“U.S. News & World Report” Ranks Whitworth No. 4 Best University in the West
Ranked No. 2 Best Value
Ranked No. 6 Best Colleges for Veterans
U.S. News & World Report, in its 2022 Best Colleges Rankings, has named Whitworth University the fourth best regional university in the West and the second best value, up from third position last year.
Whitworth’s No. 2 best value ranking among regional universities in the West is largely based on its academic quality ranking relative to the average discount price paid by full-time undergraduates after receiving need-based grants.
Whitworth was also ranked No. 6 in best colleges for veterans for its diverse programs and tremendous support of members of the military. The university also earned placement in the regional top 10 ranking for best undergraduate teaching.
“The U.S. News rankings affirm and recognize what Whitworth’s faculty and staff already feel called to do because of our mission – attract great students, provide them with a world-class education, and support them to graduate on time to lead successful careers and lives of purpose,” says Greg Orwig, vice president for admissions & student financial services. “What isn’t captured in the ranking methodology but is central to the Whitworth educational experience is an abiding commitment for students to know and be known by their professors – inside and outside of class. That commitment has only deepened as we’ve navigated through COVID-19.”
This fall, Whitworth enrolled nearly 650 first-year and transfer students. Thirty-seven percent of students in the Class of 2025 are first-generation college students, and 37 percent are from Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
Ninety-five percent of Whitworth’s recent graduates were employed or in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
Whitworth’s overall ranking is based on methodology involving multiple indicators like:
• retention and graduation rates
• undergraduate academic reputation
• faculty resources for the 2020-21 academic year
• financial resources per student
• average alumni giving rate
The rankings are available online at www.usnews.com/colleges and will be in the print edition of the Best Colleges 2022 guidebook.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of more than 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
| 2022 Rank | School |
|---|---|
| 1 | Trinity University (TX) |
| 2 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo |
| 3 | University of Portland (OR) |
| 4 | Whitworth University (WA) |
| 5 | St. Mary's College of California |
| 2022 Rank | School |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mills College (CA) |
| 2 | Whitworth University (WA) |
| 3 | Pacific Lutheran University (WA) |
| 4 | University of Redlands (CA) |
| 5 | St. Mary's University of San Antonio (TX) |
| 2022 Rank | School |
|---|---|
| 1 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo |
| 2 | California Lutheran University |
| 3 | St. Edward's University (TX) |
| 4 | St. Mary's University of San Antonio (TX) |
| 5 | Pacific Lutheran University (WA) |
| 6 | Whitworth University (WA) |
