For four straight years, Forbes reports that a Catawba College education is well worth its cost. And Forbes claims the proof can be seen in the grateful grads who show their gratitude in their alumni giving.
Catawba is one of only four institutions in North Carolina ranked among the top 100 institutions in Forbes Grateful Graduates Index for 2016. In addition to Catawba which is ranked 73, the other four N.C. institutions ranking in the top 100 of the 2016 Index include Davidson College (7), Duke University (9), and Wake Forest University (41). The 2016 Index ranks the best long-term value, or return-on-investment (ROI) of the top 200 private, not-for profit colleges enrolling more than 1,000 students.
"We are proud to be recognized alongside such outstanding institutions and we know this ranking reflects what we constantly hear from our alumni: that Catawba made a difference in their lives for which they are very grateful," said Catawba President Brien Lewis.
To determine which colleges provide the best return on investment, Forbes shares that it analyzes “two important variables : private donations and gifts per student over 10 years, as reported to the Department of Education and the alumni participation rate, or what percentage of its graduates give back in the form of donations to their colleges.”
The first measure Forbes calls “our show-me-the-money measure,” weighted at 75%. The second metric, the Alumni Participation Rate is measured by the Council for Aid to Education and is weighted at 25%. For the purposes of Forbes ranking, the alumni participation rate over the 3 most recent years is averaged.
The complete Forbes’ 2016 Grateful Grads Index is available at www.forbes.com/sites/schifrin/2016/07/06/2016-grateful-grad-colleges-the-top-200-show-me-the-money-schools/#15ae94773417.
