2022 Bachelor's Colleges Ranking

Since 2005, the Washington Monthly has ranked colleges based on what they do for the country. It’s our answer to U.S News & World Report, which relies on crude and easily manipulated measures of wealth, exclusivity, and prestige. We rank liberal arts colleges—four-year institutions that award almost exclusively bachelor’s degrees and that focus on arts and sciences rather than professional programs—based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.

Click here for detailed methodology, here for the rest of our rankings, and here to download the full data set.

Rank	Name	8-year graduation rate	Number of Pell graduates	Net price of attendance for families below $75,000 income	% of loan principal remaining 5 years later	Predicted principal remaining	Social mobility rank	Research rank	Service rank
1	CA State U.–Maritime Academy (CA)*	69%	68	16298	36%	51%	1	24	143
2	Ohio Northern University (OH)	76%	125	20271	42%	48%	11	16	17
3	Cooper U. Adv. of Science & Art (NY)	87%	37	7941	47%	43%	19	1	148
4	Illinois Wesleyan University (IL)	79%	81	21742	41%	47%	13	3	112
5	College of the Ozarks (MO)	68%	199	9075	N/A	53%	4	52	109
6	Elizabeth City State University (NC)*	44%	258	2325	80%	78%	18	46	5
7	Boricua College	59%	115	14462	59%	69%	3	192	103
8	Simpson College (IA)	69%	116	16785	48%	52%	32	36	2
9	Alaska Pacific University (AK)	38%	18	18894	59%	60%	50	35	1
10	Brigham Young University–ID (ID)	67%	1126	4479	52%	59%	2	138	203
11	Goshen College (IN)	72%	58	16281	43%	56%	27	5	98
12	Farmingdale State College (NY)*	56%	327	6077	57%	60%	9	171	26
13	Lake Superior State University (MI)*	68%	735	9372	59%	59%	10	49	67
14	Bethel College (KS)	48%	37	20593	51%	60%	116	4	6
15	Oregon Institute of Technology (OR)*	51%	227	14174	50%	58%	16	25	94
16	Keene State College (NH)*	63%	223	15514	49%	55%	36	45	4
17	Taylor University (IN)	78%	94	19801	41%	51%	30	11	60
18	Elmira College (NY)	63%	93	18462	56%	55%	42	12	29
19	Marietta College (OH)	60%	82	16369	49%	53%	76	23	3
20	Maine Maritime Academy (ME)*	71%	55	20621	33%	55%	6	127	118
21	Hiram College (OH)	58%	118	18758	63%	60%	71	8	14
22	Carroll College (MT)	68%	66	19689	47%	48%	63	19	22
23	Warner Pacific Univ. Adult Prog. (OR)	61%	111	14477	66%	69%	7	125	202
24	Pacific Rim Christian Univ. (HI)	76%	13	14880	66%	74%	5	192	246
25	Wesleyan College (GA)	54%	42	10680	76%	70%	134	7	10
26	William Jewell College (MO)	63%	60	18861	50%	50%	132	10	8
27	Voorhees College (SC)	39%	99	16831	85%	88%	14	142	71
28	Loras College (IA)	68%	78	16849	41%	52%	25	75	52
29	Emmaus Bible College (IA)	72%	20	12715	42%	53%	12	102	161
30	Texas Lutheran University (TX)	55%	99	16991	59%	57%	101	28	7
31	Univ. of Minnesota–Crookston (MN)*	55%	135	7481	52%	59%	24	147	40
32	University of AR–Pine Bluff (AR)*	31%	209	11140	83%	85%	123	6	36
33	Fort Lewis College (CO)*	47%	211	13671	55%	60%	72	32	21
34	University of SC–Upstate (SC)*	55%	522	14231	68%	68%	43	94	23
35	Wade College (TX)	61%	22	17747	76%	73%	8	192	246
36	Faith Bapt. Bible Coll./Theo. Sem. (IA)	52%	17	14204	38%	54%	15	59	220
