Here is a link to the latest Forbes article with their assessment of financial strength of private colleges. It is behind a paywall, but I downloaded data and will try to upload here as well.
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/fa/10/1C44B8CF-A7EA-41FA-AA53-BEE1D79E9907/data-BCDk0.csv
Twenty-seven of those schools, including Yale University, Duke University, Texas Christian University and Johnson C Smith University, earned an A+, signaling they were in excellent financial health. About 55% of schools, or more than 480, earned a C or worse, compared to only 20% in fiscal 2021. One hundred and eighty-two schools earned a D, the lowest possible grade, up from 20 in fiscal 2021.
Would be nice to see the list of the 27 A+ rated schools.
Here is the spreadsheet downloaded from the Forbes Article. Sorry for the formatting.
College,State,GPA,Letter Grade
University of Pennsylvania,PA,4.5,A+
Brigham Young University,UT,4.5,A+
Claremont McKenna College,CA,4.434,A+
Brigham Young University-Hawaii,HI,4.392,A+
Cornell University,NY,4.346,A+
Yale University,CT,4.341,A+
Bryn Mawr College,PA,4.325,A+
Texas Christian University,TX,4.32,A+
Hillsdale College,MI,4.248,A+
Saint Mary’s College,IN,4.227,A+
Stanford University,CA,4.217,A+
Hollins University,VA,4.165,A+
Duke University,NC,4.15,A+
Johnson C Smith University,NC,4.145,A+
Pomona College,CA,4.108,A+
Williams College,MA,4.108,A+
Bowdoin College,ME,4.108,A+
Swarthmore College,PA,4.098,A+
Wellesley College,MA,4.098,A+
University of Notre Dame,IN,4.093,A+
Washington University in St Louis,MO,4.077,A+
Amherst College,MA,4.077,A+
Carnegie Mellon University,PA,4.067,A+
Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science,CA,4.057,A+
Hamilton College,NY,4.041,A+
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art,NY,4.026,A+
Columbia University in the City of New York,NY,4.005,A+
Northwestern University,IL,3.985,A
Harvard University,MA,3.979,A
Rice University,TX,3.969,A
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,MA,3.969,A
Catawba College,NC,3.959,A
Emory University,GA,3.954,A
Johns Hopkins University,MD,3.948,A
Trinity University,TX,3.923,A
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary,NY,3.923,A
McPherson College,KS,3.917,A
New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary,LA,3.907,A
Davidson College,NC,3.892,A
Wake Forest University,NC,3.881,A
Grinnell College,IA,3.855,A
Berry College,GA,3.83,A
Stephens College,MO,3.814,A
University of Chicago,IL,3.799,A
Dartmouth College,NH,3.794,A
Abilene Christian University,TX,3.778,A
Tulane University of Louisiana,LA,3.763,A
Villanova University,PA,3.757,A
The Juilliard School,NY,3.726,A
Oklahoma Baptist University,OK,3.721,A
Howard University,DC,3.695,A
Scripps College,CA,3.695,A
Brown University,RI,3.68,A
Berea College,KY,3.68,A
Princeton University,NJ,3.67,A-
Barnard College,NY,3.665,A-
Thomas Jefferson University,PA,3.654,A-
Southwestern University,TX,3.587,A-
Bard College,NY,3.572,A-
Brigham Young University-Idaho,ID,3.566,A-
Trinity College,CT,3.556,A-
Southern Methodist University,TX,3.515,A-
Moody Bible Institute,IL,3.515,A-
Vanderbilt University,TN,3.51,A-
Franciscan University of Steubenville,OH,3.51,A-
College of the Ozarks,MO,3.505,A-
Earlham College,IN,3.499,A-
Denison University,OH,3.499,A-
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,MO,3.484,A-
Alice Lloyd College,KY,3.463,A-
Colgate University,NY,3.443,A-
Middlebury College,VT,3.427,A-
Baylor University,TX,3.427,A-
Wheaton College,IL,3.427,A-
Tougaloo College,MS,3.422,A-
Smith College,MA,3.386,A-
Freed-Hardeman University,TN,3.386,A-
Centre College,KY,3.386,A-
Augustana University,SD,3.386,A-
Carleton College,MN,3.375,A-
Rabbinical Seminary of America,NY,3.375,A-
Northeastern University,MA,3.37,A-
Boston College,MA,3.355,B+
The University of the South,TN,3.355,B+
Washington and Lee University,VA,3.345,B+
Whitman College,WA,3.345,B+
Howard Payne University,TX,3.334,B+
Haverford College,PA,3.329,B+
Wesleyan University,CT,3.314,B+
Kenyon College,OH,3.308,B+
Harvey Mudd College,CA,3.303,B+
Bates College,ME,3.298,B+
California Institute of Technology,CA,3.293,B+
Occidental College,CA,3.288,B+
Colorado College,CO,3.277,B+
Babson College,MA,3.272,B+
Macalester College,MN,3.272,B+
Pitzer College,CA,3.267,B+
Goldey-Beacom College,DE,3.241,B+
Vassar College,NY,3.236,B+
Wabash College,IN,3.236,B+
University of Tulsa,OK,3.231,B+
Oral Roberts University,OK,3.226,B+
Tufts University,MA,3.221,B+
Colby College,ME,3.215,B+
University of Miami,FL,3.215,B+
