Wall Street Journal ranks Augustana No. 9 among best liberal arts schools in the Midwest

Augustana College ranked No. 9 in the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. ranking of highest-ranked liberal arts schools in the Midwest. According to The Wall Street Journal, the ranking emphasizes how much each school boosts student outcomes beyond what is expected. 

“We’re thrilled to be recognized once again as a transformational institution for students of all backgrounds,” said President Andrea Talentino. “Augustana’s skilled faculty, our focus on engaged learning and our top-notch facilities lead to great outcomes for our students, helping them to grow beyond what they ever imagined.”

Other Illinois liberal arts schools recognized by The Wall Street Journal/Pulse include No. 1-ranked Lake Forest College and No. 7-ranked Wheaton College. 

In addition to student outcomes, accounting for 70%; the ranking also prioritizes the learning environment, accounting for 20%; and the diversity of a school’s student and faculty, accounting for 10%. 

The Wall Street Journal has published U.S. college rankings since 2016. The rankings emphasize student outcomes, by way of graduation rates and graduate salaries. The rankings seek to measure the value added by colleges.

Ranked No. 100 in the U.S. News & World Report's best national liberal arts colleges, Augustana also earned additional U.S. News recognition in the categories of Best Undergraduate Teaching, Best Value Schools and Top Performers on Social Mobility. 

More information about Augustana’s other distinctions is available at www.augustana.edu/about-us/rankings.