37	Univ. of Pittsburgh–Bradford (PA)*	45%	89	15084	47%	58%	17	103	163
38	Sterling College (VT)	60%	12	17976	48%	50%	40	192	16
39	Brigham Young Univ.–Hawaii (HI)	65%	138	11413	49%	58%	21	42	192
40	University of ME–Farmington (ME)*	55%	169	12161	59%	56%	82	39	18
41	Wisconsin Lutheran College (WI)	62%	72	16172	44%	50%	54	31	87
42	Alma College (MI)	65%	98	19561	52%	52%	102	13	57
43	Central State University (OH)*	27%	193	11343	87%	85%	69	14	154
44	Mansfield University of PA (PA)*	54%	211	14334	60%	59%	49	40	83
45	CUNY NYC College of Tech. (NY)*	29%	699	4009	65%	67%	26	43	214
46	SUNY College of Tech.–Delhi (NY)*	51%	117	13238	57%	64%	60	140	20
47	College of Mount Saint Vincent (NY)	58%	171	17081	61%	62%	39	89	72
48	Colby-Sawyer College (NH)	59%	114	22285	49%	53%	103	71	9
49	Hobe Sound Bible College (FL)	41%	6	9926	58%	62%	31	192	55
50	NC Wesleyan College (NC)	61%	525	14338	75%	74%	23	157	139
51	Montana State Univ.–Northern (MT)*	42%	75	11636	57%	62%	33	145	75
52	Pacific Union College (CA)	59%	94	18034	60%	59%	78	29	70
53	Criswell College (TX)	32%	13	13764	62%	62%	122	2	223
54	Northland College (WI)	57%	50	16592	54%	53%	172	20	25
55	Cazenovia College (NY)	56%	96	23085	59%	62%	45	118	62
56	Peirce College (PA)	29%	87	6880	80%	85%	22	192	173
57	Dickinson State University (ND)*	38%	72	9494	46%	57%	38	79	146
58	Millikin University (IL)	62%	184	17411	58%	58%	68	38	104
59	Berkeley College–New York (NY)	39%	507	17229	74%	78%	35	181	84
60	Embry-Riddle Aero.–Prescott (AZ)	65%	85	31569	59%	47%	83	62	39
61	Valley City State University (ND)*	44%	54	9352	46%	58%	57	170	45
62	Hastings College (NE)	58%	69	19164	50%	54%	66	41	121
63	Trinity Christian College (IL)	59%	122	19288	50%	58%	44	154	93
64	Univ. of Pittsburgh–Johnstown (PA)*	47%	140	16210	47%	53%	41	64	191
65	Olivet College (MI)	51%	88	20576	69%	65%	89	73	33
66	Kentucky State University (KY)*	28%	126	7444	85%	79%	176	9	79
67	Dalton State College (GA)*	27%	167	5589	68%	63%	79	192	19
68	College of Idaho (ID)	66%	75	19623	54%	54%	130	15	105
69	Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN)	55%	91	10851	62%	57%	80	109	34
70	Warner Pacific University (OR)	46%	65	20293	66%	62%	70	53	114
71	St. Francis College (NY)	52%	202	18483	62%	67%	34	159	172
72	Univ. of Montana–Western (MT)*	46%	83	11467	62%	60%	113	144	12
73	Grace College of Divinity (NC)	31%	2	10024	65%	66%	20	192	246
74	Eureka College (IL)	59%	65	18696	55%	59%	77	111	51
75	Baptist College of Florida (FL)	52%	108	9435	67%	63%	37	192	152
76	WV Wesleyan College (WV)	50%	75	16379	59%	58%	142	26	64
77	Utah Tech University (UT)*	42%	246	12161	69%	60%	112	179	13
78	Bluefield State College (WV)*	40%	92	8752	76%	62%	143	112	11
79	York College (NE)	49%	38	15911	60%	62%	181	22	44
80	Gods Bible School and College (OH)	43%	15	8763	55%	60%	28	192	230
81	Rochester College (MI)	54%	139	15042	65%	66%	59	115	129
82	College of Westchester (NY)	48%	80	15915	73%	77%	58	192	90
83	Calvary University (MO)	46%	24	10801	62%	59%	56	192	95
