Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases its best colleges rankings in nearly 50 different categories.
These rankings are based on nominations from top higher education officials across the country, including university presidents and provosts, who are surveyed and asked to identify exceptional and promising institutions.
"I'm proud of the progress we've made in the past year and the momentum we continue to generate," said President Daniel J. Elsener. Administrators, faculty, and staff won't rest on these laurels, however. "We'll continue to explore strategies and tactics to further improve our performance compared to peers in the Midwest and throughout the nation," President Elsener added.
They evaluate 16 different aspects of an institution's academic quality, including student retention and graduation outcomes, faculty resources, financial resources, student excellence (including SAT/ACT scores and high school GPAs), and alumni giving, among others.
The 2019 U.S. News & World Report findings were released September 10, 2018. Marian University climbed significantly in three key categories:
- #10: Most Innovative Regional Universities (Midwest). This is the first time Marian has ever been ranked in this category, which recognizes schools making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology, or facilities. Marian tied for the tenth-place spot with institutions from states including Ohio and Minnesota.
- #24: Best Value Universities (Midwest). Marian rose six places in this category, up from #30 in 2018. Factors considered include a school's academic quality and its 2017-18 net cost of attendance for students who receive an average amount of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost equates to the best value. Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included.
- #38: Best Regional Universities (Midwest). Marian rose a remarkable nine spots in this category to be included among the Top 40. This category considers colleges that offer a full range of undergraduate and some master's degree programs with a lesser number of doctoral programs. Marian tied with schools in states including Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.