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Sage in Top 15 for Social Mobility and 35 for Best Value
Russell Sage College has again earned multiple U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2024 in the National Universities category. Most notably, the college has ranked 15th among national universities for Social Mobility, a distinction calculated based on graduation rates of Pell-awarded and first-generation students.
The annual rankings were released today, September 18.
Russell Sage was ranked higher than any other Capital Region institutions included in the National University category, including University at Albany (31) and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (252). Russell Sage is listed in the national universities category because it offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Several other Capital Region colleges and universities are listed in the Regional Universities North or National Liberal Arts Colleges categories.
U.S. News & World Report calculates the Social Mobility rankings by looking at the six-year graduation rates of undergraduate Pell Grant students from the fall 2013 through fall 2016 entering classes and adjusts them to give extra credit to schools with a larger proportion of Pell-receiving students. At Russell Sage, 57% of undergraduate students are Pell-eligible, meaning the majority have adjusted gross family incomes of less than $50,000. The rankings also compare graduation rates among Pell-receiving vs. non-Pell students.
The College also earned a U.S. News & World Report ranking of 35 among national universities for Best Value, which takes four factors into consideration:
- The percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants.
- The average discount from each school’s total sticker price (including room and board and other expenses) in relation to the average need-based grant.
- The ratio of the quality, which is determined by a school’s overall score in the 2024 Best Colleges rankings, to what a student would pay after receiving the school’s average need-based scholarship or grant package.
- The percent of students receiving a scholarship or grant among the percent of students receiving need-based aid.
Other Capital Region schools on the Best Value list include University at Albany (88) and RPI (128). Last year, Russell Sage ranked 14 for Social Mobility and 36 for Best Value.
“Russell Sage College prides itself on meeting the needs of students today, which are ever-evolving,” said Russell Sage College President Christopher Ames. “Our Gator Gateway is a signature way of serving students that includes personalized coaching from staff and peers, career-preparation embedded into the curriculum, and a focus on wellness and well-being through our Thrive@Russell Sage initiative. We believe this is key to our success as we help all students achieve rewarding careers and satisfying lives built upon an affordable and accessible college education.”
Russell Sage was also ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs and Best Colleges for Veterans. In the overall national rankings, the college moved up 23 spots to 195 out of 435 institutions, including Ivy League and flagship public universities.