Waynesburg University was recently named to Money Magazine’s 2020 “Best Colleges for Your Money” list, marking the fifth consecutive year that the University has been recognized.
Waynesburg was one of 70 schools across the state of Pennsylvania to qualify for the list and was fifth among public and private institutions of all sizes in southwestern Pennsylvania.
“Our recognition for value and outcomes has always been meaningful to us, but during this unprecedented time, it is so much more relevant to our students and their families,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee. “We are proud that a Waynesburg University education continues to be among the most affordable in our region and the country.”
Our recognition for value and outcomes has always been meaningful to us, but during this unprecedented time, it is so much more relevant to our students and their families."
Waynesburg was ranked No. 339 out of the 739 schools nationwide to qualify for Money’s list. According to an article published on Money.com, “the difference between Smith College (No. 260) and Waynesburg University (No. 339) is just 0.05 points in their overall score.”
To qualify, schools had to have at least 500 students; have sufficient, reliable data; not be in financial distress; and have a graduation rate at or above the median for its institutional category.
Schools were then ranked according to 27 factors across three categories – quality of education (30%), affordability (40%) and outcomes (30%).
Due to the current economic outlook, this year Money increased the emphasis on affordability by adding two new net price figures to capture affordability for students from middle-income backgrounds alongside the existing measure of net price for low-income students.
Waynesburg University’s tuition, room and board is more than $11,000 below the national average for a private, non-profit, four-year college, and the student loan default rate of 4.6% is far lower than the national average of 10.1%.
Earlier this summer, Waynesburg was named a 2020-2021 College of Distinction for a commitment to the implementation of High-Impact Educational Practices across the distinctions of Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community and Successful Outcomes.
Waynesburg’s business, education and nursing fields of study also received specialized recognition by Colleges of Distinction.
