Maryville Ranks No. 1 for Social Mobility Among St. Louis Colleges and Universities
What you should know:
- Maryville University ranks No. 1 for social mobility among private colleges in the St. Louis area.
- 98% of Maryville graduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.
- Rankings are based on graduation rates, early-career earnings, and average student debt.
- Data comes from CollegeNET’s 2025 Social Mobility Index.
At Maryville University, everything we do is informed by our dedication to maximizing graduates’ career outcomes — and when it comes to social mobility, the data shows our approach works.
Social mobility refers to a person’s ability to improve their economic and social position over time and is often influenced by factors like education, graduation outcomes, and early-career earnings. According to CollegeNET’s 2025 Social Mobility Index (SMI), Maryville ranks No. 1 in overall social mobility among private colleges in the St. Louis area for helping learners — including working adults and aspiring nurses — translate education into measurable career outcomes.
“This recognition is an incredibly proud moment because it demonstrates that Maryville is not only delivering exceptional outcomes for students at an affordable price — we are also serving as a social and economic mobility engine for the region,” said Dan Shipp, President of Maryville University.
While Maryville’s social mobility ranking is regionally focused, the results reflect a broader, outcomes-driven approach grounded in stronger graduation rates, higher early-career earnings, and proven long-term student success.
In practical terms, social mobility means graduates can complete their degree or certificate programs and pursue higher-paying roles without taking on disproportionate student debt.
“We put the learner at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to know that our efforts pay off,” says Dr. Mykale Elbe, associate dean for nursing and associate professor of nursing at Maryville University. “Our strong social mobility ranking shows that we’re doing exactly what we set out to do: Providing world-class education to help our grads not just take the next step in their nursing careers, but thrive.”
The SMI serves to measure “the extent to which a college or university educates economically disadvantaged students,” according to CollegeNET. Specific attention is paid to career outcomes and the proportion of lower-income graduates who move into higher-paying jobs upon graduation.
“Whether you’re one of our online nursing students or studying on campus in St. Louis, our goal is the same: To give you the knowledge, skills, and support to help you achieve great things.”
— Dr. Mykale Elbe, Associate Dean for Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing
Why did Maryville rank No. 1 for social mobility among St. Louis-area private colleges?
The social mobility scores were calculated based on several key metrics relating to mobility, debt burden, and return on investment.
Maryville ranked competitively across many of these individual metrics. Here’s a look at what that means:
- Lowest average debt among private peers in the St. Louis area
- Top-three ranking for best graduation rates
- Top-three ranking for highest average early-career earnings
“When students are empowered to get a high-quality education and feel supported the whole way, they have the opportunity to hit the ground running after graduation,” says Dr. Elbe. “Whether you’re one of our online nursing students or studying on campus in St. Louis, our goal is the same: To give you the knowledge, skills, and support to help you achieve great things.”
With high-value education, strong support from application through graduation, and proven mobility for graduates, Maryville offers a learning experience designed to prepare graduates across all programs and levels to become leaders and difference-makers in their fields.
Maryville supports students throughout their journey through:
- Dedicated academic advising from enrollment through graduation
- Accessible faculty with real-world experience
- AI-enabled learning tools that support pacing and comprehension
- Career preparation aligned with employer expectation
It’s an approach designed to promote higher success and better outcomes for learners, and it works: Maryville graduates report a rate of 98% positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.
Key takeaways: Social mobility means success
- Maryville ranks No. 1 for social mobility among private colleges in the St. Louis area.
- 98% of Maryville graduates report positive career outcomes within six months of graduation.
- Strong graduation rates and early-career earnings support long-term return on investment.
- Students benefit from comprehensive support, including advising, faculty access, and career preparation.
Maryville University aims to empower learners to grow, advance, and succeed. Backed by career-focused, outcomes-driven education, Maryville offers degrees and certificates shown to provide graduates with a path toward personal and professional development.
Together, these outcomes reflect Maryville University’s commitment to helping learners not only graduate, but move forward with confidence, stability, and momentum in their careers.
As a result, Maryville ranks No. 1 in social mobility among private universities in St. Louis, with high marks in graduation rates, early-career earnings, and average debt.
Prepare to move up in your career with Maryville
Ready to be brave and take the next step in your nursing education? Start with Maryville’s online nursing program.
Backed by Maryville’s 98% positive career outcomes rate and high social mobility indicators, we offer degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as in-demand NP certificate options — each with 100% online coursework to fit around your schedule.
We’re excited to help brave nurses like you maximize your potential and reach your goals. Schedule a quick call and see how a Maryville education can help you achieve your goals in nursing.