Real Impact: FIU earns two top national rankings alongside America's most prestigious institutions

Washington Monthly’s college guide places FIU No. 32 nationally in their annual survey, which looks at a college’s or university’s contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research and providing opportunities for public service. In releasing the rankings, Washington Monthly’s Kevin Carey writes, “America needs a different definition of higher education excellence…One that measures what colleges do for their country, instead of for themselves.”

The publication singled out FIU as one of the universities that have hit the sweet spot of academic excellence and student success without leaving anyone behind, despite being founded “in the second half of the 20th century, not the first half of the 17th.” Carey writes, “We rank FIU at number 32 because, in addition to solid contributions in service and research, it is very affordable and helps a large number of students eligible for Pell Grants start their lives and careers with a high-quality degree.”

Half of FIU’s student body is Pell Grant eligible, signifying students with the greatest economic need. At FIU, Pell Grant-eligible students graduate at a higher rate than non-Pell Grant students, placing the university among the top five public institutions in the country in social mobility.

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