84	Southwestern Adventist Univ. (TX)	48%	67	18416	69%	65%	92	76	80
85	Lincoln University (MO)*	26%	114	8742	78%	74%	210	18	31
86	Talladega College (AL)	38%	212	16838	84%	86%	61	121	166
87	Baptist Univ. of the Americas (TX)	26%	7	8443	59%	64%	29	192	246
88	Ohio State University–Lima (OH)*	20%	48	11317	54%	59%	55	151	169
89	Mars Hill University (NC)	40%	123	16804	65%	62%	153	56	35
90	Catawba College (NC)	51%	133	16703	59%	62%	111	50	99
91	Benedictine College (KS)	63%	104	21041	45%	47%	104	74	85
92	Le Moyne-Owen College (TN)	23%	81	9170	83%	87%	108	48	128
93	Villa Maria College (NY)	37%	20	10794	64%	69%	51	192	176
94	John Paul the Great Catholic U. (CA)	60%	12	25498	39%	54%	46	192	199
95	Wilmington College (OH)	57%	110	18974	62%	57%	147	51	50
96	SUNY College of Tech.–Canton (NY)*	48%	178	12020	63%	63%	81	184	69
97	Howard Payne University (TX)	46%	78	20216	63%	63%	128	61	65
98	Mayville State University (ND)*	40%	46	10336	57%	59%	110	80	74
99	North Central University (MN)	50%	84	19058	54%	55%	129	60	66
100	LaGrange College (GA)	48%	63	21171	64%	60%	190	37	37
101	University of Maine–Fort Kent (ME)*	51%	61	10493	61%	64%	139	185	24
102	Lewis-Clark State College (ID)*	40%	206	9310	66%	61%	124	99	48
103	Central Christian Coll. of Kansas (KS)	36%	66	13301	60%	67%	52	192	200
104	Barclay College (KS)	46%	19	24074	66%	67%	154	88	30
105	Blackburn College (IL)	46%	50	14550	60%	61%	75	155	133
106	Miami Univ.–Hamilton (OH)*	18%	85	10226	54%	61%	64	174	181
107	Grace Christian University (MI)	37%	42	12390	60%	71%	48	192	216
108	Flagler College–St. Augustine (FL)	64%	248	20325	59%	52%	88	77	158
109	Nevada State College (NV)*	28%	133	12159	71%	68%	117	128	49
110	Trinity College of Florida (FL)	42%	24	14812	71%	69%	62	192	175
111	Averett University (VA)	45%	76	22102	68%	67%	121	143	43
112	Georgia Gwinnett College (GA)*	25%	566	11862	74%	69%	67	130	201
113	Alderson Broaddus University (WV)	46%	54	18114	62%	68%	99	113	115
114	University of Antelope Valley (CA)°	74%	53	21500	70%	68%	84	192	108
115	Bethany College (KS)	42%	43	25054	61%	59%	187	21	147
116	Hannibal-LaGrange University (MO)	55%	97	20188	60%	57%	136	57	101
117	Alice Lloyd College (KY)	35%	46	13558	68%	59%	85	192	116
118	Trine University (IN)	58%	100	19886	52%	56%	105	146	102
119	SUNY Ag. and Tech.–Cobleskill (NY)*	46%	142	14516	56%	62%	93	117	149
120	Stevens–Inst. of Business & Arts (MO)	52%	13	17444	82%	78%	47	192	246
121	Wiley College (TX)^^	42%	319	15729	86%	84%	74	134	190
122	Quincy University (IL)	53%	108	14229	60%	57%	118	97	107
123	IN Inst. of Tech Coll. Prof. Studies (IN)	30%	183	15927	74%	78%	53	192	238
124	Harris-Stowe State University (MO)*	16%	81	10400	79%	87%	107	173	92
125	Saint Augustine's University (NC)	34%	123	20681	85%	88%	114	87	126
126	Bluffton University (OH)	54%	81	24198	58%	58%	127	68	125
127	Life Pacific University (CA)	50%	38	18741	65%	60%	90	148	153
128	University of ME–Presque Isle (ME)*	45%	64	9358	64%	61%	94	150	144
129	South University–Montgomery (AL)°	19%	36	21855	77%	83%	160	192	27
