At Westminster College, we are dedicated to enabling students with the skills they need to succeed and get ahead in the world, regardless of their economic status. In fact, we have been named one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the country for helping students climb the economic ladder after graduation. Ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 1 in Pennsylvania in the Top Performers on Social Mobility list in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Colleges ranking released this fall, Westminster is recognized for providing accessible and affordable education to all students with ability and motivation. According to the U.S. News & World Report, economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, but Westminster arms those students with the support and tools necessary to guide them through graduation and beyond. The Top Performers list assesses how well colleges and universities graduate economically disadvantaged students. The social mobility ranking is computed by aggregating two ranking factors that measure graduation rates of Pell-awarded students: Pell Grant graduation rates and Pell Grant graduation rate performance. Pell Grants, a form of need-based federal financial aid, are offered to students from households whose family incomes are less than $50,000 annually, though most Pell Grant money goes to students with a total family income below $20,000. Last year the average graduation rate for Pell Grant recipients was 55%, while Westminster’s rate was 69%, 14 points above the national average. This is the fourth consecutive year Westminster has been recognized by U.S. News as one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country for low-income students—a true sign of our commitment to student success. Westminster has jumped 10 slots since its first showing in 2019 (No. 19). In 2020, Westminster was ranked 14, and last year Westminster took the No. 10 overall spot on U.S. News’ list. In addition to this year’s No. 9 ranking, Westminster earned the highest marks in social mobility among 21 Pennsylvania liberal arts colleges that were recognized on the list. In addition to Pell Grants and other need-based and merit scholarships, special programming such as the College’s TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) is also available to make a Westminster education affordable and accessible. Through a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Student Support Services, we offer services and resources—academic tutoring, academic success and wellness coaching—to first-generation, income-eligible students and students with disabilities to ensure they successfully navigate their college education and are positioned to move ahead after graduation. Since our 1852 founding, we have provided robust academic programs and a collaborative and transformative learning experience to everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex or religion. Located one hour north of Pittsburgh in New Wilmington, Pa., we offer more than 50 majors and programs of study leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Nursing degrees. Westminster students learn from and collaborate with our award-winning faculty scholars, researchers and industry professionals. Our collaborative learning approach enables students to participate in faculty-mentored research projects, giving them real hands-on experiences. Service learning and internship opportunities also position our students for success beyond graduation. Our 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures individualized attention with professors who are dedicated to student success. While we are dedicated to developing student minds, we understand the importance of engaging students outside of the classroom too. We feature 22 NCAA Division III varsity sports for men and women—and student-athletes make up more than half of the student body. Outside of competitive sports, we offer more than 80 student organizations and clubs—as well as a vibrant Greek life with four fraternities and five sororities. Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), Westminster’s Office of Faith and Spirituality serves individuals of all faith backgrounds and offers weekly worship opportunities throughout the year. The 300-acre campus features 100 acres conserved for scientific education and research. A 46-acre Field Station includes a Nature Center, nature trail, a meditation labyrinth and various experimental and conservation areas. Brittain Lake enhances the beauty of the campus and provides a space for students to boat, fish and relax, while also serving as a learning environment for biology and environmental science classes. The College Woods boasts a mature 40-acre beech-maple forest and provides excellent opportunities for ecological studies and recreational walking. To learn more about Westminster College, visit us online at www.westminster.edu.
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