College of the Holy Cross,MA,3.21,B+
Agnes Scott College,GA,3.21,B+
Case Western Reserve University,OH,3.2,B+
Everglades University,FL,3.19,B+
Bucknell University,PA,3.19,B+
Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim Lubavitz,NY,3.19,B+
Montreat College,NC,3.19,B+
Gallaudet University,DC,3.19,B+
Lehigh University,PA,3.169,B+
Jarvis Christian University,TX,3.164,B+
Gustavus Adolphus College,MN,3.154,B+
Gwynedd Mercy University,PA,3.143,B+
Samford University,AL,3.138,B+
Kentucky Christian University,KY,3.133,B+
Lewis & Clark College,OR,3.117,B+
Martin Luther College,MN,3.107,B+
McMurry University,TX,3.102,B+
Minneapolis College of Art and Design,MN,3.097,B+
Menlo College,CA,3.086,B+
California Institute of the Arts,CA,3.071,B+
Texas College,TX,3.071,B+
Hampton University,VA,3.061,B+
St Olaf College,MN,3.045,B+
Claflin University,SC,3.04,B+
Benedictine College,KS,3.04,B+
Talladega College,AL,3.04,B+
Brandeis University,MA,3.035,B
Fisk University,TN,3.03,B
University of Richmond,VA,3.025,B
Washington College,MD,3.025,B
Chapman University,CA,3.019,B
Mount Holyoke College,MA,3.014,B
Rhode Island School of Design,RI,2.999,B
The Master’s University and Seminary,CA,2.988,B
Boston University,MA,2.983,B
Morehouse College,GA,2.983,B
New York University,NY,2.983,B
Texas Wesleyan University,TX,2.973,B
Southern Wesleyan University,SC,2.957,B
Ner Israel Rabbinical College,MD,2.952,B
Skidmore College,NY,2.947,B
Dickinson College,PA,2.942,B
Flagler College,FL,2.942,B
Clark Atlanta University,GA,2.932,B
Furman University,SC,2.926,B
Reed College,OR,2.921,B
Santa Clara University,CA,2.916,B
The Catholic University of America,DC,2.916,B
Southwestern Adventist University,TX,2.901,B
Virginia University of Lynchburg,VA,2.895,B
Randolph College,VA,2.895,B
Georgetown University,DC,2.885,B
Westminster College,MO,2.844,B
Tuskegee University,AL,2.839,B
Yeshivath Viznitz,NY,2.828,B
AdventHealth University,FL,2.818,B
Taylor University,IN,2.818,B
Bethune-Cookman University,FL,2.818,B
Savannah College of Art and Design,GA,2.813,B
Johnson University,TN,2.782,B
Rochester Institute of Technology,NY,2.782,B
Sarah Lawrence College,NY,2.777,B
Illinois Wesleyan University,IL,2.772,B
Oberlin College,OH,2.761,B
Hardin-Simmons University,TX,2.761,B
University of the Cumberlands,KY,2.756,B
Grove City College,PA,2.751,B
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach,FL,2.741,B
University of Northwestern-St Paul,MN,2.73,B
Maharishi International University,IA,2.72,B
Ohio Northern University,OH,2.72,B
University of Dayton,OH,2.72,B
Lafayette College,PA,2.715,B-
Dillard University,LA,2.715,B-
Gettysburg College,PA,2.71,B-
University of Rochester,NY,2.71,B-
Mars Hill University,NC,2.71,B-
Hendrix College,AR,2.705,B-
Le Moyne-Owen College,TN,2.705,B-
Philander Smith College,AR,2.689,B-
Saint Johns University,MN,2.684,B-
Columbus College of Art and Design,OH,2.679,B-
Union College,NY,2.674,B-
Bethel University,MN,2.663,B-
Hallmark University,TX,2.653,B-
Ouachita Baptist University,AR,2.653,B-
George Washington University,DC,2.653,B-
Loyola Marymount University,CA,2.648,B-
Rabbinical Academy Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin,NY,2.643,B-
Elmhurst University,IL,2.637,B-
University of St Thomas,MN,2.632,B-
Mercy College of Health Sciences,IA,2.627,B-
Southern New Hampshire University,NH,2.627,B-
Williams Baptist University,AR,2.627,B-
Spelman College,GA,2.617,B-
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,NC,2.612,B-
Houston Baptist University,TX,2.606,B-
Ave Maria University,FL,2.606,B-
The New England Conservatory of Music,MA,2.601,B-
University of Southern California,CA,2.601,B-
Dordt University,IA,2.601,B-
Elon University,NC,2.596,B-
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus,PR,2.596,B-
Westminster College,PA,2.596,B-
Baker College,MI,2.591,B-
Herzing University-Kenosha,WI,2.591,B-
Universidad Central Del Caribe,PR,2.591,B-
Calvin University,MI,2.591,B-
John Brown University,AR,2.586,B-
Rust College,MS,2.586,B-
SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary,CA,2.575,B-
Rollins College,FL,2.57,B-
Bethany Lutheran College,MN,2.57,B-
Asbury University,KY,2.57,B-
Milligan University,TN,2.565,B-
Westmont College,CA,2.565,B-
Bethany College,WV,2.565,B-
Bushnell University,OR,2.56,B-
Franklin and Marshall College,PA,2.555,B-
DePauw University,IN,2.555,B-
Mount Carmel College of Nursing,OH,2.555,B-
Thomas Aquinas College,CA,2.555,B-
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,KY,2.55,B-
Saint Louis University,MO,2.55,B-
