Taylor University Achieves High National Rankings in Newest Open Doors Survey

Taylor University has received high national and regional rankings from the newest Open Doors report—a survey associated with the U.S. Department of State that measures study abroad and service learning trips from colleges and universities in the United States to international destinations.

In the category Total Number of Study Abroad Students: Top 40 Baccalaureate Colleges, Taylor is ranked ninth nationally—a ranking that is significant in that Taylor is competing with larger universities on a nationwide scale. Taylor also moved from last year’s fourth-place ranking to a third-place ranking among Baccalaureate Colleges for the number of students who experienced a short-term trip, and was sixth among Top 40 Baccalaureate Colleges for the percentage of students who participated in a study abroad experience.

The Open Doors report is a comprehensive information resource on U.S. students studying abroad for academic credit from their home colleges, and is published by the Institute of International Education, an independent, not-for-profit organization with a network of over 1,200 member institutions. It is supported by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

The data used in the survey was compiled during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Taylor students study and serve abroad in 36 countries that include Bahamas, Belize, China, Ecuador, England, Greece, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Namibia, Paraguay, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Uganda.

“College and university graduates in the 21st century who have the global understanding and competencies that are gained through living and studying within international settings increasingly have an advantage in effectively fulfilling their calling to serve the world and to compete in today’s job market,” said Dr. Jeff Moshier, Taylor’s Provost. “Global learning and service has characterized the Taylor University educational experience for many years and the percentage and numbers of our students who take advantage of this wonderful opportunity continue to be among our nation’s highest. We continue to be grateful to Open Doors for this external recognition and validation of our overseas learning and service programs.    

The Open Doors rankings come on the heels of Taylor’s number two ranking in the Midwest in the U.S. News & World Report category Best Regional Colleges—the 21st consecutive year for Taylor to be ranked in the region’s top three. Taylor has also been highly ranked by Forbes.com, The Princeton Review, and Washington Monthly.