'Forbes' ranks CMU 614th nationally


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Screenshot of Forbes.com

 

On Forbes' 2018 list of America's top colleges, University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Kalamazoo College cracked the top 200, while Central Michigan University was ranked 614 out of 650 colleges on the list. 

The 11th iteration of the list was based off alumni salary, debt, student experience, notable alumni, academic success and graduation rate.

“The Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges has always focused on the direct benefits schools provide their graduates,” the article stated. 

The National Center for Education Statistics says there are about 4,700 degree-granting institutions in the United States. Making the Forbes "Top 650" colleges list means CMU ranks in the top 14 percent.  

"Being included on the Forbes ranking is a significant achievement," said Sherry Knight, associate vice president of University Communications.  

CMU was ranked 226 for public colleges, 242 for research universities and 155 in the Midwest.

CMU’s average income for graduates early in their career was $45,700, growing to $81,000 later in their careers. In comparison, Western Michigan University, ranked 577, averaged $48,700 and $90,000 respectively, according to Payscale

In terms of debt, 80 percent of CMU students received federal loans. Undergraduates who finished college graduated with an average total debt of $27,000.  At WMU, 66 percent of students received federal loans and graduated with an average debt of $26,633, according to College Score Card

Two international students, Ghayasuddin Mohammed, a graduate student from Hyderabad, India and Livingston Aduse-poku, a freshman from Accra, Ghana said they liked the college for the financial benefits. 

Most of Forbes’ student experience rating comes from freshman to sophomore retention, the percent of students who stay at a university.

According to Forbes, 78 percent of full-time students stayed for a second year. Half of part-time students stayed for a second year. 



“I am not surprised [of the ranking]. I love it here… but I have heard stories of other students trying to get resources and it not being available," Manistee junior Emily Bauman said.

Fifteen percent of CMU’s rating comes from alumni. Some of the most notable former students include Antonio Brown and the late Dick Enberg.

Forbes’ academic success score came from academic awards granted to alumni and the number of Ph.D recipients who earned their undergraduate degree from CMU. 

The final 12.5 percent of the rating comes from graduation rate, only counting the rate of full-time undergraduates who stayed at the university and enrolled for the first time. 

CMU’s graduation rate was 21 percent for four years and 56 percent for six years.

Wayne State University, ranked 606, had a graduation rate of 11 percent in four years and 34 percent in six years. WMU had similar stats to CMU, with 23 percent and 54 percent in four and six years respectively. 

“It’s sad considering how long I have been here," said St. Clair Shores senior Erin Horn. "I guess it comes down to a variety of things... We are putting all of our money in the wrong basket."

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