Connecticut College,CT,2.539,B-
Ashland University,OH,2.534,B-
Hampden-Sydney College,VA,2.529,B-
Walla Walla University,WA,2.529,B-
Wofford College,SC,2.529,B-
Albizu University-Miami,FL,2.514,B-
Allen College,IA,2.514,B-
Lawrence University,WI,2.508,B-
Luther College,IA,2.508,B-
Harding University,AR,2.503,B-
Goshen College,IN,2.498,B-
Otis College of Art and Design,CA,2.493,B-
University of Puget Sound,WA,2.488,B-
Beloit College,WI,2.483,B-
Belmont University,TN,2.477,B-
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor,TX,2.477,B-
Toccoa Falls College,GA,2.477,B-
Miles College,AL,2.477,B-
Clark University,MA,2.472,B-
Spring Arbor University,MI,2.472,B-
Pratt Institute-Main,NY,2.467,B-
University of New England,ME,2.462,B-
Herzing University-Minneapolis,MN,2.457,B-
University of San Diego,CA,2.457,B-
Syracuse University,NY,2.457,B-
Mary Baldwin University,VA,2.457,B-
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health,NE,2.452,B-
Oklahoma Christian University,OK,2.452,B-
Gonzaga University,WA,2.436,B-
University of Pikeville,KY,2.436,B-
American University,DC,2.431,B-
Lycoming College,PA,2.431,B-
Wheaton College (Massachusetts),MA,2.431,B-
High Point University,NC,2.431,B-
The College of Wooster,OH,2.421,B-
Pepperdine University,CA,2.421,B-
University of Denver,CO,2.421,B-
Kalamazoo College,MI,2.415,B-
Rhodes College,TN,2.415,B-
Alfred University,NY,2.415,B-
Kansas City Art Institute,MO,2.41,B-
Creighton University,NE,2.41,B-
Centenary College of Louisiana,LA,2.41,B-
Union College,NE,2.41,B-
Huston-Tillotson University,TX,2.41,B-
St Lawrence University,NY,2.405,B-
Cedarville University,OH,2.405,B-
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus,PR,2.405,B-
Transylvania University,KY,2.4,B-
Stonehill College,MA,2.4,B-
Young Harris College,GA,2.395,C+
Illinois College,IL,2.379,C+
MCPHS University,MA,2.374,C+
Berklee College of Music,MA,2.374,C+
Millsaps College,MS,2.374,C+
Heidelberg University,OH,2.374,C+
Muhlenberg College,PA,2.369,C+
College for Creative Studies,MI,2.369,C+
Allegheny College,PA,2.369,C+
Unity College,ME,2.364,C+
Hanover College,IN,2.359,C+
Warren Wilson College,NC,2.359,C+
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis,MO,2.354,C+
Oakwood University,AL,2.354,C+
Bentley University,MA,2.348,C+
Knox College,IL,2.338,C+
Cleveland University-Kansas City,KS,2.333,C+
Simpson University,CA,2.333,C+
Art Center College of Design,CA,2.328,C+
Goucher College,MD,2.328,C+
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Cupey Campus,PR,2.323,C+
The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,TX,2.323,C+
Virginia Union University,VA,2.317,C+
Randolph-Macon College,VA,2.312,C+
Wheeling University,WV,2.307,C+
Life Pacific University,CA,2.302,C+
Monmouth College,IL,2.297,C+
Schreiner University,TX,2.297,C+
Logan University,MO,2.286,C+
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico,PR,2.286,C+
Ripon College,WI,2.286,C+
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce,PR,2.286,C+
Herzing University-Madison,WI,2.286,C+
Lenoir-Rhyne University,NC,2.286,C+
University of Dubuque,IA,2.281,C+
University of the Pacific,CA,2.276,C+
California College of the Arts,CA,2.276,C+
Canisius College,NY,2.276,C+
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design,WI,2.271,C+
Mitchell College,CT,2.271,C+
Liberty University,VA,2.266,C+
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology,IN,2.266,C+
Sacred Heart University,CT,2.266,C+
Notre Dame of Maryland University,MD,2.266,C+
Southwestern Assemblies of God University,TX,2.255,C+
Xavier University of Louisiana,LA,2.255,C+
Austin College,TX,2.25,C+
Roanoke College,VA,2.25,C+
Wayland Baptist University,TX,2.25,C+
Millikin University,IL,2.23,C+
Ringling College of Art and Design,FL,2.214,C+
Mid-America Christian University,OK,2.214,C+
Southern Virginia University,VA,2.214,C+
Stillman College,AL,2.214,C+
Hope College,MI,2.209,C+
Loyola University Chicago,IL,2.209,C+
Palm Beach Atlantic University,FL,2.209,C+
Trevecca Nazarene University,TN,2.204,C+
Albizu University-San Juan,PR,2.204,C+
Vanguard University of Southern California,CA,2.204,C+
Graceland University-Lamoni,IA,2.204,C+
Heritage University,WA,2.204,C+
Point Loma Nazarene University,CA,2.188,C+
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,MO,2.188,C+
University of the Ozarks,AR,2.188,C+
St. John Fisher University,NY,2.183,C+
Geneva College,PA,2.183,C+
Northwestern College,IA,2.178,C+
Wisconsin Lutheran College,WI,2.178,C+
Assumption University,MA,2.173,C+
