November 22, 2020 (Jackson, Miss.) - U.S. News & World Reporthas named Belhaven University a Top Performer on Social Mobility 2021. The accolade recognizes the University's work in advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating disadvantaged students.
Vice President for Enrollment and MarketingDr. Kevin Russell said, “We are gratified that U.S. News & World Report has recognized us for what we do so well…helping our students advance their careers through education. We know that every student that completes their degree changes the trajectory of their family's socio-economic footprint for generations to come. A quality education is the key!”
Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. But some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants. U.S. News has recognized Belhaven as one of the universities that has performed best on U.S. News' social mobility ranking factors.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by U.S. News for social mobility,” said Belhaven University Provost Dr. Bradford Smith. “We're proud of the faculty assembled here at Belhaven who care about each student and are focused on making the classroom experience stimulating and life-changing. At Belhaven, students from anywhere-small town, big city, or anywhere in between-can discover their life dreams and graduate prepared to pursue them.”
For 12 years Belhaven University, has been named in America's 100 Best College Buys, keeping college education affordable for all. Approximately 90 percent of the students attending Belhaven receive some form of financial assistance, including federal and state grants, loans and work-study, as well as a variety of institutional scholarships and grants.
According to Russell, Belhaven offers a high quality, affordable education that begins with costs well below the national average for four-year private colleges. The University's financial aid programs are generated from the basic premise that college costs are primarily a family responsibility, but their merit-based and need-based assistance in partnership with the family can assist with expenses.