Piedmont moves up a notch for social mobility

Piedmont University performs well in the annual US News & World Report rankings. The popular college guide ranked Piedmont No. 53 among “Regional Universities” in the large 12-state South Region, compared to 50 last year and 63 in 2018.

In the “Social Mobility” ranking that is designed to measure an institution’s success in helping economically disadvantaged students advance in their career and life, the publication ranked Piedmont No. 18 in the South Region compared to 19 in 2020.

The US News rankings examine a variety of factors, including tuition, class size, and selectivity. The magazine also groups colleges by the types of degrees offered. Regional Universities, including Piedmont, offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including doctoral degrees.

Piedmont was also the second-highest ranked Georgia institution in the South Regional “Best Value” category. The magazine selects Best Value institutions based on their overall academic quality and the net cost of attending.

Each year, Piedmont awards scholarships to virtually all incoming freshmen. This year, nearly 1,900 students received academic scholarships and grants valued at approximately $12.5 million. 

“While rankings are subjective, the US News report affirms what we know. Piedmont is an emerging regional university,” said Piedmont President James F. Mellichamp. “The rankings on value and social movement affirm our values. We continue to add programs that match the interests and demands of students and parents while maintaining class size and keeping college costs affordable.”

In recognition of the institution’s growing profile, the college transitioned to “Piedmont University” in April 2021. Founded in 1897, Piedmont continues to grow physically as well. It has purchased 90 acres in Demorest for expansion and has relocated its Athens campus into a newly constructed facility.