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Paying for a postsecondary education is probably one of the largest investments that you will make in your lifetime. As such, it is important to find a school that can meet your expectations. To help you in this search, we have put together the following list, which includes the top 10 private colleges and top 10 public colleges that have the highest rates of student satisfaction. We created this ranking by using a variety of quantitative metrics, including a school's student retention rate and student-to-faculty ratio. We also considered the percentage of alumni who donate money to their alma mater.

You can review the schools in the following section to learn more about what they offer and what makes them so appealing to learners. You can also find links to each institution's website.

Top 10 Private Colleges With the Highest Student Satisfaction Rates

Top 10 Public Colleges With the Highest Student Satisfaction Rates

What Is Student Satisfaction?

Students are more satisfied when their education and personal needs are met. Satisfaction leads to a healthy state of mind, higher academic performance, and more positive outcomes after graduation. Both academic and personal factors influence whether learners feel satisfied throughout college.

Since it is a subjective feeling, satisfaction can vary among students who take the same courses, live in the same dorm, and have the same circle of friends. As such, no school can provide complete satisfaction to all learners.

Read on to learn more about the factors that can improve student satisfaction.

Why Is Student Satisfaction So Important?

Student satisfaction is a crucial part of the college experience because it can influence whether learners earn a degree. Unsatisfied degree-seekers who drop out of college earn significantly less than learners who graduate. Professionals with lower salaries take longer to pay back student loans, which negatively affects their credit scores.

One way to try and determine which colleges have the happiest students is by examining a school's graduation rate. A lower graduation rate typically implies lower satisfaction. Although an impressive graduation rate does not automatically mean that the school ranks as one of the happiest colleges in the United States, it is a good indicator of the quality of services that students receive.

What Affects Student Satisfaction?

Much of a student's satisfaction stems from their academic experience. The happiest colleges in the United States typically employ excellent professors and support staff. These professionals use their knowledge and expertise to pair learners with appropriate resources. Top schools also offer learners smaller class sizes.

Another trait that determines what colleges have the happiest students is mental health. Young adults can experience depression regarding low grades, student debt, loss of friends from high school, and strained relationships with immediate family members. Colleges and universities that provide mental health services have some of the most satisfied learners.

How Do Schools Increase Student Satisfaction?

The happiest colleges in the United States take proactive steps to increase student satisfaction. These adjustments may include offering virtual courses, updating dorms, and providing multiple dining options. Together, these changes can increase student satisfaction considerably.

The steps that colleges take to increase student satisfaction have one main goal: make the college campus a place where learners want to spend time. If students feel compelled to stay, they can contribute positively to campus culture and have a fulfilling experience that prepares them for professional success.

How Is School Satisfaction Measured?

To make campus a happier place, schools need to understand how former learners feel about their time in college. Schools can use multiple methods to collect this information, including surveys. Surveys may ask graduates and students who dropped out questions about their academic journey.

Schools can also perform institutional research by analyzing graduation data and determining what percentage of learners used specific campus services. Additionally, the number of alumni who donate to a college -- as well as the size of donations -- is a good indicator of the quality of educational experiences a school provides.

Last Updated: August 31, 2020

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