Surprises in Undergrad Schools Producing Doctorates: Punching Above Their Weight

[Corinthian]

I thought the original purpose of this thread was to discuss non-elite undergrad schools “punching above their weight” in some area. Yet it seems to have turned into a focus on elite R1’s vs elite LAC’s, a debate that’s been had a thousand times on CC.

@twoinanddone

My first thought on reading the high number of higher degrees coming out of Hope or Corinthian was that many could be in Divinity. Those schools are religious and many grads want to continue with careers in counseling or ministry, which may require an advanced degree to even get an entry level job. They may even be sponsored for their advanced degrees by the religious organizations.

As for Hope College, I don’t know the actual breakdown but my guess is that the majority of the PhD outcomes are STEM. Not that many people who go into ministerial careers get a PhD. There is a “Studies in Ministry Minor” that prepares one for entry level positions in church organizations. Center for Ministry Studies | Hope College. And there is a Religion major with 4 tracks, one of which is Biblical Studies and is the recommended major for those who want to go to seminary. But most of those students will get an M.Div. or at most a D.Min. (Doctor of Ministry). Degree Programs | Religion Department