APU Ranks Among Top 25 Universities in the Nation According to Alumni

Azusa Pacific University ranks in the top 25 universities nationwide based on alumni ratings, according to a new study published in the Journal of Consumer Affairs and featured by Forbes. APU is listed at No. 22 and joins elite universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. APU is 1 of only 2 Christian universities to make the list.

“Alumni ratings are among the best determinants of higher education quality, and APU’s inclusion on this list gives evidence that our extraordinary alumni continue to reflect positively on the contribution to their lives and careers from the academically rigorous, Christ-centered education they received long after they graduate,” said President Paul W. Ferguson, Ph.D., DABT.

The study entitled, “Assessing The Validity of Consumer Ratings for Higher Education,” analyzed data collected from the Strada-Gallup Education Consumer Survey. The data came from 146,345 college graduates from 2,989 colleges and universities, of which respondents from 496 institutions provided reliable alumni ratings. Dr. Jonathan Rothwell, the lead author and a Senior Economist at Gallup, created the index of alumni ratings based on answers to a series of questions asked of graduates, including how strongly they agreed to statements such as:

• You received a high-quality education
• You would recommend the educational path you took to other people
• You would not be where you are today without your degree
• You learned important skills during college courses that you use in your day-to-day life
• The coursework you took is directly relevant to what you do at work
• Your educational experiences make you an attractive candidate to employers
• Your education was worth the cost
• If you had to do it all over again, you would attend the same institution

“APU alumni are principled leaders and scholars who engage culture and make a difference in our world and we are honored by their endorsement,” said Provost Rukshan Fernando, Ph.D.

The APU Office of Alumni Engagement, now housed within the Division of University Advancement, is finalizing a five-year strategic plan that aligns with the University Strategic Plan, Renewal. Key elements include collaborative initiatives to advance alumni communication, campus collaboration, outreach and engagement, career networking, building infrastructure, and promotion of lifetime engagement.