CSU-Pueblo ranks high in survey for contributing to success

PUEBLO - Colorado State University-Pueblo was ranked second among all four year institutions in the state of Colorado in terms of the value-added benefits it provides its students, according to a Brookings Institute report evaluating two and four-year colleges' contribution to alumni economic outcomes.

The Brookings report, "Beyond College Rankings: A Value-Added Approach to Assessing Two and Four-year Schools," using government and private data sources, analyzes the value of colleges based on the economic success of its graduates by measuring income, occupations and loan repayment rates. According to the new analysis by the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program, these colleges and universities give students an economic boost in terms of long-term career success and earning power, compared to similar two- and four-year institutions. Brookings researchers crunched the numbers on thousands of schools that provide associate's and bachelor's degrees, comparing graduates' mid-career salaries and rates of student-loan repayment, as well as schools' financial aid and career-services offerings.

The report is the first to develop a measure of "value added" for two and four-year colleges, which captures the contributions that the colleges themselves make to their graduates' eventual economic success. Value-added is defined as the difference between a college's predicted and actual student economic outcomes.

CSU-Pueblo was second among all Colorado four-year schools in the earnings category, which is the percentage increase or decrease in mid-career salary above or below what is predicted based on student and school characteristics.

CSU-Pueblo President Lesley Di Mare lauded the survey, which she said levels the playing field when comparing colleges with different missions and admissions standards. Compared to popular college rankings, the value-added method focuses on how well colleges contribute to student economic success, rather than simply their ability to attract top students.

"It pleases me to see CSU-Pueblo receiving attention for what we have always known to be true- we contribute to the economic success of our graduates," Di Mare said.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.