130	Univ. of Arkansas–Fort Smith (AR)*	35%	317	8955	68%	61%	171	162	28
131	Benedict College (SC)	26%	247	16002	89%	84%	185	44	76
132	University of Hawaii–West Oahu (HI)*	51%	155	10853	63%	62%	97	183	130
133	Lander University (SC)*	47%	180	13039	70%	65%	131	82	123
134	Newberry College (SC)	54%	94	18295	69%	66%	126	126	96
135	Lees-McRae College (NC)	53%	80	18841	61%	59%	138	120	77
136	Spring Hill College (AL)	53%	63	19808	60%	55%	201	27	134
137	Philander Smith College (AR)	33%	59	13941	86%	86%	169	67	86
138	Drury U. Coll. Cont. Prof. Studies (MO)	34%	171	13911	70%	67%	73	192	206
139	Rasmussen College–Florida (FL)°	30%	238	18830	72%	76%	119	191	78
140	University of the Ozarks (AR)	49%	39	12257	62%	60%	135	54	180
141	Kuyper College (MI)	56%	27	18435	53%	61%	86	192	187
142	Culver-Stockton College (MO)	51%	79	18690	62%	60%	183	58	89
143	Livingstone College (NC)	29%	117	17225	86%	88%	106	96	198
144	Davis & Elkins College (WV)	45%	53	16390	63%	61%	149	90	106
145	Mount Aloysius College (PA)	50%	64	20782	57%	60%	167	188	38
146	Thiel College (PA)	47%	82	21568	62%	60%	175	33	197
147	WV Univ. Institute of Tech. (WV)*	28%	47	8877	56%	59%	87	139	218
148	Southwestern College (KS)	46%	111	22253	67%	65%	125	141	119
149	Huntingdon College (AL)	47%	96	19677	67%	60%	197	34	127
150	Welch College (TN)	44%	14	19820	60%	58%	100	86	224
151	Stillman College (AL)	22%	79	17144	86%	87%	145	47	188
152	DigiPen Institute of Tech. (WA)°	44%	32	35023	41%	48%	65	192	245
153	Barton College (NC)	53%	104	21067	69%	65%	151	98	120
154	Adrian College (MI)	50%	122	23635	56%	58%	161	55	168
155	Miami Univ.–Middletown (OH)*	16%	49	11430	54%	62%	91	187	209
156	McMurry University (TX)	39%	100	19481	67%	63%	174	69	122
157	Florida Memorial University (FL)	39%	191	17455	87%	82%	156	72	142
158	Sterling College (KS)	45%	50	19305	58%	61%	159	65	156
159	Union College (NE)	52%	47	20384	57%	56%	178	81	88
160	Brescia University (KY)	37%	57	11892	66%	59%	180	176	47
161	Morris College (SC)	29%	95	16230	84%	88%	133	84	174
162	Chowan University (NC)	29%	126	16071	76%	81%	96	137	221
163	Bay State College (MA)°	47%	87	30122	69%	75%	164	192	53
164	University of Maine–Augusta (ME)*	29%	179	9634	71%	65%	141	180	97
165	Hilbert College (NY)	54%	96	13296	64%	58%	95	168	213
166	Tabor College (KS)	50%	69	23992	58%	60%	146	92	151
167	Dakota Wesleyan University (SD)	51%	59	20821	56%	56%	191	156	41
168	Toccoa Falls College (GA)	53%	82	21116	57%	62%	120	101	204
169	Iowa Wesleyan University (IA)	43%	58	27383	64%	63%	215	192	15
170	Williams Baptist University (AR)	41%	50	16828	62%	59%	150	83	171
171	Emmanuel College (GA)	40%	52	19062	71%	63%	245	17	117
172	Bacone College (OK)^^	20%	43	18374	78%	78%	115	192	177
173	Colorado Mesa University (CO)*	36%	309	13805	63%	59%	163	124	131
174	University of Phoenix–Nevada (NV)°	39%	154	14777	79%	68%	198	30	222
175	Jarvis Christian College (TX)	20%	36	13692	86%	87%	109	192	215
176	Limestone College (SC)	48%	280	23063	76%	69%	168	122	145
177	McPherson College (KS)	46%	62	20577	59%	59%	170	136	137
178	OK Panhandle State Univ. (OK)*	27%	42	8330	66%	62%	195	85	113
