by Katy Swordfisk
November 19th 2021
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Portland State University has been recognized once again for its commitment to social mobility. A new ranking from CollegeNET, Inc. places PSU in the top 10% nationwide for social mobility and No. 1 in Oregon at 114th out of 1,549 institutions.
The 2021 Social Mobility Index evaluates four-year colleges and universities based on how effectively they enroll students with low-income backgrounds and graduate them with jobs. The 2021 SMI also acknowledges disproportionate impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income students who may have been forced to abandon, delay or change their collegiate pursuits.
“Unlike other college rankings that celebrate wealth and its proxies, the SMI helps families and policymakers determine which colleges are addressing the national problem of economic mobility,” said CollegeNET President Jim Wolfston.
CollegeNET, which provides web-based technologies for higher education, states that the Social Mobility Index also functions to motivate administrators to compete on these factors and work toward reversing the destabilizing trend and growing economic mobility for students.
“This recognition is proof that our focus on serving students and having a transformative effect on their lives is working. Building economic opportunity and preparing students for meaningful futures speaks to the core of who we are,” said PSU President Stephen Percy. “That focus has never been more important than it is now as students seek higher education in the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re incredibly proud of this work, but also know we can — and will — do more.”
Portland State received Oregon’s best ranking for social mobility followed by Western Oregon University at 403rd. Oregon State University ranked 631st and University of Oregon ranked 689th.
PSU has also ranked No. 1 in Oregon for social mobility by U.S. News World & Report for the last three years.