September 6, 2014 - King’s College has been again been placed on an exclusive list of “Best American Colleges” compiled for “Forbes” magazine by The Center for College Affordability and Productivity based on multiple factors related to success after graduation, affordability, student satisfaction, and student and faculty achievement.

King’s placed 471st of 650 institutions in the annual rankings. Less than 15 percent of the nearly 4,400 colleges and universities nationwide are included in “Forbes” seventh annual ranking. King’s is the only Luzerne County college or university included in the list and one of only two institutions (University of Scranton) in northeastern Pennsylvania. Both have been named to the list every year of its existence.

According to the magazine, “The ‘Forbes’ list of 650 schools distinguishes itself from competitors by our belief in “output” over “input.” We’re not all that interested in what gets a student intocollege, like our peers who focus heavily on selectivity metrics such as high school class rank, SAT scores and the like. Our sights are set directly on Return On Investment: What are students getting outof college?”

“King’s College has always prided itself on providing its students an education that prepares them well for their personal and professional lives after graduation,” said Father John Ryan, C.S.C., president.  “Higher education is the most significant financial investment that a family makes for their children.  In addition to placing on the “Forbes” list each year since its inception, King’s has been recognized in other national polls for providing an outstanding return on that investment.  The greater relative success of a King’s graduate thereby better enables them to make a financial commitment toward the education of their children.”

Factors considered for inclusion on the “Forbes” list, arranged in descending order of emphasis, are post-graduate success (32.5%), student satisfaction and student debt (25% each), academic success (10%), and graduation rate (7.5%).

The Center for College Affordability and Productivity, based in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to research on the issues of rising costs and efficiency in higher education.

King’s College is a Catholic College Sponsored by the Congregation of Holy Cross.