University of Maine at Presque Isle (ME)*	47%	23	80%	9088	96%	91%	100	159	131
126	Catawba College (NC)	52%	59	83%	17260	89%	91%	117	72	152
127	Kansas Wesleyan University (KS)	48%	22	92%	23501	92%	87%	88	105	199
128	Iowa Wesleyan University (IA)	41%	12	85%	25663	94%	95%	200	128	9
129	Florida Memorial University (FL)	42%	96	75%	16936	132%	126%	123	88	142
130	Hannibal-LaGrange University (MO)	52%	22	87%	19206	90%	85%	128	97	133
131	Davis & Elkins College (WV)	45%	28	86%	15464	96%	90%	170	121	40
132	Rochester College (MI)	55%	18	80%	14715	98%	96%	108	141	143
133	University of Antelope Valley (CA)°	76%	20	60%	11947	106%	93%	109	200	111
134	Adrian College (MI)	52%	93	86%	24282	85%	85%	166	39	148
135	Penn State at Beaver (PA)*	51%	34	90%	13687	77%	81%	58	167	238
136	Miami Univ. at Hamilton (OH)*	23%	51	89%	9494	82%	90%	93	172	172
137	Penn. State at New Kensington (PA)*	52%	18	90%	13820	77%	78%	85	168	197
138	Lander University (SC)*	47%	95	84%	12872	105%	99%	132	95	149
139	Sterling College (KS)	43%	35	84%	18186	88%	91%	120	83	184
140	Morris College (SC)	30%	61	75%	16351	127%	135%	126	104	158
141	Tabor College (KS)	48%	25	84%	22914	87%	89%	141	80	144
142	Berkeley Coll. at Woodland Park (NJ)°	37%	93	78%	16782	108%	116%	111	200	120
143	Blue Mountain College (MS)	55%	17	88%	10676	107%	88%	107	107	191
144	Rasmussen College at Florida (FL)°	27%	6	82%	18159	110%	114%	129	199	109
145	Oakland City University (IN)	51%	20	86%	12641	90%	88%	81	170	217
146	Paul Smith's College (NY)	50%	31	84%	22252	78%	77%	104	177	161
147	Saint Augustine's University (NC)	33%	81	77%	23227	128%	132%	160	74	115
148	Ohio Valley University (WV)	38%	16	86%	16341	101%	92%	184	200	22
149	Thiel College (PA)	41%	68	86%	22092	93%	88%	179	46	139
150	Culver-Stockton College (MO)	50%	48	89%	18178	93%	89%	151	60	188
151	Barton College (NC)	50%	50	89%	21522	102%	97%	155	92	121
152	Oral Roberts University (OK)	46%	79	77%	18971	98%	94%	158	55	169
153	Fisher College (MA)	31%	27	79%	21581	102%	108%	178	200	43
154	Humphreys Univ at Stockton/Modesto (CA)	40%	5	78%	12130	125%	108%	115	200	165
155	Trinity Baptist College (FL)	35%	11	76%	15037	84%	102%	127	200	151
156	Southwestern Adventist University (TX)	43%	35	77%	18979	104%	99%	165	91	136
157	West Virginia Univ. Inst. of Tech. (WV)*	25%	25	86%	8683	84%	86%	140	137	164
158	West Virginia State University (WV)*	30%	41	74%	11765	116%	93%	233	14	66
159	East Texas Baptist University (TX)	41%	55	85%	19265	96%	92%	161	59	189
160	Central Christian College of Kansas (KS)	38%	24	84%	13715	93%	99%	91	200	227
161	Greensboro College (NC)	40%	30	84%	21587	106%	100%	177	181	63
162	Life Pacific University (CA)	51%	10	69%	19088	98%	94%	159	64	180
163	Erskine College and Seminary (SC)	60%	35	78%	30802	81%	84%	196	26	190
164	Brigham Young University at Hawaii (HI)	64%	25	61%	10663	74%	85%	148	52	230
165	Kentucky Christian University (KY)	29%	25	81%	17821	100%	95%	216	75	31
166	Defiance College (OH)	44%	33	91%	24011	90%	91%	188	123	78
