Adrian College recognized as No. 1 Innovative College by U.S. News & World Report
Posted Monday, September 13, 2021
Author: Mickey Alvarado
Adrian College was recently recognized as the No. 1 “Most Innovative School” in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022 edition of America’s Best Colleges. This is the 13th consecutive year Adrian College has been featured by U.S. News & World Report.
Adrian College was listed by the media company in its best “Regional Colleges, Midwest” section for the eighth-consecutive year, placing 18th. The College also went from sixth place to number five on the list of best colleges for “Undergraduate Teaching,” and was listed for the eighth-straight year as a “Best Value” regional college, placing 12th. Adrian College placed 26th in “First-Year Experience.”
Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking said he was especially proud of the institution being designated as the number one leader in innovative schools.
“The single-most important thing we can do for our students and our community is to inspire a culture of innovation and critical thinking,” Docking said. “Adrian College recognizes the need for students to be fueled by innovative programs, forward-thinking projects and inspirational surroundings. It is very gratifying to see Adrian College recognized by national publications and peer colleges as a distinctive and innovative educational leader in the United States.”
The Most Innovative Schools designation recognizes colleges and universities that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, students, campus life, technology or facilities. The U.S. News & World Report announcement, coupled with this year’s enrollment of 660 new students, affirms the positive direction the College continues to move in.
Andrea Milner, Adrian College Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, was excited to see Adrian College improved on its ranking for Undergraduate Teaching.
“Our faculty does an outstanding job of engaging our students,” she said. “We have students tell us all the time how much they appreciate our smaller class sizes, because it allows them to really get to know their professors and receive individual attention when they need it.”
Adrian College remaining on the list of Best Value Schools reflects the institution’s commitment to academic quality and the cost of attendance. To determine which colleges and universities offer the best values for students, U.S. News & World Report factors academic quality and cost after accounting for total expenses and financial aid.
The 2022 Best Value Schools listing utilizes four ranking indicators: academic quality (overall score in 2022 Best Colleges rankings) relative to the average discount price paid by full-time undergraduates after receiving need-based grants (50% of score); the percentage of all full-time undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants (20%); the average discount from the school’s total sticker price for full-time undergraduates (10%); and among 2020-2021 full-time undergraduates who received need-based aid, the percentage of that percentage who also received a grant or scholarship – aid that students don’t have to pay back (20%).
To be eligible for inclusion, colleges and universities first had to report sufficient financial aid data to U.S. News in spring and summer 2021. Those that did not report on-campus room and board were excluded from the Best Value Schools ranking, as were any that did not charge tuition, such as the U.S. military academies, which are free. Secondly, to be included, schools must rank in the top half of U.S. News’ overall 2022 rankings of colleges and universities.
U.S. News & World Report ranking information can be found online at www.usnews.com.
For more information on Adrian College, visit Adrian.edu.
