Wofford College continues to be ranked by national publications as one the best colleges in the United States. This time, it’s U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges for 2022-23.
The rankings were announced Monday, Sept. 12, and Wofford is ranked No. 70 on the publication’s rankings of national liberal arts colleges, which included 200 institutions. The college is ranked No. 58 on the list of best values and No. 97 for social mobility.
“Wofford College’s presence in national rankings reflects a commitment to student success by faculty and staff and a uniquely committed alumni network,” says Dr. Nayef Samhat, the college’s president. “The Wofford community is filled with people who are dedicated to mentoring, learning in the classroom and out, and support exceptional experiential learning opportunities, all of which prepare our students for life after college.”
U.S. News & World Report’s rankings are in their 38th year. The rankings evaluate more than 1,450 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality, including graduation rates, social mobility and graduate indebtedness. The social mobility ranking measures how well colleges graduate students receiving Pell Grants. The grants are typically given to students from households with annual incomes of less than $50,000.
Last month, Wofford once again earned a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of “The Best 388 Colleges” and was No. 14 on that publication’s ranking of the “Top 20 Best Alumni Networks” for private colleges and universities. The Princeton Review also recognized Wofford as one of its “Best Value Colleges for 2022” in the spring.
Wofford was ranked No. 10 on Degree Choices list of top 10 liberal arts colleges based on an analysis of the economic benefits students receive from attending institutions. Degree Choices’ rankings are based on how quickly students recoup their investment and the long-term earnings compared with other college graduates.
In 2021, the college received a $150 million gift to its endowment from 1959 graduate Jerry Richardson, and $120 million of that gift will support need-based scholarships and experiential learning opportunities.
The college also excels in career preparation; 98% of graduates from the classes of 2016 to 2020 had successful career outcomes, which means that they were employed, pursuing postgraduate education, military service or a volunteer commitment within six months of graduation.
Wofford College, established in 1854, is a four-year, residential liberal arts college located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It offers 27 major fields of study to a student body of 1,800 undergraduates. Nationally known for the strength of its academic program, outstanding faculty, study abroad participation and successful graduates, Wofford is recognized consistently as a “best value” and for its commitment to student success and accessibility for low- and middle-income students. The college community has 12 sororities and fraternities as well as 20 NCAA Division I athletics teams.