Oklahoma Wesleyan University,OK,2.173,C+
Charleston Southern University,SC,2.173,C+
Yeshiva University,NY,2.163,C+
Southern Adventist University,TN,2.163,C+
Saint Ambrose University,IA,2.157,C+
The University of Tampa,FL,2.157,C+
Bryant University,RI,2.157,C+
Worcester Polytechnic Institute,MA,2.157,C+
Hampshire College,MA,2.157,C+
Grace College and Theological Seminary,IN,2.157,C+
Saint Anselm College,NH,2.152,C+
Buena Vista University,IA,2.152,C+
East Texas Baptist University,TX,2.152,C+
Willamette University,OR,2.147,C+
St. Mary’s University,TX,2.147,C+
Concordia College at Moorhead,MN,2.147,C+
Minerva University,CA,2.147,C+
Whittier College,CA,2.142,C+
Le Moyne College,NY,2.142,C+
College of Saint Mary,NE,2.142,C+
Hobart William Smith Colleges,NY,2.137,C+
Marist College,NY,2.137,C+
Muskingum University,OH,2.137,C+
Saint Vincent College,PA,2.126,C+
St Catherine University,MN,2.126,C+
Thomas University,GA,2.126,C+
Marquette University,WI,2.126,C+
Parker University,TX,2.121,C+
Covenant College,GA,2.121,C+
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Chicago,IL,2.116,C+
Mount Saint Mary’s University,CA,2.116,C+
Trinity Washington University,DC,2.116,C+
Rochester University,MI,2.116,C+
The College of Idaho,ID,2.116,C+
Bethany College,KS,2.116,C+
Northwood University,MI,2.111,C+
La Roche University,PA,2.111,C+
University of Portland,OR,2.106,C+
University of Mount Union,OH,2.106,C+
Doane University,NE,2.106,C+
Simpson College,IA,2.106,C+
Duquesne University,PA,2.101,C+
Davis & Elkins College,WV,2.101,C+
Universidad del Sagrado Corazon,PR,2.101,C+
University of Charleston,WV,2.101,C+
Hofstra University,NY,2.095,C+
Methodist University,NC,2.09,C+
Universidad Adventista de las Antillas,PR,2.09,C+
Eastern Nazarene College,MA,2.09,C+
John Carroll University,OH,2.085,C+
Concordia University-Wisconsin,WI,2.085,C+
Southeastern University,FL,2.085,C+
Livingstone College,NC,2.085,C+
Allen University,SC,2.085,C+
Loyola University Maryland,MD,2.08,C+
King’s College,PA,2.08,C+
Lane College,TN,2.08,C+
Southern California Institute of Architecture,CA,2.075,C
Norwich University,VT,2.075,C
Capitol Technology University,MD,2.075,C
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University,LA,2.075,C
Cumberland University,TN,2.075,C
National University,CA,2.07,C
Augustana College,IL,2.07,C
Edgewood College,WI,2.07,C
Trine University,IN,2.07,C
California Lutheran University,CA,2.07,C
Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science,NY,2.065,C
Wilmington University,DE,2.059,C
Susquehanna University,PA,2.059,C
Lindenwood University,MO,2.054,C
Metropolitan College of New York,NY,2.054,C
Saint Augustine’s University,NC,2.054,C
Indiana Wesleyan University-Marion,IN,2.049,C
Anderson University,SC,2.049,C
Salve Regina University,RI,2.049,C
Tabor College,KS,2.049,C
University of Sioux Falls,SD,2.044,C
Mount St. Mary’s University,MD,2.044,C
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,NY,2.039,C
St. John’s University-New York,NY,2.039,C
Indiana Institute of Technology,IN,2.039,C
Linfield University,OR,2.034,C
Otterbein University,OH,2.034,C
Stevens Institute of Technology,NJ,2.034,C
Shaw University,NC,2.034,C
William Jewell College,MO,2.034,C
Endicott College,MA,2.028,C
Ithaca College,NY,2.018,C
Reinhardt University,GA,2.018,C
Gordon College,MA,2.013,C
Stetson University,FL,2.013,C
Carroll College,MT,2.013,C
Loras College,IA,2.013,C
Oakland City University,IN,2.008,C
Bob Jones University,SC,2.008,C
Johnson & Wales University-Providence,RI,2.003,C
Lees-McRae College,NC,2.003,C
Quinnipiac University,CT,1.992,C
University of Scranton,PA,1.992,C
Eastern Mennonite University,VA,1.992,C
Florida Memorial University,FL,1.992,C
Mount Mercy University,IA,1.987,C
Seattle Pacific University,WA,1.982,C
Houghton University,NY,1.982,C
St. John’s College,MD,1.972,C
York College of Pennsylvania,PA,1.972,C
Maryville College,TN,1.972,C
Louisiana Christian University,LA,1.972,C
Long Island University,NY,1.966,C
Mount Saint Joseph University,OH,1.966,C
Kettering University,MI,1.966,C
Holy Family University,PA,1.961,C
Iona University,NY,1.961,C
Oklahoma City University,OK,1.961,C
Columbia College,MO,1.961,C
Manchester University,IN,1.961,C
University of Dallas,TX,1.956,C
University of Lynchburg,VA,1.956,C
Columbia International University,SC,1.956,C
Juniata College,PA,1.951,C
Carroll University,WI,1.951,C
Mount Aloysius College,PA,1.946,C
Laguna College of Art and Design,CA,1.941,C
Messiah University,PA,1.941,C
North Park University,IL,1.941,C
Fairfield University,CT,1.935,C
