HELENA–Carroll College was recently identified as the leading "hidden gem" college in Montana for the second year in a row by College Raptor, Inc. Hidden gems are defined as high-caliber colleges and universities which receive fewer than 5,000 applicants per year but have a total enrollment of greater than 1,000.
The top hidden gem in each state was determined by analyzing colleges based on their enrollment and application data submitted to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Each institution also received an “Overall Ranking” of quality based on academic and outcome data, including graduation rate, selectivity, student-to-faculty ratio and other factors.
Carroll College was one of 49 institutions recognized across the country. One college was named from each state, with the exception of Alaska, which did not have an institution meeting the criteria for recognition. Hidden gem designations help bring attention to smaller institutions which may be lesser known than larger state universities but stand out in terms of academic rigor and student success.
In addition to being recognized as a hidden gem, Carroll College has also been ranked as the #1 Regional College in the West by U.S. News & World Report for five years running, as well as number one in their Regional Colleges West Best Value Schools ranking. Carroll has also been designated as a College of Distinction.