'Berg climbs on U.S. News 'Best Value' list

Heidelberg University has climbed higher in U.S. News & World Report’s annual survey of “Best Value” colleges and universities in the Midwest region. In the rankings released Monday, Heidelberg is listed at No. 5 – up from No. 8 a year ago – on the “Best Value” list.

According to the magazine, placement on the “Best Value” list confirms that Heidelberg provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. The list considers the percentage of need-based financial aid and the average cost after financial aid is awarded.

“Heidelberg has invested in the opportunity for our students to gain advantages in beginning their career while also keeping costs low,” said Dr. Tony Bourne, vice president for Enrollment Management and Marketing. “This commitment has paid off in students landing top jobs with good wages while not having a ton of school debt. Heidelberg’s climb to one of the top five regional colleges for best value is the result of this investment and our students’ hard work.”

Heidelberg has worked to continually improve in these areas by prioritizing academic programs that lead to the best employment opportunities. The university takes a holistic approach to enrollment, offering a test-optional admission option for students who feel their ACT/SAT scores might not reflect their academic ability. Students also can take advantage of Heidelberg’s Fixed Tuition Guarantee and its Four-Year Graduation Guarantee. 

Additionally, Heidelberg has increased its academic scholarships with opportunities including a new Diversity and Inclusion scholarship, a four-year renewable scholarship aimed at assisting students in underrepresented populations. Scholarships, along with grants and other financial aid opportunities, help students bridge the gap between their family’s resources and the cost of attending college, Bourne explained.

In addition to the “Best Value” ranking, Heidelberg is listed as a “top performer” on U.S. News’s Social Mobility list, coming in at No. 21 in the Midwest Regional Colleges category. Social Mobility measures how well colleges and universities graduate students who receive federal Pell Grants. Social Mobility rankings are based on two factors: graduation rates of Pell-awarded students and graduation rate performance comparing the six-year graduation rate of Pell recipients with non-Pell recipients. 

U.S. News also gave Heidelberg high marks in the top tier among best regional colleges in the Midwest; HU is listed at No. 23.
This year’s U.S. News survey demonstrates that Heidelberg continues to rank among the best colleges in value and affordability as well as academic preparation. “We continue to focus on creating opportunities for hard-working students across the Midwest, regardless of the student’s background,” Tony said.

“We know these investments will pay off in improvements in graduation rates and student placement upon graduation,” he added.
Rankings such as those released by U.S. News help students and families make the important decision about where to invest in themselves and their college education.