College of Mount Saint Vincent Named #1 for Social Mobility

Riverdale, N.Y. – The College of Mount Saint Vincent has been named #1 in Top Performers for Social Mobility among regional colleges in the north, according to a recent list published by U.S. News & World Report.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Mount has been selected as one of the top colleges in the nation for social mobility. In fact, Mount Saint Vincent has been highly ranked every year since U.S. News began a separate ranking for social mobility—and this year, we topped the charts.

The Mount was also ranked #9 overall among Regional Colleges North—another impressive feat in the 2024 Best Colleges Rankings and two positions higher than we were ranked last year.

“Being recognized as #1 for social mobility in our region speaks to the ways in which the College of Mount Saint Vincent transforms the lives of our learners,” said Mount President Susan R. Burns. “For nearly two centuries, we have been serving well those who are not served by others with access to an academically excellent education that has proven successful. This ranking not only demonstrates how the Mount successfully competes with public and private institutions of higher education in New York, but how we stand out in the region. Committed to providing support to all of our learners, but especially those who are Pell-receiving, the Mount is skilled at supporting our students from matriculation to graduation and beyond.”

The announcement from U.S. News also comes on the tailwinds of another piece of national recognition: just a week ago, Mount Saint Vincent was named to The New York Times’ list of the Top U.S. Colleges With the Greatest Economic Diversity.

The landscape of higher education has been undergoing a profound transformation in recent years, presenting challenges for colleges and universities across the map. News headlines have consistently flashed highlights of dwindling enrollments, program cuts, and even institutional closures. Declining birth rates have led to a smaller pool of traditional college-age students—a looming demographic cliff expected to peak in 2025.

However, the rise of alternative education models, including online learning and hybrid programs, has diversified the options available to prospective students. The Mount has always been a pioneer in this field, actively researching and implementing new strategies to appeal to both traditional and non-traditional learners. The college continues to thrive with a growing enrollment—it just welcomed its largest class for the third year in a row.

Social mobility is an essential factor in determining how well a college prepares its students to not just find a job, but launch a career—which is precisely what we do here at Mount Saint Vincent. Unfortunately, students who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds are, statistically, less likely to finish college. The Mount enrolls one of the highest percentages of undergraduate students in the country receiving Federal Pell Grants—over 50%—which has consistently made us one of the best engines for social mobility in the nation.

When compiling the Top Performers for Social Mobility, U.S. News aggregated two ranking factors assessing the graduation rates of Pell Grant-awarded students—Pell graduation rates (the six-year graduation rates of students awarded Pell Grants) and Pell graduation performance (comparing each school’s six-year graduation rate among Pell Grant recipients with its six-year graduation rate among non-Pell Grant recipients).

The fact that the Mount was ranked first in this category is a recognition that highlights the college’s commitment to providing a transformative education that is both affordable and attainable to all students—regardless of family means. However, the recognition also acknowledges the Mount’s efforts to retain and graduate a diverse body of students, ready to take on all the world has to offer as ethically and morally responsible citizens.

“The holistic network of advising we provide at the Mount demonstrates to our students that we are all partners in learning committed to their success,” added Lynne Bongiovanni, Provost and Dean of the College. “Dedicated career guidance, an endless amount of internship opportunities in the greater New York City area, and leadership and motivation activities help students realize what matters most: turning their passion into a profession. Our students are driven and eager—and they do not let their financial means stop them from learning. This all proves that our ranking for social mobility is both earned and well deserved.”

The Mount has a nearly two centuries-long history of meeting learners when, where, and how they need us, as Dr. Burns puts it. Following in the footsteps of the Sisters of Charity of New York, who founded Mount Saint Vincent over 175 years ago, the college is dedicated to providing equal access and opportunity for all—while remaining committed to the Vincentian/Setonian tradition, the liberal arts, and the development of the whole person.

In an ever-fluctuating world of higher education where people are even beginning to question the value of a bachelor’s degree, it is evident that the future of Mount Saint Vincent remains strong. Its growing prominence and reputation among colleges and universities not just in the New York City area, but across the country indicates our flourishing success.