Lake Superior State University Ranks Top Public Midwest Regional College and Moves Up Several Notches in Numerous Other Ratings Categories

Sep 13, 2022

Lake Superior State University made numerous strides in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022-23 “Best Colleges” rankings. LSSU tied for first as the top public school among regional colleges in the Midwest and rose considerable notches in four other ratings categories from last year, further cementing the institution’s longstanding reputation as a regional powerhouse.

LSSU jumped from third in each of the past three years to tied for first as the top public school in regional colleges in the Midwest from 14 ranked. Lake State ascended from tied for 45^th best regional college in the Midwest last year to tied for 28^th this year from 76 ranked. LSSU came in at 46^th best regional college in the Midwest in 2021 and 45^th in 2020. For top performers on social mobility in regional colleges in the Midwest, Lake State catapulted from 33^rd last year to 24^th this year from 76 ranked; this continues an upward trend in social mobility for LSSU as it assessed 46^th in 2020.

In nationwide categories, LSSU tied for 177^th best undergraduate engineering program at schools not offering doctorates from 230 ranked, up eight slots from 185^th last year. Lake State engineering tied for 157^th in 2021 and tied for 161^st in 2020. And LSSU skyrocketed from tied for 536^th best bachelor of science in nursing in the U.S. last year to tied for 477^th this year from 681 ranked.

LSSU also appraised 32^nd in affordability in best value schools in regional colleges in the Midwest from 32 ranked.

“We take a great deal of satisfaction not merely in consistently making the grade in these evaluations year after year but also in climbing the ladder so impressively this year,” said LSSU President Dr. Rodney S. Hanley.  “The higher rankings validate the ongoing steps we take to equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to craft a life of meaningful employment while enhancing the quality of life of the Great Lakes region and beyond and to offer innovative, transformative education that identifies potential, enables success, and drives social mobility.”

U.S. News & World Report analyzed 1,500 U.S. bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on 17 measures of academic quality for the 2022-23 best colleges rankings. Criteria included graduation and retention rates, academic reputation, peer assessment, average federal loan debt of graduates, social mobility, faculty resources, class size, and financial resources per student, among others. Engineering and nursing ratings were determined through surveys of deans and senior faculty in the respective programs. The rankings are now in their 38^th year.