Brigham Young University Ranks Among Top 20 Colleges in the U.S. According to The Wall Street Journal
SALT LAKE CITY – Brigham Young University (BYU) has been recognized as one of the top 20 colleges in the United States, according to The Wall Street Journal and College Pulse’s 2024 Best Colleges in the U.S. list. The list, which ranks the top 400 colleges and universities in the country and scores them out of 100, placed BYU at an impressive No. 20.
Topping the list were prestigious institutions such as Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Yale University, Stanford University, and Columbia University. While BYU’s ranking may be slightly lower, it still represents a remarkable achievement and affirms the university’s commitment to academic excellence and student success.
The survey evaluated colleges based on various factors, including salary impact compared to similar colleges, graduation rate compared to similar colleges, years to pay off net price, learning opportunities, career preparation, learning facilities, recommendation score, diversity, average net price, and value added to graduate salary.
BYU displayed strong performance in several key areas. With a score of 95, the university excelled in terms of salary impact. Additionally, it received scores above 90 for learning facilities and recommendation score, highlighting the quality of education and support provided to students.
The average net price of attending BYU was listed at $13,522, making it an affordable option for students seeking higher education. Moreover, the value added to graduate salary, as determined by The Wall Street Journal, was an impressive $44,630.
The rankings were determined by weighing various criteria. Student outcomes, such as salary impact and graduation rate, accounted for 70% of the overall score, while the quality of the learning environment carried a weight of 20%. Diversity, an important aspect of a well-rounded education, was given a 10% weight in the ranking methodology.
To compile the rankings, data was collected from multiple reliable sources, including the U.S. Education Department’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, and an independent survey of college students and recent alumni. The latter involved a massive sample size of 60,953 participants, making it one of the largest surveys of its kind.
Other Utah-based schools also made a strong showing in the top 400 rankings. The University of Utah secured the No. 43 spot, while Weber State University, Utah Valley University, and Utah State University were ranked at No. 267, No. 278, and No. 293, respectively.
Overall, BYU’s recognition as a top 20 college in the U.S. underscores the university’s commitment to providing a high-quality education and preparing students for successful careers. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of faculty, staff, and students who contribute to the institution’s academic excellence.