What to Know
- Howard University is ranked the 89th best college in the country by U.S. News and World Report
- Howard is a historically black college in D.C.
- The good news comes months after a scandal that prompted students to stage a days-long sit-in
It's been less than a month since classes got underway at Howard University, but one report card is already showing a success.
The historically black college in Washington, D.C., was named the 89th best college in the country in the U.S. News and World Report rankings. Howard landed in the top 100 after jumping up by 21 spots.
The University was helped by a change in the formula used to rank schools. Now, the success of graduates who receive Pell Grants is factored into the rankings.
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick says the school has also made changes.
"Our focus on student outcomes is really, at the end of the day, the vindication seen in the report," Frederick said.
Frederick says the school also increased the minimum number of credits students must take each semester, which resulted in higher retention rates.
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The success Howard is enjoying comes despite a tumultuous end to last school year when auditors found employees misappropriated financial aid funds for over a decade. Six staffers were fired and students staged a days-long sit-in.
