CANTON -- The Princeton Review named St. Lawrence to its list of "Best Value Colleges" for 2024, noting its high return on investment for students and recent grads. The University also ascended in several rankings categories, coming in at No. 2 on "Top 20 Best Private School Alumni Networks," No. 4 on "Top 20 Best Private Schools for Internships," and No. 9 on "Best Schools for Making an Impact."

Though St. Lawrence has consistently been ranked highly on these lists, this year's rankings mark an exciting improvement. The University jumped two spots in "Alumni Networks," five spots in "Internships," and 10 spots in "Impact" since 2023.

"We have our exceptionally hardworking and generous alumni to thank for this recognition," says Vice President of University Communications & Institutional Strategy Paul Redfern. "They go above and beyond to mentor and open doors for our students and recent graduates, whether they're helping them secure their first internship, polish their job-interviewing skills, or grow their professional network in a new city. Their strong partnership with our Center for Career Excellence is one of the special ingredients that makes St. Lawrence University's return on investment so high."

This year, St. Lawrence is one of just 209 institutions nationwide that made The Princeton Review's list of "Best Value Colleges." Over 650 colleges and universities were surveyed.

The publication's ratings are based on more than 40 criteria that encompass academics, affordability, and career preparation.

The University also appears in the following rankings from The Princeton Review, which are based on student feedback and reflections:

No. 7, "Most Active Student Government"

No. 6, "Best Science Lab Facilities"

No. 16, "Best-Run Colleges"

No. 4, "Most Accessible Professors"

No. 24, "Friendliest Students"

Investing in Innovation and Outcomes

Over the past several years, St. Lawrence has made significant investments in academic and co-curricular offerings with students' post-graduate outcomes in mind. The University added six new cutting-edge majors, including data science, finance, pre-health chemistry, biomedical sciences, digital media and film, and public health. The University has also added tools and spaces for hands-on learning, such as the Bloomberg Finance Lab, podcasting studio, and the fully-connected technology-enabled classroom for courses in math, data science, computer science, and more.

In late 2023, St. Lawrence announced the launch of its Center for the Environment (CFE), which expands on decades of research, teaching, and experiential opportunities for students, and spans the globe-from our beautiful 1,000-acre green campus in the heart of the North Country to our living/learning compound in Nairobi, Kenya. Through the CFE, students can pursue Green Innovation Grants for environmental research on campus, as well as Green Internships. The University has appointed Diane White Husic, Ph.D. as the first-ever Richard '64 and Gail Stradling Executive Director of the Center for the Environment. This position is endowed by a generous $1.5 million gift from Richard "Dick" '64 and Gail Stradling.

The University's Center for Career Excellence (CFCE) remains a vital resource for career connections and preparations. The CFCE fosters connections with alumni to facilitate one-on-one mentoring and networking trips to places like New York City and Washington, D.C. Additionally, the CFCE offers career-focused courses and funding for research and internships.

Other Rankings and Recognition

In 2023, St. Lawrence made Money Magazine's list of "Best Colleges in America," earning a 4.5 rating out of 5 total stars. The publication noted that "St. Lawrence is small but mighty," highlighting its graduation rate, innovative new majors, and proximity to outdoor adventures.

U.S. and World Report ranked St. Lawrence 59 among over 200 liberal arts colleges in its 2024 edition of "Best Colleges." The University's ranking places it in the top 30 percent of its peer group. U.S. News also included St. Lawrence on its list of "best value" schools, which weighs a college's academic quality alongside the net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.

St. Lawrence is also ranked among The Princeton Review's Best Northeastern Colleges and is named as one of 50 schools in its Colleges That Create Futures list.