George Fox University,OR,1.935,C
Mercy College,NY,1.935,C
Edward Waters University,FL,1.935,C
Nebraska Wesleyan University,NE,1.93,C
University of the Southwest,NM,1.93,C
Evangel University,MO,1.93,C
Alma College,MI,1.925,C
College of Saint Benedict,MN,1.925,C
Park University,MO,1.925,C
University of Providence,MT,1.925,C
Lebanon Valley College,PA,1.92,C
Saint Joseph’s University,PA,1.92,C
Cornerstone University,MI,1.92,C
Franklin University,OH,1.915,C
Ohio Wesleyan University,OH,1.915,C
Mississippi College,MS,1.915,C
Siena College,NY,1.91,C
Bradley University,IL,1.894,C
Dean College,MA,1.894,C
Bay Path University,MA,1.889,C
Marian University,WI,1.889,C
Andrews University,MI,1.889,C
Valparaiso University,IN,1.884,C
Hamline University,MN,1.879,C
Saint Norbert College,WI,1.879,C
Saint Xavier University,IL,1.879,C
LeTourneau University,TX,1.879,C
Benedict College,SC,1.879,C
DePaul University,IL,1.874,C
New York Institute of Technology,NY,1.868,C
Biola University,CA,1.863,C
McDaniel College,MD,1.858,C
Rivier University,NH,1.858,C
Cleveland Institute of Art,OH,1.858,C
Northwest Nazarene University,ID,1.858,C
La Sierra University,CA,1.853,C
University of Evansville,IN,1.853,C
University of Saint Joseph,CT,1.853,C
Viterbo University,WI,1.848,C
Queens University of Charlotte,NC,1.848,C
Shorter University,GA,1.848,C
Milwaukee School of Engineering,WI,1.843,C
Hult International Business School,MA,1.837,C
Curry College,MA,1.837,C
University of Bridgeport,CT,1.837,C
Brewton-Parker College,GA,1.837,C
Trinity Christian College,IL,1.837,C
St. Thomas Aquinas College,NY,1.832,C
Friends University,KS,1.822,C
University of St Thomas,TX,1.822,C
Hood College,MD,1.822,C
Chestnut Hill College,PA,1.822,C
Hannibal-LaGrange University,MO,1.822,C
California Baptist University,CA,1.817,C
St. Thomas University,FL,1.812,C
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne,IN,1.812,C
Wilmington College,OH,1.806,C
Bellevue University,NE,1.806,C
Whitworth University,WA,1.806,C
National Louis University,IL,1.806,C
Saint Michael’s College,VT,1.806,C
Mount Vernon Nazarene University,OH,1.806,C
Wartburg College,IA,1.806,C
Providence College,RI,1.801,C
Missouri Baptist University,MO,1.801,C
Chowan University,NC,1.801,C
Grace Christian University,MI,1.801,C
Lincoln Memorial University,TN,1.796,C
The University of Findlay,OH,1.796,C
Ursuline College,OH,1.791,C
University of Mary,ND,1.791,C
Our Lady of the Lake University,TX,1.791,C
Brevard College,NC,1.791,C
Wittenberg University,OH,1.791,C
D’Youville University,NY,1.786,C
Lyon College,AR,1.786,C
Wagner College,NY,1.775,C
Emerson College,MA,1.775,C
Nazareth College,NY,1.775,C
Loyola University New Orleans,LA,1.775,C
Thomas College,ME,1.775,C
LaGrange College,GA,1.775,C
Ferrum College,VA,1.77,C
Lewis University,IL,1.77,C
Saint Martin’s University,WA,1.77,C
University of Saint Mary,KS,1.765,C
North Greenville University,SC,1.765,C
Prescott College,AZ,1.765,C
Point University,GA,1.765,C
Monmouth University,NJ,1.76,C
Coker University,SC,1.76,C
Concordia University Texas,TX,1.755,C-
Guilford College,NC,1.755,C-
Concordia University-Irvine,CA,1.75,C-
Converse University,SC,1.75,C-
Franklin College,IN,1.745,C-
Seattle University,WA,1.745,C-
Drake University,IA,1.745,C-
Campbell University,NC,1.745,C-
Hope International University,CA,1.739,C-
William Woods University,MO,1.739,C-
North Central College,IL,1.734,C-
The College of Saint Scholastica,MN,1.734,C-
Maryland Institute College of Art,MD,1.734,C-
Central College,IA,1.734,C-
Bridgewater College,VA,1.729,C-
Washington & Jefferson College,PA,1.729,C-
William Peace University,NC,1.729,C-
University of La Verne,CA,1.729,C-
Westminster College,UT,1.729,C-
University of San Francisco,CA,1.719,C-
Kentucky Wesleyan College,KY,1.719,C-
Capital University,OH,1.714,C-
Mount Mary University,WI,1.714,C-
Oglethorpe University,GA,1.714,C-
Meredith College,NC,1.708,C-
Mercer University,GA,1.708,C-
University of Mount Olive,NC,1.708,C-
Union College,KY,1.703,C-
Touro University,NY,1.703,C-
Butler University,IN,1.703,C-
Dominican University,IL,1.703,C-
Fisher College,MA,1.698,C-
Saint Mary’s College of California,CA,1.698,C-
Lesley University,MA,1.693,C-
St Bonaventure University,NY,1.693,C-
University of Holy Cross,LA,1.688,C-
Emory & Henry College,VA,1.688,C-
St. Joseph’s University-New York,NY,1.683,C-
Maranatha Baptist University,WI,1.683,C-
Wiley College,TX,1.683,C-
Morningside University,IA,1.677,C-
Emmanuel College,GA,1.677,C-
Colby-Sawyer College,NH,1.667,C-
University of the Incarnate Word,TX,1.662,C-
