Piedmont College advanced five spots in the annual US News & World Report college rankings, which were published September 10.
The popular college guide ranks Piedmont as the fifth best “Regional University” in Georgia. In the much larger 12-state South Region, Piedmont is ranked 63, compared to 68 last year.
The US News rankings examine a variety of factors, including tuition, class size, and selectivity. The magazine also groups colleges by the types of degrees offered. Regional Universities, including Piedmont, offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees.
Piedmont is also the second-highest ranked Georgia institution in the South Regional “Best Value” category. The magazine selects Best Value institutions based on their overall academic quality and the net cost of attending. Piedmont ranks #28.
Increased investment and enrollment
In recent years, Piedmont has made major investments in facilities and academic programs while maintaining small classes and keeping college costs affordable. Piedmont’s total enrollment is 2,491, up from 2,361 last year and 2,260 in 2016.
“While rankings are subjective, the US News reports affirm what we know. Increasingly, Piedmont is attracting regional and national attention for academic excellence,” says Piedmont President James F. Mellichamp. “We are a dynamic, growing institution that is adding innovative programs and has momentum.”
This year, Piedmont launched a Hospitality and Tourism Management program to cater to the fast-growing hospitality industry. The college also partnered with Mercer Law School to develop a program that gives students the opportunity to earn their bachelors of arts and juris doctor degrees in six years.
