By Shannon West
Contributing Writer
The U.S. News & World Report 2015 list was released last week, ranking St. Bonaventure University No. 3 as one of the best values in the North. It ranked No. 24 out of 181 institutions in the Best Regional Universities in the North, making it the No. 1 institution in New York state.
The ranking is St. Bonaventure’s highest on U.S. News’ list of Best Regional Universities in the North, which includes colleges offering a full range of master’s degree programs. In the 2014 list, U.S. News ranked St. Bonaventure No. 5 for value and No. 33 in Regional Universities.
“It is what we’ve known for a very long time, that not only is it known for its merit and need-based financial aid programs, but also what happens to students when they come here,” Emily Morris, Vice President of University Relations, said. “St. Bonaventure has an excellent value. In recent years, we have climbed up the list because increasingly, students have out-performed their success. They graduate at rates higher than they would be predicted to graduate, and they become extraordinary.”
The magazine determined the value ranking using three figures: ratio of academic quality to price, need-based aid and average discount. At St. Bonaventure, 76 percent of students receive some form of need-based grant. The 2014-15 average annual cost after receiving institutional scholarships and need-based grants, and state and federal need-based grants is $18,577. However, U.S. News changed its ranking process two years ago by including the graduation rate of a university by the input and success of the students.
“I think ultimately what students are looking for is a mix of several things.” Morris said. “Having the U.S. News & World Report is important, but the really important thing is you have the academic program that perspective students are looking for, because academic programs are of a high quality, and you could show what happens to a student and what kinds of opportunities students will have as a result of participating in that academic program at your institution.”
Morris said this recognition reflects well on the university.
“It gives us the opportunity to say something that none of our other competitor institutions can say,” Morris said. “In a very competitive environment in which we operate, it gives us something to say about ourselves. It is great and perhaps it will give St. Bonaventure a look, but after that it is our job to really help those students see themselves on this campus as a perspective student. Once they’re at the table (our job is to) convey the spirit, meaning, and definition of St. Bonaventure University.”
westsm14@bonaventure.edu