Ursinus College,PA,1.657,C-
Southwest Baptist University,MO,1.657,C-
Florida Southern College,FL,1.657,C-
Christian Brothers University,TN,1.657,C-
Midland University,NE,1.657,C-
Piedmont University,GA,1.652,C-
College of Our Lady of the Elms,MA,1.652,C-
Huntington University,IN,1.652,C-
Lubbock Christian University,TX,1.652,C-
Wilberforce University,OH,1.652,C-
Husson University,ME,1.646,C-
Tiffin University,OH,1.641,C-
Clarke University,IA,1.636,C-
Bluefield University,VA,1.636,C-
Mount Saint Mary College,NY,1.631,C-
The New School,NY,1.631,C-
Georgian Court University,NJ,1.631,C-
Moravian University,PA,1.631,C-
Stevenson University,MD,1.631,C-
Grand View University,IA,1.626,C-
Xavier University,OH,1.615,C-
Manhattan School of Music,NY,1.615,C-
Lancaster Bible College,PA,1.615,C-
Greenville University,IL,1.615,C-
Concordia University-Saint Paul,MN,1.61,C-
Springfield College,MA,1.61,C-
Warner University,FL,1.61,C-
Cedar Crest College,PA,1.605,C-
Fordham University,NY,1.605,C-
William Carey University,MS,1.605,C-
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota,MN,1.605,C-
St. Francis College,NY,1.605,C-
Walsh University,OH,1.6,C-
Boston Architectural College,MA,1.59,C-
Northwest University,WA,1.59,C-
Misericordia University,PA,1.585,C-
Thomas More University,KY,1.585,C-
Regent University,VA,1.579,C-
Dakota Wesleyan University,SD,1.579,C-
Roberts Wesleyan University,NY,1.579,C-
University of Redlands,CA,1.574,C-
Seton Hill University,PA,1.574,C-
Lake Forest College,IL,1.574,C-
Columbia College Chicago,IL,1.569,C-
Seton Hall University,NJ,1.569,C-
Wilson College,PA,1.564,C-
Life University,GA,1.559,C-
Marian University,IN,1.559,C-
Shenandoah University,VA,1.559,C-
Augsburg University,MN,1.559,C-
Daemen University,NY,1.554,C-
Trinity International University-Illinois,IL,1.554,C-
Rockhurst University,MO,1.554,C-
Eckerd College,FL,1.548,C-
Elizabethtown College,PA,1.548,C-
Missouri Valley College,MO,1.548,C-
Blue Mountain Christian University,MS,1.548,C-
Spalding University,KY,1.543,C-
Caribbean University-Bayamon,PR,1.543,C-
William Penn University,IA,1.538,C-
Nova Southeastern University,FL,1.528,C-
Dallas Baptist University,TX,1.528,C-
DeSales University,PA,1.523,C-
Clarkson University,NY,1.523,C-
Arcadia University,PA,1.517,C-
Alvernia University,PA,1.517,C-
Universidad Central de Bayamon,PR,1.517,C-
Newberry College,SC,1.512,C-
Quincy University,IL,1.512,C-
North Central University,MN,1.507,C-
Widener University,PA,1.497,C-
Campbellsville University,KY,1.497,C-
Illinois Institute of Technology,IL,1.497,C-
Midway University,KY,1.492,C-
Brenau University,GA,1.492,C-
West Virginia Wesleyan College,WV,1.486,C-
Drexel University,PA,1.486,C-
University of Mobile,AL,1.486,C-
William Jessup University,CA,1.486,C-
Albright College,PA,1.486,C-
Pillar College,NJ,1.471,C-
Saint Elizabeth University,NJ,1.466,C-
Chaminade University of Honolulu,HI,1.461,C-
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College,IN,1.461,C-
Belmont Abbey College,NC,1.461,C-
Northland College,WI,1.455,C-
Presbyterian College,SC,1.45,C-
Cairn University-Langhorne,PA,1.45,C-
Felician University,NJ,1.45,C-
Kansas Wesleyan University,KS,1.45,C-
Wentworth Institute of Technology,MA,1.445,C-
Adelphi University,NY,1.445,C-
Manhattan College,NY,1.445,C-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,NY,1.44,C-
Fresno Pacific University,CA,1.44,C-
Anderson University,IN,1.435,D
Simmons University,MA,1.43,D
MidAmerica Nazarene University,KS,1.43,D
Faulkner University,AL,1.43,D
Siena Heights University,MI,1.43,D
Belhaven University,MS,1.425,D
Northwestern Health Sciences University,MN,1.419,D
College of Mount Saint Vincent,NY,1.419,D
Maryville University of Saint Louis,MO,1.409,D
Eastern University,PA,1.409,D
University of Detroit Mercy,MI,1.409,D
Texas Lutheran University,TX,1.409,D
Union University,TN,1.404,D
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology,PA,1.404,D
Lindsey Wilson College,KY,1.399,D
Baker University,KS,1.394,D
Ohio Christian University,OH,1.388,D
University of St Francis,IL,1.388,D
Pfeiffer University,NC,1.388,D
Washington Adventist University,MD,1.383,D
Pacific University,OR,1.368,D
Colorado Christian University,CO,1.368,D
Wilkes University,PA,1.363,D
Gardner-Webb University,NC,1.363,D
Thiel College,PA,1.363,D
Carthage College,WI,1.357,D
Nichols College,MA,1.357,D
Brescia University,KY,1.357,D
Hastings College,NE,1.352,D
Lipscomb University,TN,1.347,D
Alverno College,WI,1.332,D
Wingate University,NC,1.332,D