167	Keystone College (PA)	45%	53	80%	21133	96%	96%	146	154	150
168	Penn State at Greater Allegheny (PA)*	41%	37	90%	14608	77%	87%	82	200	239
169	Oklahoma Panhandle State Univ. (OK)*	30%	14	77%	9776	99%	91%	168	116	141
170	Brescia University (KY)	37%	18	76%	11513	97%	96%	190	185	49
171	McMurry University (TX)	40%	45	83%	19943	102%	96%	186	65	145
172	John Paul the Great Catholic Univ. (CA)	57%	6	79%	23631	55%	77%	116	200	212
173	University of Tennessee at Southern (TN)*	35%	53	86%	17860	99%	90%	172	200	105
174	Shaw University (NC)	26%	70	75%	18293	131%	130%	193	90	91
175	William Penn University (IA)	44%	36	87%	19198	102%	98%	156	186	140
176	Oakwood University (AL)	47%	73	70%	24644	125%	117%	237	5	138
177	University of Providence (MT)	46%	22	83%	19694	95%	89%	206	102	55
178	Livingstone College (NC)	29%	73	74%	17126	130%	135%	153	89	210
179	Hilbert College (NY)	52%	45	85%	13620	96%	89%	121	176	229
180	Miles College (AL)	24%	83	78%	14971	129%	135%	134	188	209
181	Ferrum College (VA)	34%	89	82%	21133	100%	103%	150	179	173
182	South University at Austin (TX)°	16%	0	79%	23927	117%	102%	183	200	81
183	Glenville State College (WV)*	26%	39	75%	15174	114%	95%	220	122	29
184	Corban University (OR)	56%	49	76%	21183	76%	82%	143	162	213
185	Huntingdon College (AL)	46%	38	81%	19048	101%	93%	203	44	160
186	University of the Ozarks (AR)	45%	33	77%	12941	91%	88%	175	69	211
187	Philander Smith College (AR)	36%	40	75%	14725	130%	131%	226	68	38
188	William Peace University (NC)	50%	49	82%	21224	104%	99%	139	200	216
189	Bay State College (MA)°	38%	7	85%	31390	104%	108%	197	200	64
190	Kentucky Wesleyan College (KY)	38%	31	81%	20443	95%	84%	207	78	110
191	University of Mobile (AL)	48%	37	83%	14699	113%	95%	199	81	128
192	Bluefield College (VA)	49%	13	85%	21937	99%	97%	181	183	130
193	Rogers State University (OK)*	24%	23	83%	13605	106%	106%	182	192	129
194	Miami Univ. at Middletown (OH)*	20%	30	89%	11649	82%	88%	174	182	181
195	Kuyper College (MI)	54%	9	74%	16353	77%	87%	163	200	203
196	Trinity International Univ. at Florida (FL)	40%	0	75%	16383	99%	117%	187	200	146
197	Southwestern Christian University (OK)^^	39%	13	77%	13718	108%	101%	167	165	218
198	Paine College (GA)	21%	27	79%	15820	130%	132%	198	43	231
199	Central Penn College (PA)°	37%	7	88%	18423	108%	120%	180	200	153
200	Ottawa University at Ottawa (KS)	42%	24	86%	22245	104%	91%	209	173	83
201	Nevada State College (NV)*	28%	15	78%	12591	108%	103%	210	151	97
202	Warner University (FL)	52%	25	75%	15666	115%	108%	173	155	225
203	Huston-Tillotson University (TX)	28%	31	82%	16822	124%	121%	215	142	89
204	Jarvis Christian College (TX)	19%	18	72%	13592	130%	135%	169	200	214
205	Central Baptist College (AR)	32%	8	75%	15609	105%	94%	221	200	47
206	Mitchell College (CT)	42%	29	77%	23161	92%	89%	176	200	207
207	Holy Cross College (IN)	39%	19	86%	19724	92%	73%	171	200	221
208	Bacone College (OK)^^	22%	13	81%	22100	117%	124%	195	200	137
