January 4, 2024
Shawnee State University has been ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth year in a row.
“These types of rankings confirm what we and our students experience every day,” SSU Interim President, Dr. Eric Braun, said. “Shawnee State professors are experts in their fields and deliver quality programs that prepare students to excel in their chosen careers. More than rankings, our graduates are evidence of how an SSU education changes lives.”
Among the categories, SSU increased its ranking as a Top Performer on Social Mobility by over ten slots, ranking #89 – reflecting the university’s efforts to enroll and graduate large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell grants. The ranking expresses SSU’s ability to move students from lower economic class to a higher level with the skills and experience that come with earning a college degree. Many of SSU’s students that fall into this category are the first in their family to attend college.
“Shawnee State University continues to perform admirably in these rankings in comparison to our peer institutions,” SSU Provost and Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Dr. Sunil Ahuja said. “I am especially pleased about our improvement in the Social Mobility category, conveying the value of education that Shawnee State provides to disadvantaged students in the region and the dedicated faculty and staff who play an integral role in students’ upward mobility. We look forward to improving our standing even more in all categories in the years to come.”
SSU also ranked among the best Regional Universities Midwest and the Top Public Schools in Regional Universities Midwest. These rankings include colleges that offer a full range of undergraduate programs, some master’s programs, and a few doctoral programs.
The university’s Occupational Therapy program ranked among the Best Graduate Schools in the nation. SSU offers several degrees in occupational therapy including a two-year associates degree for occupational therapy assistants, a master’s degree that is also offered as a compressed 3+2 degree for incoming freshmen who want to be prepared for their career in only five years, and the post-professional doctorate in occupational therapy designed for the practicing therapists interested in advancing their careers.