Marywood University,PA,1.332,D
Saint Edward’s University,TX,1.326,D
Barry University,FL,1.326,D
Bellarmine University,KY,1.326,D
King University,TN,1.321,D
Suffolk University,MA,1.321,D
Pacific Lutheran University,WA,1.321,D
Roger Williams University,RI,1.316,D
Central Baptist College,AR,1.316,D
Carolina University,NC,1.316,D
Avila University,MO,1.316,D
Florida Institute of Technology,FL,1.311,D
Aurora University,IL,1.311,D
Bennington College,VT,1.311,D
Olivet College,MI,1.311,D
Rocky Mountain College,MT,1.306,D
Lawrence Technological University,MI,1.306,D
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus,NJ,1.306,D
Drury University,MO,1.306,D
Gannon University,PA,1.29,D
Crown College,MN,1.29,D
Davenport University,MI,1.29,D
Saint Joseph’s College of Maine,ME,1.29,D
Southern Nazarene University,OK,1.29,D
North Carolina Wesleyan University,NC,1.28,D
Aquinas College,MI,1.275,D
Benedictine University,IL,1.275,D
Cornell College,IA,1.275,D
Merrimack College,MA,1.27,D
Lynn University,FL,1.265,D
Marietta College,OH,1.265,D
Molloy College,NY,1.259,D
Webster University,MO,1.259,D
Mercyhurst University,PA,1.259,D
Lourdes University,OH,1.259,D
Spring Hill College,AL,1.259,D
University of Jamestown,ND,1.254,D
Waynesburg University,PA,1.249,D
Truett McConnell University,GA,1.244,D
Point Park University,PA,1.239,D
Regis University,CO,1.239,D
Madonna University,MI,1.234,D
Lee University,TN,1.234,D
Concordia University-Nebraska,NE,1.234,D
Bethel University,TN,1.234,D
Hartwick College,NY,1.228,D
Huntingdon College,AL,1.228,D
Webber International University,FL,1.223,D
Bethel University,IN,1.223,D
Niagara University,NY,1.218,D
Manhattanville College,NY,1.213,D
University of Indianapolis,IN,1.213,D
Naropa University,CO,1.203,D
Franklin Pierce University,NH,1.203,D
Bryan College-Dayton,TN,1.203,D
Russell Sage College,NY,1.192,D
Champlain College,VT,1.192,D
Robert Morris University,PA,1.192,D
St. Andrews University,NC,1.187,D
Albion College,MI,1.187,D
Briar Cliff University,IA,1.187,D
Emmanuel College,MA,1.177,D
Lasell University,MA,1.177,D
Mount Marty University,SD,1.166,D
Albertus Magnus College,CT,1.161,D
Culver-Stockton College,MO,1.156,D
La Salle University,PA,1.156,D
Arizona Christian University,AZ,1.156,D
Western New England University,MA,1.146,D
Delaware Valley University,PA,1.146,D
Elmira College,NY,1.146,D
Marymount University,VA,1.141,D
Erskine College,SC,1.135,D
Roosevelt University,IL,1.135,D
Upper Iowa University,IA,1.13,D
Malone University,OH,1.13,D
Tennessee Wesleyan University,TN,1.12,D
Central Christian College of Kansas,KS,1.115,D
McKendree University,IL,1.11,D
Lake Erie College,OH,1.11,D
American International College,MA,1.099,D
Corban University,OR,1.099,D
Virginia Wesleyan University,VA,1.089,D
Greensboro College,NC,1.089,D
Limestone University,SC,1.089,D
Azusa Pacific University,CA,1.084,D
Hawaii Pacific University,HI,1.084,D
Tusculum University,TN,1.084,D
Saint Francis University,PA,1.079,D
Anna Maria College,MA,1.048,D
Judson University,IL,1.048,D
Baldwin Wallace University,OH,1.043,D
Cleary University,MI,1.037,D
Caldwell University,NJ,1.037,D
Boricua College,NY,1.032,D
Columbia College,SC,1.027,D
University of Hartford,CT,1.022,D
Pacific Union College,CA,1.022,D
Hiram College,OH,1.012,D
Immaculata University,PA,1.001,D
Rockford University,IL,1.001,D
Dominican University New York,NY,0.991,D
Coe College,IA,0.986,D
Defiance College,OH,0.986,D
Saint Leo University,FL,0.986,D
Ohio Dominican University,OH,0.981,D
Keuka College,NY,0.975,D
Olivet Nazarene University,IL,0.97,D
Wesleyan College,GA,0.965,D
Woodbury University,CA,0.96,D
Lakeland University,WI,0.96,D
Carlow University,PA,0.95,D
Utica University,NY,0.939,D
University of New Haven,CT,0.934,D
Keystone College,PA,0.919,D
Chatham University,PA,0.914,D
Regis College,MA,0.908,D
Neumann University,PA,0.893,D
Hilbert College,NY,0.893,D
Dominican University of California,CA,0.888,D
Saint Peter’s University,NJ,0.888,D
Adrian College,MI,0.872,D
Newman University,KS,0.867,D
New England College,NH,0.857,D
Concordia University-Chicago,IL,0.836,D
Averett University,VA,0.836,D
Rider University,NJ,0.826,D
Southwestern College,KS,0.826,D
Jacksonville University,FL,0.821,D
Georgetown College,KY,0.805,D
Pace University,NY,0.8,D
Centenary University,NJ,0.795,D
Ottawa University-Ottawa,KS,0.754,D
Drew University,NJ,0.754,D
Barton College,NC,0.712,D
Carson-Newman University,TN,0.681,D
Sterling College,KS,0.609,D
Wow! Has the grading system changed, or are all these schools really that much worse off than in 2021?
