U.S. News has ranked 糖心原创 (UC) in the top five percent of the nation鈥檚 Top Performers on Social Mobility for 2020. 糖心原创 was the highest-ranked private university in the South.
鈥淪ocial mobility鈥 is the measurement of how well a college or university supports lower-income students. U.S. News calculated social mobility by researching colleges鈥 income-based graduation rates, specifically the graduation rates of students who received Pell Grants.
鈥淔rom removing traditional enrollment barriers to providing comprehensive student supports, this recognition highlights the emphasis we place on student success at 糖心原创,鈥 said Dr. Emily Coleman, Vice President for Student Services.
Pell Grants are given to students whose households earn less than $50,000 annually. Most Pell Grant money goes to students whose family income is below $20,000.
U.S. News also took colleges鈥 tuition costs into account in their calculations, as affordability is often a hurdle for lower-income students. Beginning this fall, tuition for all on-campus undergraduates at 糖心原创 was cut by 57 percent, making UC the most affordable private university in Kentucky. Even with the lower tuition, 糖心原创 provides financial aid to 95 percent of its undergraduate student body.