179	Fisher College (MA)	28%	41	20818	67%	72%	209	192	32
180	Finlandia University (MI)	35%	32	17889	68%	62%	208	70	91
181	Central Baptist College (AR)	32%	36	15164	71%	63%	200	161	54
182	Trinity Baptist College (FL)	36%	21	15056	59%	67%	140	192	167
183	Keystone College (PA)	45%	131	24382	65%	64%	155	160	157
184	William Penn University (IA)	44%	109	19445	68%	65%	166	158	141
185	Johnson & Wales U.–Charlotte (NC)	58%	149	24122	62%	72%	98	192	246
186	Ferrum College (VA)	33%	109	18919	66%	67%	158	165	165
187	Miles College (AL)	26%	149	14662	85%	88%	144	169	189
188	South Univ.–Virginia Beach (VA)°	21%	60	22016	77%	77%	196	192	61
189	University of TN–Southern (TN)*	37%	87	17596	66%	58%	189	192	100
190	Defiance College (OH)	43%	68	24388	61%	63%	202	192	58
191	Central Penn College (PA)°	36%	112	18616	72%	79%	173	192	150
192	Huston-Tillotson University (TX)	28%	66	16053	82%	81%	224	132	56
193	Bethesda University (CA)	30%	14	14563	68%	67%	148	108	243
194	Kentucky Wesleyan College (KY)	41%	54	20588	62%	56%	222	100	82
195	Ctrl. Meth.–Lib. Arts/Sciences (MO)	51%	91	19814	63%	55%	227	63	124
196	Brewton-Parker College (GA)	28%	30	18342	73%	70%	182	175	162
197	Belmont Abbey College (NC)	48%	140	18604	65%	58%	205	152	111
198	Univ. of Advancing Technology (AZ)	31%	63	17128	64%	58%	137	172	242
199	Univ. of SC–Beaufort (SC)*	34%	110	15181	68%	64%	188	131	193
200	Great Lakes Christian College (MI)	22%	9	13958	70%	70%	186	78	236
201	Notre Dame College (OH)	39%	91	18611	67%	66%	192	192	136
202	Arlington Baptist University (TX)	24%	14	19849	65%	71%	165	192	207
203	Blue Mountain College (MS)	54%	52	11360	72%	58%	199	110	179
204	Presentation College (SD)	46%	50	21382	59%	61%	219	192	73
205	Montreat College (NC)	46%	42	19922	69%	63%	220	95	140
206	Paul Quinn College (TX)	14%	12	13375	86%	83%	218	66	182
207	LA State Univ.–Alexandria (LA)*	28%	103	7096	73%	67%	204	177	138
208	Texas College (TX)	16%	52	16108	84%	84%	179	192	205
209	Art Institute of Houston (TX)	22%	111	21275	72%	75%	162	167	239
210	Ecclesia College (AR)^^	17%	11	17080	67%	67%	152	192	246
211	High Point University (NC)	64%	98	33063	52%	49%	234	106	110
212	Ottawa University–Ottawa (KS)	42%	58	23382	69%	62%	217	164	135
213	Art Institute of San Antonio (TX)°	24%	62	21419	72%	70%	157	192	246
214	University of Valley Forge (PA)	45%	53	19003	64%	63%	193	114	229
215	Rocky Mt. Coll. of Art & Design (CO)	35%	70	20990	58%	62%	177	192	231
216	Rogers State University (OK)*	23%	114	13588	71%	63%	238	178	68
217	Dallas Christian College (TX)	28%	19	28236	69%	72%	184	192	228
218	Reinhardt University (GA)	40%	77	21664	64%	59%	213	163	160
219	Kansas Wesleyan University (KS)	45%	58	22647	60%	57%	229	104	170
220	Kentucky Christian University (KY)	26%	27	18672	68%	65%	248	123	46
221	Paul Smith's College (NY)	52%	68	21200	53%	53%	211	166	185
222	Glenville State College (WV)*	27%	90	14541	74%	62%	233	135	132
223	Mid-Atlantic Christian Univ. (NC)	31%	11	19637	72%	68%	242	192	63
224	William Peace University (NC)	48%	74	21766	69%	64%	203	192	195
