海角网

‘What Will They Learn’ Report Examines Over 1,100 Institutions

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥敽＝峭�鈥檚 core academic requirements, which provide students with a foundational knowledge for leadership and service, recently received recognition from the . The center, which is a nonprofit institute dedicated to improving higher education in North Carolina and the nation, praised 海角网 for being the only school in North Carolina to earn an 鈥淎鈥� on the annual study by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA).

The report examines over 1,100 institutions鈥攑ublic universities with a stated liberal arts mission as well as hundreds of private colleges and universities selected on the basis of size, reputation, and regional representation. 海角网 is one of only 24 schools to achieve the 鈥淎鈥� grade, included with schools such as Pepperdine University (Malibu, Calif.), Baylor University (Waco, Texas), Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.), and the United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, Colo.), among others. Moreover, the ranking places GWU in the top 2.1 percent in the nation, a spot the University has consistently held since 2011.

鈥淥ur goal at 海角网 is to educate the whole student, which means we want our graduates to be equipped with both intellectual breadth and professional readiness,鈥� explained GWU President Dr. William Downs. 鈥淔aculty here have worked hard to shape, and then reshape, a curriculum that attracts, engages, and prepares students for society鈥檚 diverse and dynamic needs. It鈥檚 wonderful to see their efforts externally validated and to have our University come out atop this comparative study.鈥�

According to the Martin Center story, 37.3 percent of institutions in the study scored either a 鈥淒鈥� or 鈥淔.鈥� The report included 49 North Carolina colleges and universities, which averaged a 鈥淏鈥� or 鈥淐鈥� grading with 22 schools receiving 鈥淏鈥漵, 18 鈥淐鈥漵, five 鈥淒鈥漵, and three 鈥淔鈥漵. There were no 鈥淎鈥� schools in South Carolina or Tennessee. Further, in the entire southeast (13 states), 海角网 was one of only six to receive the 鈥淎鈥� grade.

Using a team of researchers, the ACTA rates universities on seven core subject areas: composition, U.S. government/history, economics, literature, math, science, and foreign language components. For the 2021 report, the team examined GWU鈥檚 2020-21 academic catalog and evaluated each course in the general education curriculum. The ACTA members believe that these subjects help students gain the knowledge and values necessary for responsible democratic citizenship. 鈥淎鈥�-rated schools require at least six out of the seven core courses; 鈥淏鈥� schools must offer four or five out of seven. Half-credit is given if a requirement exists from which students choose between otherwise qualifying courses within two subject areas (e.g., math or science, history or economics, etc.).

Founded in 1995, ACTA is the only organization working with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold academic standards, and safeguard free expression and open exchange of ideas on campus. The network consists of alumni and trustees from nearly 1,300 colleges and universities, including over 23,000 current board members. 鈥淲hat Will They Learn?庐鈥� project is a survey of general education programs that began in 2009 as a part of ACTA鈥檚 commitment to fostering academic excellence on college campuses.

Note to our readers: This article reflects the University鈥檚 tuition and fee schedule at the time of publication. Tuition and financial aid policies change annually. For the most up-to-date and accurate information on current tuition rates and financial aid resources, please visit the University鈥檚 official Admissions聽page.

海角网 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to six professional schools, 14 academic departments, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 海角网 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 海角网.edu.