209	Concordia University at Ann Arbor (MI)	35%	20	90%	22973	94%	84%	204	111	168
210	Limestone College (SC)	47%	22	84%	22848	114%	107%	194	157	183
211	Toccoa Falls College (GA)	52%	45	70%	20555	86%	92%	185	148	223
212	Belmont Abbey College (NC)	47%	37	76%	19132	97%	85%	212	163	118
213	Wiley College (TX)^^	34%	29	70%	15642	130%	127%	202	161	171
214	High Point University (NC)	63%	79	80%	33569	79%	71%	223	118	135
215	Warner Pacific Univ. Adult Program (OR)	62%	5	85%	17531	99%	87%	189	200	224
216	Finlandia University (MI)	38%	11	73%	20259	100%	96%	230	70	126
217	Emmanuel College (GA)	39%	24	73%	16892	107%	91%	241	12	163
218	University of Valley Forge (PA)	45%	30	75%	18954	96%	94%	201	98	235
219	Brevard College (NC)	42%	28	76%	21053	92%	87%	213	112	198
220	Wright State Univ. at Lake Campus (OH)*	29%	11	87%	9316	99%	81%	192	200	219
221	Truett McConnell University (GA)	38%	26	79%	16325	96%	91%	211	200	170
222	St. Andrews University (NC)	36%	19	79%	22747	106%	100%	224	108	167
223	Arizona Christian University (AZ)	42%	12	84%	21713	94%	92%	217	147	208
224	Welch College (TN)	39%	13	70%	19804	91%	86%	222	63	236
225	Five Towns College (NY)°	39%	32	64%	16593	100%	90%	208	200	226
226	Missouri Valley College (MO)	31%	43	85%	18690	105%	96%	218	191	193
227	Point University (GA)	51%	27	72%	18326	119%	107%	205	200	234
228	Peirce College (PA)	32%	0	84%	6736	120%	130%	227	200	154
229	Texas College (TX)	16%	20	69%	16235	126%	121%	225	200	205
230	San Diego Christian College (CA)	42%	19	66%	28888	93%	98%	231	120	204
231	DigiPen Institute of Tech. (WA)°	44%	16	85%	34346	60%	68%	214	200	242
232	Edward Waters College (FL)	24%	38	81%	12775	129%	118%	228	196	215
233	Altierus Career College at Tampa (FL)°	54%	0	56%	20645	113%	119%	219	200	243
234	Brookline Coll. at Albuquerque (NM)°	61%	7	64%	26067	117%	107%	239	200	119
235	Webber International University (FL)	37%	21	79%	22416	106%	99%	234	171	201
236	Crowley's Ridge College (AR)	35%	7	74%	14070	107%	86%	229	200	228
237	Martin University (IN)	6%	2	71%	15227	125%	142%	238	200	175
238	Art Inst. of Virginia Beach (VA)°	37%	9	68%	22033	116%	108%	232	200	240
239	Cogswell Polytechnic College (CA)	40%	8	79%	27562	92%	85%	236	200	233
240	Art Institute of San Antonio (TX)°	26%	9	67%	21493	107%	104%	235	200	241
241	Paul Quinn College (TX)	14%	7	64%	10381	129%	128%	244	86	114
242	Living Arts College (NC)°	52%	13	58%	25162	117%	107%	240	200	232
243	Beacon College (FL)	68%	4	53%	36448	80%	69%	242	200	206
244	DeVry University at Ft. Washington (PA)°	18%	5	82%	31375	116%	113%	243	200	244

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

2021 Bachelor’s Colleges Ranking

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

* = public
° = for-profit

^^ Under heightened financial monitoring by the U.S. Department of Education

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

* = public ° = for-profit

^^ Under heightened financial monitoring by the U.S. Department of Education

* = public
° = for-profit