Agnes Scott College Recognized as a National Leader for Innovation and First-Year Student Experiences

DECATUR, Ga. – In addition to ranking as the No. 1 Most Innovative college for the seventh consecutive year, Agnes Scott College has been named No. 3 among all colleges and universities in the country for First-Year Experiences in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings. 

The college also placed No. 3 for Best Undergraduate Teaching, No. 4 for Social Mobility and No. 6 for Study Abroad. Agnes Scott is considered a Best Value by U.S. News & World Report at No. 28. 

This latest recognition reflects the value of Agnes Scott’s unique SUMMIT curriculum, which ensures all students – beginning in year one – a transformational global and leadership experience.

“The first-year experience is an essential building block for a student’s academic, personal and professional success,” said Leocadia I. Zak, president of Agnes Scott College. “Our innovative curriculum combined with real-world experiences such as Global Journeys—a faculty-led global experience for every first-year student—prepares our students to claim their places in the community, workplace and the world.”

SUMMIT infuses year one with high-impact practices like Global Journeys that help students build their intercultural competencies while developing essential leadership skills. In their second year, students take part in SCALE (Sophomore Class Atlanta Leadership Experience), participating in “externships” with leading Atlanta businesses and organizations such as AT&T, Mercedes Benz USA, Jackson Spalding and The Task Force for Global Health. These experiences, in combination with our rigorous liberal arts curriculum and inclusive and diverse community, ensure students find their paths to professional success. The college’s ranking for Social Mobility is a result of its success in graduating socioeconomically disadvantaged students. “Agnes Scott College takes a holistic approach to the student experience,” says Zak. “We combine an outstanding academic experience, appreciation for culture and diversity, internship and study abroad opportunities and an outstanding alumnae/i network to support student success. Innovation, academic excellence and the student experience are always at the forefront of what we do.”

 To learn more about Agnes Scott College, please visit agnesscott.edu.