U.S. News & World Report has ranked Neumann’s online bachelor’s degree among the best in the country for the seventh consecutive year.
In rankings released on January 27, the magazine named Neumann’s program #5 in Pennsylvania and #105 nationwide.
The strength of the program is its BS in Public Safety Administration, which has provided 396 first responders with academic credentials since its first graduates earned degrees in 2016.
The PSA program offers courses in an accelerated format (7.5-week classes) and provides adult students -- many of whom have shift-work schedules and family responsibilities – with flexibility in completing the degree.
Dr. Jilian Donnelly, executive director of the university’s Adult and Continuing Education unit, credits the personal attention that a small college can provide for Neumann’s success with first responders.
“Our academic advisors will review a student’s work history, work-related training, military experience, and previous college work, all in an effort to transfer in as much credit as possible,” she explains.
The four categories used by U.S. News to assess online degree programs are Student Engagement (35%), Services and Technologies (25%), Faculty Credentials and Training (20%), and Peer Assessment (20%).
According to the magazine, “U.S. News chose factors that weigh how these programs are being delivered and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time.”
Neumann University is also a Yellow Ribbon school and helps eligible veterans fund their post-secondary education. Veterans and other adult students can transfer as many as 90 credits to the online degree programs.