Washington Monthly College Rankings

The 2009 Washington Monthly College Rankings offer a refreshing departure from the traditional methodologies used by other ranking systems. While many of the prominent college rankings—such as those from U.S. News & World Report—focus heavily on academic reputation, financial resources, and selectivity, Washington Monthly’s approach emphasizes an institution’s contribution to the public good. Specifically, the rankings consider three key areas: social mobility, research, and service. This perspective highlights universities and liberal arts colleges that not only provide top-tier education but also contribute meaningfully to the broader societal fabric by supporting low-income students, advancing cutting-edge research, and encouraging students to engage in community service. These three metrics reflect Washington Monthly's vision of colleges as engines of opportunity, discovery, and social impact.

Among the standout performers in the 2009 rankings is the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley), which was recognized as the top university in the nation for its contributions to society. The university was ranked 1st out of 258 national universities. UC Berkeley has long been regarded as a leader in higher education, known for its rigorous academic programs, a rich tradition of political activism, and a commitment to social justice. In the 2009 Washington Monthly rankings, UC Berkeley was particularly praised for its work in promoting social mobility. Social mobility refers to the ability of students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, to not only gain access to higher education but to graduate and thrive in their careers. UC Berkeley’s robust support programs for low-income students, its strong financial aid offerings, and its diverse student body all contributed to its high standing in this area. The university’s commitment to fostering access to education for all, regardless of economic background, reflects its role as an institution of higher learning dedicated to serving the public good.

Research, a hallmark of many top universities, is another area where UC Berkeley excels. Known for its groundbreaking work in fields such as environmental science, medicine, and the social sciences, UC Berkeley has long been at the forefront of academic research. The university’s faculty are leaders in their respective fields, and the institution is consistently ranked among the world’s best for research output and innovation. UC Berkeley has been particularly recognized for its contributions to public policy, environmental advocacy, and technology, all areas with direct implications for societal advancement. The university’s role in advancing new ideas, particularly those that address global challenges, helped solidify its position as the top institution in the Washington Monthly rankings.

Closely following UC Berkeley in the rankings were two other University of California campuses—UC San Diego and UCLA—securing the second and third spots, respectively. Like UC Berkeley, these universities are renowned for their academic rigor and innovative research, as well as their efforts to support social mobility. UC San Diego, often considered a leader in scientific research and technology, has worked tirelessly to ensure that students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds can succeed. With its highly regarded programs in engineering, the biological sciences, and the social sciences, UC San Diego continues to attract students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. UCLA, with its commitment to both academic excellence and community engagement, also ranks highly in promoting social mobility. The university’s financial aid programs, as well as its robust support systems for first-generation college students, contribute to its success in this category.

While the national universities dominated the top positions in the Washington Monthly rankings, the publication also recognized the achievements of liberal arts colleges in its rankings. Westminster College, located in Salt Lake City, Utah, emerged as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the nation. Westminster ranked third in social mobility among 253 liberal arts colleges, an impressive achievement considering the challenges facing small, private institutions in this area. Westminster College’s focus on accessibility and support for low-income students is a core part of its mission. The college has a strong commitment to providing financial aid packages that make higher education attainable for students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. This, in combination with its strong academic programs and community engagement initiatives, earned Westminster College a high place in the rankings. The college was also ranked 68th overall among liberal arts colleges in the nation, placing it among some of the most prestigious institutions in the United States.

Another top performer in the liberal arts college category was Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina. Presbyterian College was ranked 26th among liberal arts colleges and stood out for its focus on service. Service, as defined by Washington Monthly, refers to an institution’s commitment to encouraging students to give back to their communities and engage in meaningful social impact initiatives. Presbyterian College ranked 17th overall in the percentage of federal work-study funds allocated to service, meaning that a significant portion of the college’s work-study funds are devoted to community service projects. In addition, the college’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, which trains students for military service, ranked third nationally. The college’s emphasis on leadership, civic engagement, and service to others is one of its defining characteristics and helped propel it to the top of the rankings.

Clarkson University, a private institution in Potsdam, New York, also received significant recognition in the Washington Monthly rankings. Clarkson University ranked 54th among national universities, a notable improvement of 16 places since the previous 2007 rankings. Clarkson’s strong focus on applied research and its emphasis on preparing students for careers in engineering, business, and science have helped it become a key player in promoting both research and service. Clarkson is also recognized for its commitment to training the next generation of leaders, particularly through its highly regarded ROTC program. The university's continued investment in research, particularly in fields such as engineering and environmental science, has also contributed to its high standing in the rankings. Clarkson’s faculty have received numerous awards for their research and innovation, further underscoring the university’s commitment to producing cutting-edge scholarship.

The 2009 Washington Monthly rankings underscore the importance of universities’ roles in fostering social mobility, advancing research, and encouraging service to the nation. These rankings suggest that colleges and universities should not only be judged by traditional metrics such as academic reputation or selectivity but also by how they contribute to the broader public good. UC Berkeley, Westminster College, Presbyterian College, and Clarkson University are all exemplary in their commitment to these values. Each of these institutions has demonstrated that higher education can be a powerful tool for social change, offering opportunities for all students while also producing research and encouraging service that benefits society as a whole.

The Washington Monthly rankings also remind us that the definition of a "top" university should be multifaceted. It should include not only academic excellence but also an institution’s efforts to serve diverse student populations, engage in meaningful research, and contribute to the public good. As colleges and universities face increasing pressures to demonstrate their value to society, rankings like Washington Monthly's serve as a valuable counterpoint to traditional rankings that often emphasize prestige and resources over the broader contributions that institutions make to their communities and the world.

The 2009 Washington Monthly rankings ultimately highlight the universities and colleges that are leading the way in fulfilling the mission of higher education: to educate and to serve. UC Berkeley, with its emphasis on research and social mobility, and institutions like Westminster College and Presbyterian College, with their focus on service and access, exemplify the ways in which colleges and universities can make a profound and lasting impact on society. As such, these rankings serve as both a celebration of the institutions that are already making a difference and a call to action for others to follow suit.