John Brown University
09/05/2024 | Press release | Archived content
The Wall Street Journal Names JBU Top Private College in Arkansas
The Wall Street Journal Names JBU Top Private College in Arkansas
SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas (Sept. 5, 2024) - For the fifth year, John Brown University was named to The Wall Street Journal's Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings, claiming the highest score of private schools in Arkansas and ranked No. 2 overall in the state.
JBU ranked No. 358 on the journal's 2025 America's Best Colleges in the U.S. list, securing a spot in the top 10% of U.S. colleges and universities.
The list ranks the top 500 undergraduate institutions by the value they provide to students based on the learning environment, years to pay off the net price, degree completion rates, the likelihood of higher salaries post-graduation and diversity.
JBU was also ranked No. 1 in Arkansas in the Social Mobility category which lists colleges in order of how much they enhance their students' social mobility. The ranking reflects universities that take in the highest proportion of students coming from lower-income families, while maintaining high graduation rates and having a positive impact on graduate salaries and minimizing the costs of attending college.
"We are grateful that The Wall Street Journal has recognized JBU as one of the top schools in our nation," said John Brown University President Chip Pollard. "This ranking reflects the quality and dedication of JBU's faculty and staff as well as the talent and commitment of JBU students. However, we see the true measure of JBU's mission in the changed lives of JBU graduates who leave the institution better prepared to honor God and serve others."
The overall rankings were based on three factors: student outcomes (70% of the score), the learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%). To analyze the learning environment, College Pulse surveyed students and recent alumni to ask about the quality of learning opportunities, career preparation, satisfaction with facilities and overall recommendation score. The diversity score combined metrics on racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and disability status of students and faculty along with student experiences garnered from the survey.
Four other Arkansas schools were listed: the University of Arkansas (No. 233), Harding University (No. 368), Arkansas State University (No. 486) and Arkansas Tech University (No. 491).
JBU was ranked highest of the schools in Arkansas in 2020, 2022 and 2024 and ranked second in 2021. The Wall Street Journal did not create a Best Colleges list in 2023.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas' top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers over 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, business, computer science, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.