Niagara University’s outstanding academic experience is the most affordable in New York state, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of “America’s Best Colleges.” Among regional universities in the north, Niagara was ranked number one in the state, and number two overall, as a “Best Value.” Niagara also ranked at number 21 in the “Best Regional Universities (North),” up 49 spots since its ranking of 70 in the 2013 edition.
The “Best Value” calculation takes into account a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The availability of need-based grant and scholarship support—financial aid that students do not need to pay back—was a major consideration in the analysis, because this type of aid is most beneficial to students.
“Niagara’s commitment to making the power of a Niagara University education both accessible and affordable has never been greater,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “To be named the university that offers the best value in New York state by U.S. News and World Report affirms the work we have been doing in expanding our scholarships to address the financial needs of all students while building a robust approach for their academic success.”
Niagara offers unique scholarship opportunities for students, including the Eagle Experience Scholarship for freshman or transfer students who attend an admissions event, connect with an admissions counselor, and complete an application; the Vincentian Scholars Program, an elite four-year scholarship program that forms leaders in the Vincentian tradition academically, practically, and spiritually; and the Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom Retention Scholarship to assist BIPOC (Black or Indigenous Persons of Color) students in their academic pursuits, among others.
In addition to being named a “Best Value,” Niagara moved up two spots in “Social Mobility,” which recognizes the graduation rates of Pell students vs. non-Pell students. Niagara ranked as the university with the fourth highest Pell graduation rate in the “Regional Universities—North” listing, which is testament to its Vincentian commitment of academic access and excellence for Pell students.
Niagara also appears on the listing for “Most International Students” and is noted as an “A+ School for B Students,” which includes schools that admit a good proportion of “non-A” students (based on SAT/ACT scores and class standing) and allow them to thrive. In addition, Niagara’s six-year graduation rate increased four points to 77 percent, overperforming the U.S. News’ predicted rate by 16 points.