Rutgers-Camden Recognized By US News, Washington Monthly

CAMDEN, NJ — Rutgers University-Camden has been recognized in two sets of rankings for providing value and opportunities to its students.

Rutgers-Camden was ranked No. 153 in U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 edition of Best U.S. Colleges. It was among 27 colleges in New Jersey that were included in this year’s list. Read more here: 27 NJ Schools Ranked Among 2021’s Best Colleges: US News

It was ranked 26th for Social Mobility, 71st among Top Public Universities, 108th Best College for Veterans and 140th for Value. It is the second straight year Rutgers-Camden has been ranked among national universities, a status shift that occurred when Rutgers–Camden’s Carnegie classification was upgraded to R-2 in 2018 based on the university’s impressive growth in research and doctoral education.

Washington Monthly magazine has ranked Rutgers–Camden as a “Best Bang for the Buck” university, which recognizes those institutions that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

In Washington Monthly’s 2020 ranking for national universities, which emphasizes such factors as social mobility, research, and promoting public service, Rutgers–Camden is ranked 26 in terms of providing social mobility opportunities for its students.

“Rutgers–Camden is a place of access and affordability,” Rutgers University–Camden Interim Chancellor Margaret Marsh said. “We provide students with a world-class Rutgers education at an affordable price. Our faculty mentor our students in internships, research, and civic engagement projects, and our students enjoy personalized support as they work to achieve their goals. We are pleased that organizations recognize that Rutgers–Camden is a great value. Being recognized by U.S. News and World Report and Washington Monthly is another affirmation that Rutgers–Camden is making a difference for our students and all of South Jersey.”

Despite how the pandemic has forced current and potential students to alter college plans, US News said in a news release that it must "continue providing students and their families with the tools they need to help find the right school for them."

To rank colleges, US News first placed each school into a category based on its mission and, in some cases, its geographical location in the United States. US News then evaluated more than 1,400 colleges and universities on 17 indicators of academic quality. The colleges are ranked based on their overall scores.

The data used for this year's rankings was gathered in the spring and early summer; however, the publication noted that the pandemic did not affect the numbers.

This year's edition also includes several methodology updates. The new measures look at timely topics such as student debt, social mobility and test-blind admissions policies. US News also added new weights and indicators to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and added a new ranking for computer science programs.

See more detailed methodologies and frequently asked questions about the rankings. See all of 2021's Best U.S. Colleges by U.S. News and World Report.

With reporting by Carl Stoffers, Patch Staff