The U.S. News & World Report released its 2020 “Best Colleges” report on Sept. 9. The report showed Milligan jumped up in the rankings by 10 spots to number 13 in the “Best Regional Universities” in the South. The only other school from Tennessee to make it in the top 25 was Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tenn.
The rankings are determined by grouping schools into 10 categories based on academic missions. There are then 15 indicators of academic quality within each category that determines each school’s score on a zero to 100 scale.
“The fact that we stayed in the top 25 is a real testament to the quality of what goes on here at Milligan,” said President Bill Greer. “And to move up 10 spots this year to number 13 really reinforces that.”
Milligan also ranked fourth in a second category, “Best Value Schools” in the regional universities in the south group, jumping two spots from last year. This ranking is determined by the ratio of academic quality to price, need-based aid, need-based scholarships and grants that help offset the total cost of the school.
Currently, the total cost for education at Milligan costs $7,400 less than the national average for private colleges. Milligan students also have an average federal loan debt of about $3,000 less than the national average.
Other areas looked at for the “Best Value Schools” ranking are the graduation and retention rates. With a graduation rate of 64% and a retention rate of 76%, Milligan has the highest rates in the area. “This shows people that this is a good value for the investment,” said Greer.
President Greer also talked about the high graduation and retention rates. These show people the quality of education the determination of students and faculty at Milligan, all for an affordable price. “When you start at Milligan, you progress, and you finish. You don’t drag it out for five, six or seven years, and that means it’s more affordable in the end,” said Greer.
Milligan was also ranked number 43 in a new category this year, “Top Performers on Social Mobility.” This list shows how well schools are at graduating Pell Grant recipients or economically disadvantaged students.
“We find a way for students of ability to come to Milligan with programs like the Goah Diversity Scholarship,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean, Garland Young. Adding that this will help show prospective students that may be in a low-income situation that Milligan is an option and can help them succeed.
President Greer also talked about the impact all three of the rankings will have on Milligan. He mentioned that some high school seniors and their parents use the U.S. News report to get information on colleges. “When you are consistently ranked high, there is a comfort level for prospective students and their families,” said President Greer. “This reassures them that Milligan is a legitimate high quality, higher education choice.”
Young added that this list helps bring students who may have never thought about Milligan to the campus for a visit. “Some students say they knew [which college was right for them] as soon as they got out of the car. And that is something that cannot be factored in a list,” said Young. “These rankings are important to give students who might not look our way, a first look at Milligan.”
When asked why he thought Milligan got such excellent rankings, President Greer gave credit to faculty and staff, students and the whole Milligan community. He mentioned how the relationship between professors and students is a big contributor to the high graduation rate. “Our professors really care about their students, and they want them to succeed,” said President Greer. He also added that because of this, the students want to do well, to please professors, which in turn creates student success.
Both President Greer and Young also credited part of Milligan’s successfulness to the admissions department. “We are recruiting the right kinds of students and making sure our students are taken care of,” said Young.
President Greer also talked about the size of the school having a lot to do with Milligan’s rankings. He mentioned that with such a small community, everyone pretty much knows everyone.
“The community atmosphere here, a small intimate institution where students know each other and hold each other accountable,” President Greer said, “That’s what lands us on a list like this.”