Thanks for posting
Just comparing a few to last year and they are much worse off. I dont think the grading system changed
I’m really surprised to see Princeton as an A-. I thought/think they had one of the highest endowments per student. But I don’t know the algorithm Forbes is using, so could be something strange or unexpected driving it.
EDIT: Having looked up the algorithm for 2023, it looks like metrics that Princeton would have aced (low % of tuition as part of revenue, high yield rate, etc.)
2023 report is open for free views: Forbes 2023 College Financial Grades: The Nation’s Strongest And Weakest Schools
I don’t know what the college money was called, but for elementary and secondary schools, there were ESSER funds from the American Rescue Plan that was approved during Covid that sent a lot of extra money towards schools. But that funding is ending and is supposed to be entirely used up by 9/30/24, or something like that (it might have been 6/30 to spend and reimbursements through 9/30, but I’m not in finance). Anyway, I believe there was designated funding for colleges (not ESSER) due to Covid, and I think that has been the financial lifeline for a number of schools. Now that the funding has been exhausted, it looks like their financial grades are plummeting.
I’m pretty sure taking on additional debt will also affect a college’s “grade”. Wesleyan University carried an A+ rating for two years running until the 2024 results. The only difference as far as I can tell is the issuance of additional construction bonds in connection with Wesleyan’s Life Sciences Building, due to open in 2026. According to Moody’s (this is behind a paywall):
Rating Action
11 Mar 2024
Moody’s Ratings
New York, March 11, 2024 – Moody’s Ratings has affirmed Wesleyan University’s Aa3 issuer rating and its debt ratings of Aa3 and Aa3/VMIG 1. Total debt outstanding as of fiscal 2023 was $449 million. The outlook is stable.
RATINGS RATIONALE
The affirmation of Wesleyan University’s Aa3 issuer rating reflects its excellent brand and strategic positioning as a selective private liberal arts institution with deep student demand and broad geographic reach within the US and internationally. Strong fundraising and sizable EBIDA margins have aided reserve growth that provides ample coverage of operations. Wesleyan’s effective management and governance yields clear strategic direction and also remain a credit strength. Conservative budget management and growing net tuition revenue underpin solid operating and EBIDA margins, providing strong financial flexibility. Offsetting challenges include high leverage and an all bullet maturity debt structure that limits future debt capacity. Credit challenges also include intense competition from institutions with larger endowments on a per student basis, and a moderately high reliance on student charges compared to peers.
The affirmation of the university’s Aa3 revenue bond rating reflects the issuer rating and the general obligation nature of the debt repayment obligation.
The affirmation of the university’s VMIG 1 is supported by the university’s sufficient self-liquidity and strong treasury management.
RATING OUTLOOK
The stable outlook reflects Moody’s expectations that the university will maintain strong and growing reserves and healthy liquidity relative to its high leverage and ongoing capital needs. It also incorporates maintenance of strong EBIDA margins and limited additional borrowing.
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO AN UPGRADE OF THE RATINGS
Growth of cash and investments exceeding peers, providing a greater buffer to leverage
Strengthened student demand outside the university's traditional markets while maintaining strong pricing power
FACTORS THAT COULD LEAD TO A DOWNGRADE OF THE RATINGS
Reduction in total wealth and liquidity, diminishing its cushion relative to debt and operations
Material increase in debt
Sustained deterioration of operating performance
For the short term rating, consistently weak coverage of demand debt from self-liquidity or multiple notch decline in long term rating
As a request, could you edit in gaps between the letter-grade levels?
Holllins’ 9% admission yield would seem to indicate a currently undesirable level of student-body stability.
“Admissions Yield” is only 10% of each college’s final grade
and apparently, it can only get “full credit”, if its yield is 57% or above.
Not so different for our personal credit scores. Even if we have sufficient cash on hand or prospective future income that it’s not a problem to cover it - if we take on debt (car loan, mortgage, etc), our credit score drops.
Construction bonds make complete sense for a school to use for a long term capital project but it does add a liability on the balance sheet.
Northeastern gets an A-, Boston College B+, Boston University B.
Stats are used for a lot more than the US News rankings.
All three have undertaken major capital projects in the past 5 years with more planned.
For some reason it is only giving me the opportunity to edit the title???
Thank you! It appears that the one-day window for the standard editing of that post has closed.
It always surprises me that more families don’t look into the financial stability of schools before allowing their child to commit. It’s not difficult to find a variety of sources that list the financial outlook of schools. Every situation is different, but I just can’t see letting my kid go to a school with a D- ranking…seems risky…If your kid is already there and the ranking changes, obviously you’re probably just going to hope for the best, but there are a lot of great schools (at all levels) that have decent financial rankings, so I’d think it should be a significant factor in decision making?
FWIW, a subscription to Moody’s is free.
I wholeheartedly agree, but as one who has looked closely at opportunities at “Colleges that Change Lives”, I’m sad to see so many of them have low grades when they have so much to offer. St. John’s Annapolis is on our radar and they plummeted from an A in 2023 and to a C in 2024. Hampshire had reinvented itself and reached an A rating only to fall again to a C+. College of Wooster is a B-. These are fine teaching institutions. I do not expect them to have A+ ratings or gazillions in an endowment, but I do want to feel secure sending a kid there.
I also worry about the students served and staff employed at many of the D institutions on this list, but intellectually, I understand that many will (and probably should) fold.