The University of South Carolina Upstate is the best baccalaureate college in the Palmetto State, according to Washington Monthly magazine. USC Upstate was ranked No. 12 (out of 249) on the magazine’s 2018 list of the nation’s top undergraduate institutions, climbing from the 55th spot in 2017.
Additionally, the university was listed at No. 24 (out of 280) among colleges in the Best Bang for the Buck Southeast, a regional list that recognizes schools that “help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices,” according to Washington Monthly. USC Upstate rose from No. 65 in this category in the publication’s rankings from the prior year.
“USC Upstate is extremely proud to be recognized as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the country in contributing to the public good,” said Chancellor Brendan Kelly. “We take seriously our commitment to providing a rigorous, accessible, career-relevant education to all of our students and are pleased that Washington Monthly has honored our efforts to expand educational opportunity and to infuse an ethic of community service into the educational experience of our students.”
“It is also noteworthy that we were recognized as one of the top colleges in the Southeast for having the Best Bang for the Buck—a further indication of our commitment to providing an affordable and accessible education,” Kelly added. “These rankings underscore our role as a public regional comprehensive university to meet the needs of this area and beyond, and provide evidence for the transformational opportunities created for students by our talented faculty and dedicated staff.”
Washington Monthly said its college rankings are based on the institution’s contribution to the public good in three broad categories, including social mobility, research, and service. The rankings are based on U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data. More information about the magazine’s methodology can be found on the Washington Monthly website.
Founded in 1969, Washington Monthly is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit magazine known for its coverage of politics and government. The publication cites support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and other organizations.