Washington Monthly Ranks SUNY Potsdam in Top 7 Percent of American Public Master’s Universities in 2024 Rankings
Washington Monthly has ranked The State University of New York at Potsdam at No. 43 in the country in its national public master’s universities ratings, in the magazine’s 2024 College Guide, released today. Since the rankings were first created 19 years ago, SUNY Potsdam has continually climbed the list.
SUNY Potsdam was among the top 7 percent of national public master’s universities rated this year, coming out at No. 43 out of all 589 public institutions on the list, and No. 65 overall.
“Since 1816, SUNY Potsdam has been a cornerstone of accessible, affordable education, shaping leaders who make a positive impact wherever they go," said President Dr. Suzanne Smith. “This latest national recognition underscores our dedication to providing transformative experiences that empower students to succeed in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to their communities—and graduate with less debt while doing so.”
For its guide, Washington Monthly ranks colleges based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research, and promoting public service.
“We devised an alternative set of benchmarks for what “excellence” is in higher education, ones that measure what colleges do for their country, instead of for themselves. Rather than reward institutions for their wealth, fame, and exclusivity, we evaluate them on their commitment to three goals: social mobility, research, and public service. We give credit to colleges that welcome students from low- and middle-income backgrounds and get them through college and into good jobs with manageable debt,” editors Paul Glastis and Rob Wolfe wrote in the introduction to this year’s rankings. “We use reliable data on research spending and Ph.D. attainment for graduates, rather than the imprecise reputational surveys that other rankings rely on. And we track how colleges encourage their students to be active citizens by voting; serving in the military, Peace Corps, and AmeriCorps, and majoring in socially valuable fields like teaching, healthcare and social work. As a result, our rankings highlight the parts of America’s higher education system that the Ivy-focused headlines of the past year, and so many before, have ignored.”
SUNY Potsdam also was recognized in Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck (Northeast) rankings, which lists campuses that help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. The College came in at No. 105 in that ranking, out of 376 institutions that made the cut. Among public institutions, SUNY Potsdam ranks at No. 46 in the Northeast for value.
The College rates highly thanks in large part to the social mobility return it provides for graduates, helping students from all socioeconomic backgrounds earn their degrees and go on to fulfilling and successful careers, with as little debt as possible. Additionally, Potsdam scores highly for the number of undergraduates who go on to earn a Ph.D. or doctorate. The College also earned high scores for the percentage of federal work-study funds spent on service, and for the percentage of graduates studying service-oriented majors like health, education and social service.
To view the full rankings and read more about the methodology, visit washingtonmonthly.com/2024-college-guide/masters.
About SUNY Potsdam:
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges—and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit www.potsdam.edu.