225	Art Institute of Atlanta (GA)	19%	131	22556	76%	84%	194	149	241
226	Truett McConnell University (GA)	40%	47	16717	65%	63%	216	190	164
227	Arizona Christian University (AZ)	45%	33	22866	62%	63%	214	119	211
228	Mitchell College (CT)	42%	55	24650	62%	62%	207	192	196
229	St. Andrews University (NC)	38%	28	22544	70%	69%	225	107	212
230	DeVry University–Phoenix (AZ)°	24%	100	29404	76%	71%	252	116	42
231	Shaw University (NC)	23%	153	20033	86%	81%	251	91	81
232	Southwestern Christian Univ. (OK)^^	35%	75	15569	72%	68%	206	153	235
233	Vaughn Coll. of Aero. & Tech. (NY)	40%	62	38946	66%	67%	223	182	194
234	Herzing University–Atlanta (GA)°	38%	50	24255	76%	87%	232	192	159
235	Webber International University (FL)	35%	38	23716	70%	71%	237	129	183
236	College of Coastal Georgia (GA)*	25%	91	11942	72%	66%	235	192	155
237	Wright State U.–Lake Campus (OH)*	25%	26	9755	66%	57%	226	192	210
238	University of Phoenix–Hawaii (HI)°	47%	87	13118	79%	69%	236	93	225
239	Point University (GA)	45%	130	19198	79%	72%	228	192	219
240	Art Institute of Austin (TX)	20%	97	23383	72%	71%	212	192	246
241	Brevard College (NC)	40%	40	22014	62%	59%	246	133	184
242	Art Inst. of Virginia Beach (VA)°	31%	35	21226	76%	73%	221	192	246
243	Missouri Valley College (MO)	30%	83	18733	70%	66%	243	186	186
244	Living Arts College (NC)°	52%	37	24829	78%	72%	230	192	234
245	Hallmark University (TX)	44%	17	10258	69%	61%	231	192	232
246	South University–Austin (TX)°	22%	13	23485	77%	73%	256	192	59
247	Crowley's Ridge College (AR)	38%	20	13402	70%	59%	239	192	217
248	Cogswell Polytechnic College (CA)	41%	29	27788	61%	60%	240	192	226
249	Edward Waters College (FL)	22%	56	12890	85%	81%	249	189	178
250	DeVry Univ.–Ft. Washington (PA)°	17%	72	29495	76%	79%	241	192	246
251	AI Miami Int. U. of Art & Design (FL)	31%	194	18621	75%	69%	244	192	237
252	Dean College (MA)	40%	24	28018	66%	62%	253	192	208
253	DeVry University–Columbus (GA)°	23%	206	25715	76%	71%	247	192	244
254	Miami Int. U. of Art/Design–Art Inst. Dallas (TX)	19%	65	21380	76%	72%	250	192	246
255	DeVry Univ.–Iselin (NJ)°	24%	82	19283	76%	70%	254	105	246
256	S. FL Bible College/Theo. Sem. (FL)	47%	11	11460	87%	73%	255	192	240
257	Montserrat College of Art (MA)	58%	29	29236	64%	52%	257	192	227
258	Polytech. U. of PR–Orlando (FL)	29%	14	15140	69%	71%	258	192	246
259	Beacon College (FL)	64%	12	41938	57%	54%	259	192	233

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

2022 Bachelor’s Colleges Ranking

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

* = public
° = for-profit

^^ Under heightened financial monitoring by the U.S. Department of Education

Definitions:

Pell/non-Pell graduation gap: graduation rate for Pell students minus the graduation rate for non-Pell students; a positive number indicates that students who receive Pell grants graduate at a higher rate than those who don’t, and vice versa.

* = public ° = for-profit

^^ Under heightened financial monitoring by the U.S. Department of Education

* = public
° = for-profit