Ramapo College Receives ‘High’ Grades on National Scorecard
The school has a high graduation rate and low cost, new report says
In a twist of fate this week, college students across the country weren’t getting graded, the colleges themselves were. The White House’s College Affordability and Transparency Center released its new College Scorecard.
Based on a new interactive Department of Education website, Ramapo College in Mahwah ranks “low” in terms of cost, and “high” in terms of graduation rate.
The website, created after President Barack Obama called for colleges to be held accountable for “cost, value and quality,” gives families and prospective students critical information to make decisions on college choices, according to the Department of Education.
Ramapo’s average net cost is $13,722 a year, the scorecard reported, which it ranked “low” as compared to other colleges across the country. Net price, according to the Scorecard, is what undergraduate students pay after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the institution’s cost of attendance.
The Scorecard also notes the average net price has decreased 1.8% from 2007 to 2009.
The school's graduation rate was “high” when compared nationally, with 70.5% of full-time students receiving bachelor’s degrees within six years and 7.2% transferring. According to the data, which is based mostly on statistics from 2011, there are 5,715 undergrads enrolled in the school
“We know students and families are often overwhelmed in the college search process–but feel they lack the tools to sort through the information and decide which school is right for them,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in a statement. “The College Scorecard provides a snapshot about an institution’s cost and value to help families make smart decisions about where to enroll.”
Ramapo College responded positively to its rank, and to the College Scorecard.
“We are happy to be judged by relevant criteria and appreciate any effort to make college admissions more transparent,” RCNJ Spokesperson Anna Farneski said.
To see the College Scorecard and other colleges ranked, go here.
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