DSU rises to No. 2 public HBCU in college rankings

 

Delaware State University rose one place to No. 2 in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings of the nation’s best public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Dover-based school also rose to No. 8 from No. 10 among all HBCUs.

The ranking reflects DSU’s journey of progress, said DSU President Tony Allen.

“We believe what we’re doing will enable real, quality access to higher education for all,” said Allen. “The indicators that we pay so much attention to were highlighted in the latest ranking, so that’s what makes us really proud.”

The annual magazine rankings said that the University of Delaware maintained its position at No. 38 among public universities. UD ranked 89th out of all universities and colleges.

Goldey-Beacom College entered the lists for the first time, ranking No. 55 on the list of top performers in social mobility, which is an institution’s ability to support and graduate students from low-resource communities at the same or a better rate than their general student population.

Goldey-Beacom also ranked between No. 133 and No. 175 in the northern region of schools. The list did not specify a place.

Wilmington University ranks around in between 331 and 440 of all schools. They are No. 439 among top performers in social mobility, and No. 247 in nursing.

“Goldey-Beacom is thrilled to be ranked by U.S. News & World Report for the first time,” said Colleen Perry Keith, president. “The college is singled out among colleges nationwide for providing students social mobility. Additionally, the college scored highly for having a significantly diverse student population and, most importantly, significantly lower student debt.”

College rankings indicators

Allen has said the indicators that the rankings look for include graduation and retention rates, faculty pay, class sizes and research funding.

There are 101 HBCUs in America, and 47 are public universities.

Allen said he would love for DSU to be NO. 1, but the rankings are only a byproduct of the commitment the school has made to the students and community of Delaware. 

“We don’t obsess over the rankings,” he said. “We obsess over our students.”

Delaware State has grown 40% during the last decade, acquired the withering Wesley College in Dover, and significantly increased online and graduate choices, much of that while maneuvering through a global pandemic.

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“I think about what we did during COVID with the Wesley acquisition and the expansion of the Inspire scholarship,” Allen said. “We are built on generations of foundational success, and I think the ranking just sheds a bright light on the entire 131-year history of what we mean to our students and the future of Delaware.”

The Inspire Scholarship is a four-year, full tuition scholarship that prospective Delaware students who meet grade point average and behavioral requirements can earn. 

This fall, Delaware State welcomed 1,700 incoming freshmen, the largest class ever. 

U.S. News & World Report has been publishing its best colleges list since 1983. 

Read the full U.S. News and World Report ranking list here.