By Sophia Harris Editor-in-Chief Framingham State University has risen in the ranks as a top Regional University in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its “Best Colleges” category. FSU advanced six spots to 74th in the ranking of all public and private regional universities in New England, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Framingham State also qualified as a Top Regional Public University in the North Region, coming in at number 28. This has not changed from the previous year. In addition, Framingham State was recognized as a "Best College for Veterans” (33rd in the North Region) and a "Top Performer for Social Mobility” (76th in the North Region). U.S. News & World Report uses 17 weighted categories of ranking to determine an institution’s score. These factors include graduation and retention rates, Pell graduation rates, faculty salaries, student-faculty ratio, and college graduates who are earning more than high school graduates. In order to participate in the U.S. News & World Report ranking, universities must submit data from a range of sources. Ann Caso, associate director of institutional effectiveness, and Iris Godes, vice president of enrollment management, oversaw data collection for the survey and collaborated with departments across campus in order to collect the information needed for the survey. Every year, presidents, provosts, and deans of admissions rate the academic quality of peer institutions on a 5-point scale. The categories are outstanding (5), strong (4), good (3), adequate (2), or marginal (1). U.S. News and World Report takes a two-year weighted average of these ratings. Those who don't know enough about a school to evaluate it fairly are asked to mark "don't know," according to U.S News and World Report’s website.
U.S. News and World Report collected the most recent data by administering peer assessment surveys to schools in the spring and summer of 2024.
Every spring, FSU must complete a comprehensive survey that contains over 250 questions.
Publicly available data from the Department of Education through the College Scorecard and IPEDS is also used for the ranking.
According to a press release from Framingham State, U.S. News & World Report is the largest college search site in the U.S. and is widely considered the most trusted college-ranking publication in the country.
President Nancy Niemi said Framingham State has continued to improve across the board, although the U.S. News & World Report ranking is not an accurate depiction of how Framingham State performs compared to other schools.
U.S. News & World Report is used by many families across the United States to help determine their college choice, said Niemi, but the ranking itself has a lack of “methodology.”
Niemi said despite the flaws of the ranking system, “We are going to share these results with our wider community. I also think it’s appropriate to take a moment to celebrate these rankings while recognizing there is much more work to be done.”
She added, “I think our positive results in U.S. News & World Report can be included among many data points that demonstrate what a tremendous value Framingham State offers to students and families.”
During her time as president, Niemi has been repeatedly impressed by “the passion, expertise, and commitment to student success of our faculty and staff,” she said.
Niemi added that everyone at Framingham State - from the staff to the administration - “cares deeply” about the University and its students.
She said that dedication is reflected “not only in these rankings, but everywhere around us - in the beauty of our campus thanks to our facilities staff, in the individual mentorship our faculty provide to their students, and in the efforts that have gone into turning around enrollment.”
Niemi said she is proud of FSU and added the university “continues to be, I believe, one of the best values in higher education, dedicated to serving the public and our regional economy.”
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Kristen Porter-Utley echoed Niemi’s concerns about the ranking’s methodology and addressed the commitment faculty and staff have to the students of the University.
Porter-Utley said it was rewarding to see Framingham State receive recognition for the “tremendous value and outstanding education we offer to students and families.”
She added this is especially important during a time when many universities across the country are struggling. “It feels like FSU has so much energy and momentum right now.”
She reiterated Niemi’s sentiment that the University is “lucky to have a dedicated group of faculty and staff who care deeply about student success.”
She added, “While I wouldn’t put too much stock in any single ranking, I do think it speaks to the quality of our academic programs, support services, and our overall sense of community.”
Sophomore Cali Leger said she believes Framingham State is deserving of the ranking. “I think it's a very good teaching school. I came here for that reason. I think all the professors here in my opinion, in my major, are very good - pretty helpful.”
She added, “It makes sense at least for my major and from what I've seen.”
Sophomore Lexie Carlucci said she is not surprised because Framingham State is a “great” school.
“All of the professors here are great and they genuinely care about your success and your classes,” she said.
Senior Austian Shia said his experience at FSU has been “pretty good,” and he has enjoyed his undergraduate experience.
Sophomore Gertrude Opoku said although Framingham State has a lot of critics, she chose the University “because it's not too small for a campus, but it's not too big, either, which allows for more intimate classroom” discussions.
She added she believes Framingham State is a great school.
Sophomore Vory Boatema said FSU is always improving and the University definitely earned its improvement in the ranking.