Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
In Forbes’ latest ranking of America’s top colleges, Swarthmore slipped to 16 after being ranked seven in 2010. Instead, Haverford took the seventh spot—a move up from last year’s 14. Bryn Mawr came in at 54.
According to Forbes, “quality of teaching, great career prospects, graduation rates, and low levels of debt” are emphasized in generating the list.
“Unlike other lists, we pointedly ignore ephemeral measures such as school ‘reputation’ and ill-conceived metrics that reward wasteful spending,” writes Michael Noer for Forbes.
Only three of Forbes’ top 40 colleges offer a combined tuition, room, and board under $50,000, points out Main Line Media News.