Samford University students are among the nation’s most engaged according to the 2021 rankings published by The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education. Samford is ranked second nationally for Student Engagement, climbing one spot from third last year. Samford also ranked 183rd overall among the nearly 800 universities in the national ranking, and first in Alabama, a position held every year since the rankings’ inception in 2016.
The annual Student Engagement ranking assesses the degree to which students feel prepared to use their education in the real world. According to The Wall Street Journal, this category examines “how engaged students feel they are with their professors, their peers and their education.” Student engagement is deemed to be central to exceptional teaching quality and reflects “how well a university manages to inform, inspire and challenge students.” To measure student engagement, the ranking aggregates results from the Times Higher Education Student Survey as well as the breadth of courses and accredited programs available for students.
Samford’s mission to nurture student development intellectually, ethically and spiritually is fostered through an array of opportunities including 166 student organizations, global engagement in more than 19 different countries, and more than 180 courses that incorporate community service. Additionally, undergraduate students complete Samford’s core curriculum, providing a well-rounded foundation in the liberal arts. The result is a highly-tailored educational experience that results in 97% of undergraduate alumni employed or in further study within six months of graduation.
“Rankings are just one measure of a university’s effectiveness and reputation, but it is encouraging to see the praiseworthy work of our faculty and staff recognized by The Wall Street Journal,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland. “At Samford we know that success after graduation means not only advancing professional goals, but also pursuing personal growth in purpose and faith. Nurturing student development is important in accomplishing this mission.”
The latest Wall Street Journal ranking affirms Samford’s growing national reputation. Samford is regularly recognized as one of the leading Christian universities in the United States, and receives high marks for both quality and value. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Samford 86th in the nation in its Best Value Schools, and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks Samford 34th nationally among private universities in its Best College Values.
