Salve Regina climbs to 23rd in U.S. News’ Best Colleges rankings

Salve Regina’s ranking among the best institutions of higher education in the United States climbed eight places from a year ago to 23rd, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 Best Colleges survey in its Regional Universities – North category. The University was also recognized nationally for best undergraduate teaching, as a best value school, as a top performer on social mobility and as a best bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program.

The publication’s 2022 Best Colleges rankings, made public today, assessed 1,466 bachelor’s degree-granting institutions in the United States on 17 measures of academic quality — such as student-faculty ratio, graduation and retention rate, academic reputation, faculty resources, financial resources per student, alumni giving and more.

Salve Regina faculty were collectively designated among the best in the Undergraduate Teaching category based on a peer assessment survey of college presidents, provosts and admissions deans. Salve Regina was among the colleges receiving the most “top 15” nominations for featuring faculty and administrators who are committed to teaching undergraduate students in a high-quality manner.

Best Value institutions are academically high performing schools that also cost considerably less as a result of financial aid, particularly in the form of need-based grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back. Ranking factors include the percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants, the average discount from the university’s total “sticker price,” the ratio of academic quality to cost and the percent of students receiving need-based aid.

As a Top Performer on Social Mobility, Salve Regina was assessed to be more successful than other universities in enrolling and graduating students who have been awarded Pell Grants. Students receiving these grants typically come 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.

Salve Regina’s bachelor of science in nursing program (BSN) was ranked among the best as a result of the average of scores received from surveys of top academics and officials at nursing schools or departments from across the country. These officials rated the overall quality of undergraduate BSN programs they were familiar with on a 1-5 scale.

While assessments of non-academic characteristics at universities are not included in the U.S. News rankings data, such feedback is provided by students, parents, alumni, staff and others on USNews.com. Of these respondents, 100 percent stated they would recommend Salve Regina to a friend.

“I love attending Salve Regina,” one student wrote. “The campus is very nice and there are lots of programs to choose from. The classes are interactive and challenging. The city of Newport is awesome — there is always something new happening, and so many great places to eat and hang out. The dorms and dining areas are nice and clean. There are lots of on-campus activities — clubs, sports, volunteering — and lots of opportunities to do internships and gain experience in your field of study.”

Salve Regina’s ranking in the U.S. News survey comes two weeks after the University was selected as a “Best in the Northeast” by The Princeton Review.

James Fowler, vice president for enrollment management at Salve Regina, said today’s students are seeking an education that not only educates and prepares them for future success, but also one that offers a meaningful, transformational experience that will allow them to make a positive impact on the world.

“This is the type of education that Salve provides and our growing reputation reflects the fact that the University is excelling in offering our students an environment where they can become their best selves,” Fowler said.