Retaining it’s place, ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ is again Virginia’s top school for social mobility.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ is the top-ranked Virginia university for social mobility in the , placing No. 14 among Regional Universities in the South. ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ also ranks No. 29 (tie) among private universities in the South and No. 59 (tie) overall in the category.
What is “social mobility,” and what does it measure?
Social mobility is the idea that education can change a family’s trajectory: a student from a lower-income household can graduate into a life with more opportunity than the one they grew up with. A college degree is one of the most reliable ways to make that move, but only if the student finishes it.
That’s what U.S. News measures. The ranking looks at students who receive federal Pell Grants, which go to students with the greatest financial need, and asks whether a school graduates them at rates close to everyone else’s.
“Social mobility — the movement from a lower income bracket to a higher one — is one of the central promises of a college education. Social mobility is too low in the United States, and particular in the American South,” Interim President Gary Daynes explains.
He continues:
“That’s why ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ is proud that its graduates outperform those of all other Virginia private universities in social mobility. That success grows from the resilience of our students, the quality of our faculty, the comprehensiveness of our student support, and our commitment to give students an education that forms them for leadership and prepares them for the workforce.”
Gary Daynes, Interim President
Ranking No. 1 in Virginia means ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ students from every income level are crossing the finish line and accessing opportunities they otherwise might not have had.
How ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Supports that Success
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ continues to invest in programs that support social mobility both in and out of the classroom.
Support from Day One: The Commons
Every new undergraduate at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ is connected with a team of support before the first day of class. That team includes an advising coach, career coaches, and tutors, all based in one location: The Commons at Grafton Library.
- Advising Coaches help first-year students adjust to college life, register for their first classes, and connect with mentors and campus resources.
- The Academic Resource Center offers tutoring and writing support for every student, whether they’re struggling in a course or aiming higher.
- Accessibility Services works to remove barriers and arrange accommodations so every student has an equal footing in the classroom.
Career Readiness: The McCree Center for Life Success
The McCree Center gives every ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ student career advising and support, from the first year of undergrad through graduate school. Advisors help each student build a personalized roadmap of experiences matched to the career and life they want.
Students use the McCree Center for:
- Resume help and interview preparation
- Internships and real-world work experience
- Networking with employers and ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s alumni network
- Recruiting events, including the annual All Majors Career Fair
A Community Built In
Through ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ Signature, every residential undergraduate joins a Neighborhood: a community of classmates, faculty mentors, and advisors organized around shared academic and career interests. Students live alongside their Neighborhood peers in their first year, take classes together, and share field trips, lectures, and visits from professionals in their field.
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ also offers programs that connect students with mentors and peers from day one:
- Ubuntu Mentoring Program, which pairs student leaders with first-year students for academic, emotional, and social support
- Ida B. Wells and PERSIST Scholars, living-learning communities centered on leadership and African American culture
- Umoja House and La Casa Rosario Castellanos, cultural centers in McClung Residence Hall
Making College Affordable
More than 95 percent of ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ students receive scholarship or grant assistance. New full-time undergraduates are considered for academic scholarships of up to $20,000 per year, renewable for four years. Virginia residents are also eligible for the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant.
Faster Paths Forward
ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ students can finish a bachelor’s degree in three years, and many programs offer accelerated tracks into ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ graduate programs. Both options save time and tuition, and they help students start careers sooner.