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ɫ����Ƶ proudly announces its outstanding achievements in national higher education rankings, underscoring its commitment to career preparation and academic excellence. The Wall Street Journal, College Pulse, and Statista have recognized ɫ����Ƶ as one of the top 10 schools in the nation for Career Preparation in their 2025 rankings. The University also earned an impressive 99 out of 100 points for graduates' starting salaries. When it comes to return on investment, Business Insider has ranked ɫ����Ƶ as one of the top in the nation as a Best Bang for Your Buck, and Smart Asset has scored ɫ����Ƶ as the No. 1 school in Michigan for graduates' starting salaries. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce also ranked ɫ����Ƶ as No. 33 out of 4,500 colleges and universities on return on investment.

The WSJ/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. ranks undergraduate institutions by the value they offer students based on learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation, and diversity. The results are derived from official data from the U.S. Department of Education and the Census Bureau, along with a nationwide survey of undergraduate students and recent alumni.

“These accolades reflect the unwavering drive of our distinguished faculty, ambitious students, accomplished alumni, and the entire ɫ����Ƶ community,” said ɫ����Ƶ President Dr. Robert K. McMahan. “They highlight not only our commitment to excellence but also the exceptional outcomes achieved through our unique educational model. By combining rigorous academics with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities, we ensure our students are prepared to lead, innovate, and to create the future.”

Since its founding in 1919, ɫ����Ƶ has brought hands-on STEM-focused learning to life through its 50/50 blend of rigorous academics and paid Co-op employment. Unlike a traditional university, ɫ����Ƶ’s curriculum alternates every 11 weeks, all 4.5 years, between a classroom environment and professional employment experience. Students spend one term mastering theories and skills in classrooms and labs, then applying them in a paid Co-op role the next term, working on projects that add value to the company’s bottom line. 

"Recognition on the national level is a great proof point of our unique and successful Co-op model, which gives our students a jump start on their career ahead of their peers with professional experience, or as we like to say, ‘real work’ before they graduate,” said Enza Sleva, ɫ����Ƶ’s Director of Co-op and Career Design. “This is how our students start ahead and stay there."

According to The Wall Street Journal writers Tom Corrigan and Kevin McAllister, “With faith in higher education continuing to slide… the investment in a college degree has come under increased scrutiny. As such, the WSJ/College Pulse ranking seeks to reward institutions that showcase demonstrable positive outcomes for their students and alumni… Schools with historically strong technical and engineering programs also did especially well in the ranking this year, in part because of strong industry demand for those skills.”

ɫ����Ƶ's recent achievements extend beyond the Wall Street Journal rankings. ɫ����Ƶ has been featured in The Princeton Review’s The Best 390 Colleges for 2025. The Princeton Review is one of the nation’s leading education services companies, and its rankings are based on survey results from more than 168,000 students nationwide. The survey evaluated schools on various factors, from financial aid and career services to sustainability and quality of life. 

Forbes' 2024-2025 Top Colleges list also places ɫ����Ƶ at No. 206 among the top 500 American colleges. Forbes also rated ɫ����Ƶ as the No. 31 college in the Midwest and No. 111 among all private colleges in the nation.

“Our rigorous programs are designed for driven students to push boundaries and inspire growth,” ɫ����Ƶ Provost Dr. James Zhang said. “I am very proud to see The Wall Street Journal, Princeton Review, and Forbes recognize ɫ����Ƶ as one of the top higher education institutions in the country. This recognition speaks to the University’s commitment to student success in the classroom, in the Co-op workplace, and in future careers.”

In the Princeton Review survey, ɫ����Ƶ students gave exceptionally high marks to the University’s Co-op program, saying the “awesome” experience is “unparalleled in preparing students.” One surveyed ɫ����Ƶ student emphasized the Co-op benefits, saying undergrads “get to make money during school while also getting experience and making industry connections.” ɫ����Ƶ students earn between $50,000 and $75,000, and sometimes significantly more, during their 2.5 years equivalent of Co-op experience.

Surveyed students also gave ɫ����Ƶ credit for its active fraternities and sororities. The University ranked seventh in the nation in The Princeton Review’s Lots of Greek Life category.

“ɫ����Ƶ is known for its unique 11-week terms that require students to focus on the work at hand. But that doesn't mean students must sacrifice the Greek Life experience of a traditional university,” said Myra Lumpkin, ɫ����Ƶ's Director of Student Life Programs. “Roughly 40% of the ɫ����Ƶ student body participates in fraternities and sororities. These organizations allow our students to demonstrate their leadership skills while giving back to the Flint and campus communities. Through Greek Life, our students learn to collaborate toward common goals and build relationships with one another that will last a lifetime."

ɫ����Ƶ is no stranger to top rankings, appearing on numerous Best Colleges lists. These include The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges and Best Midwest lists and U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges. 

“The colleges we profile in our book are truly a select group: They constitute about 15% of America’s four-year institutions. We chose them primarily based on our high opinion of their academic offerings,” said Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review and author of The Best 390 Colleges. “The colleges that make our book’s ranking lists do so entirely as a result of the opinions of their customers — students attending the colleges — who complete our 89-question survey about their school.”