CollegeNET, which provides Web-based on-demand technologies to colleges, universities, and non-profits, has ranked the College of Staten Island 12th, nationally, in its recent Social Mobility Index (SMI).
According to CollegeNET, “The SMI differs from most other rankings in that it focuses directly on the factors that enable economic mobility. To what extent does a college or university educate more economically disadvantaged people (family incomes below the national median) at lower tuition so that they graduate into good paying jobs? The colleges that do the best at this rank higher according to the SMI.”
Commenting on this recent recognition, CSI Interim President Timothy G. Lynch stated, “The inclusion of the College near the top of the SMI attests to the concerted efforts of CSI faculty and staff to provide excellent academic opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds. Every year, students who are the first in their families to earn a college degree graduate from CSI, leveling the socio-economic playing field when they enter the workforce.”
The methodology, according to CollegeNET, “is computed from six variables: ethos, published tuition, percent of student body whose families whose incomes are below $48K (slightly below the US median), graduation rate, median salary approximately 5 years after graduation, and endowment.”
This isn’t the first time that CSI has been recognized for social mobility. Besides CollegeNET, other organizations, like U.S. News & World Report and Third Way have also listed CSI among the top schools, based on social mobility.
The College of Staten Island is one of 11 CUNY institutions to make this year’s SMI rankings.
By Terry Mares
