EMU Today

YPSILANTI – The U.S. News and World Report ranked Eastern Michigan University among one of the best universities in the country in the social mobility category. The distinction is based on the opportunities colleges offer disadvantaged students with federal Pell Grants.  

Eastern was ranked 82 in the nation among 391 national universities. The U.S. News & World Report annual rankings are considered the gold standard of reference in recognizing various elements of college life.

According to U.S. News, these rankings originate from the fact that economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics.  

Additionally, the U.S. News and World Report gave Eastern a notable mention for its undergraduate nursing program. This is a first for the digital media company, which implemented the ranking this year. 

Since 1971, Eastern’s School of Nursing program has helped thousands of students obtain a bachelor or master’s of science in nursing or certification allowing students to be more marketable and respond to the national shortage of health care workers. 

These rankings align with EMU’s core values of excellence, respect, responsibility, integrity and, most notably, inclusiveness, which states: “We create an environment that supports, represents, embraces and engages members of diverse groups and identities.”

Eastern is known for several distinct features which fall under the University’s social mobility initiative. Among them include:

• Students who have left Eastern or are considering leaving due to financial constraints can complete 30 hours of volunteer service in a University community program throughout the semester. Successful completion will lead to a partial forgiveness of outstanding debt owed to the University.

• Students can participate in financial literacy programs to learn skills essential to financial security such as creating a budget, maintaining good credit, and investing.

• Pell Grant recipients can use their financial aid to opt in Comcast’s Internet Essentials, giving them free or discounted internet access.

• Formerly incarcerated individuals can join the Returning Citizen Fellows program to help navigate both the complexities of higher education as well as the challenges to reentry, post-incarceration. 

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 16,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.