October 10, 2024
Shawnee State University (SSU) ranked among the best colleges in the nation by U.S. News & World Report for the sixth year in a row.
SSU ranked among the 40 Top Public Universities in the Midwest and was also recognized in the Best Regional Universities Midwest Rankings. These rankings include colleges that offer a full range of undergraduate programs, some master’s programs, and a few doctoral programs.
“This is what we mean by educational value,” Dr. Eric Andrew Braun, SSU President, said. “Our programs are ranked among the best in the Midwest and the nation and are offered to all students at the lowest tuition rate in Ohio. Families don’t want to take on student debt for a top education and we don’t believe they should have to either.”
Notably, SSU improved its ranking as a Top Performer on Social Mobility by over 40 places, now ranking #41. This highlights the university’s commitment to enrolling and graduating a significant number of disadvantaged students, particularly those who receive Pell grants. Many SSU students are the first in their families to attend college. Social mobility indicates that Shawnee State University graduates are able to use their degrees to significantly increase their family income, often moving from low-income ranges to the top 40 percent of income earners.
“A college degree is a powerful catalyst for upward mobility,” Dr. Kimberly Inman, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, said. “At Shawnee State we are proud of the work that our faculty and staff do every day to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to excel in the job market. We provide a real-world, practical education that prepares our students for the start of their careers – and a better life. We celebrate and are motivated by the impact our graduates have on our surrounding region.”
The university’s Occupational Therapy program has yet again been highlighted among the Best Graduate Schools in the nation. SSU offers several pathways in occupational therapy, including a two-year associate degree for occupational therapy assistants, a master’s degree available as a compressed 3+2 option for incoming freshmen, and a post-professional doctorate designed for practicing therapists seeking to advance their careers.
“Universities, families, students, and legislators pay attention to these types of rankings,” President Braun added. “For us, it’s validation of the education we’re providing and how we are living out the Shawnee State mission. We are making high-quality degrees possible for all students in our region and setting them up for success in their lives after graduation.”