West Virginia University’s Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources has been ranked 11th in the country for offering the best value for the money for undergraduate degree programs in engineering according to rankings released by College Factual, an online guide to the college selection process.
The Statler College’s industrial engineering program was ranked sixth for best value, while its computer engineering program was ranked 10th. Out of 281 engineering schools, WVU was also ranked in the top third overall in the site’s rankings of engineering schools that provide graduates with a quality education.
A number of programs at WVU ranked highly for best value, including agriculture (21), communications and journalism (8), computer science (13), natural resources and conservation (11), and visual and performing arts (20).
“These rankings confirm what we have always known: WVU provides a high-quality engineering degree, in an exciting learning environment at a reasonable cost,” said Gene Cilento, Glen H. Hiner Dean of the Statler College. “Our students are highly sought after and many graduate with high-paying jobs already in hand. That success is a testament to the efforts of our faculty and staff to work closely with each and every student to make sure they get the best educational experience possible.”
“As college costs continue to rise, families are being more selective on how and where they spend their hard-earned dollars,” said Statler College Enrollment Coordinator Ryan Sigler. “These rankings confirm that WVU has been successful in its efforts to keep educational costs affordable for both in- and out-of-state students.”
College Factual considers a number of outcomes-based factors to determine the ranking, including average student loan debt, student retention and graduation rates, and graduates’ starting salaries and earning potential.