Mississippi State University ranks 82nd out of more than 240 colleges and universities in Washington Monthly’s third annual survey, “Service for Country.”Ranking 108th in 2006, MSU improved by 28 spots, which places the university as the third-highest school in the Southeastern Conference.
The survey is based on various criteria including community service, research and how frequently the school admits and graduates low-income students.
Associate provost of academic affairs Jerry Gilbert said he believes one of the main factors of MSU’s drastic increase in one year is because the graduation rate is slightly more than the expected percentage.
This is based on the economic status of MSU’s students and because of the financial help The university offers to its low-income students.
Washington Monthly’s survey not only bases it’s ranks on what the college or university can do for the students, but also what it can do for the United States.
“It is an honor that Mississippi State was chosen,” Gilbert said. “Washington Monthly’s survey is different from the other surveys such as US News and World Report because they base it on what MSU is doing for the country. I believe we have always been strong in that field.”
The survey is also based on the number of students involved in ROTC and the Peace Corps, the percentage of students that qualify for federal Pell Grants and the percentage of federal college work-study grants devoted to community service. The ranks are also based on total research expenditures and the number of doctorates awarded in science and engineering.
“It is encouraging that we are climbing the ranks,” assistant vice president of student affairs Bill Broyles said.
According to the MSU Web site, 32 percent of MSU students receive Pell Grants and 58 percent of those students graduate within six years.