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Great Colleges To Work For 2012

August 5, 2012

In our fifth annual survey, 103 colleges were recognized. Learn more about the 12 recognition categories in which each was evaluated. Colleges marked with a are on the Honor Roll.

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Meet 2012's Outstanding Colleges

In our fifth annual survey, 103 colleges were recognized. Learn more about the 12 recognition categories in which each was evaluated. Colleges marked with a are on the Honor Roll.

View by or

Recognition categories in which
this college performed well:

Collaborative Governance

Compensation and Benefits

Confidence in Senior Leadership

Diversity

Facilities, Workspace & Security

Job Satisfaction

Professional/Career-Development Programs

Respect and Appreciation

Supervisor or Department-Chair Relationship

Teaching Environment

Tenure Clarity and Process

Work/Life Balance

Name

State

Honor Roll

These colleges are the best of the best. Those that make the Honor Roll are cited most often across all recognition categories, and grouped by enrollment size. (Small institutions have 2,999 or fewer students, medium ones have 3,000 to 9,999, and large ones have 10,000 or more.) Ten four-year colleges, and four two-year colleges, make the cut in each size.

Large
Medium
Small

Large 2-Year Colleges

2-Year Colleges are not evaluated in the Tenure Clarity and Process category.

^* Faculty Only

By Category

Category profile and honorees
Pick your priorities

Great Colleges achieve excellence in at least one of 12 categories, such as Work / Life Balance. They are rated by their faculty and staff, who agree or disagree with survey statements related to each category.(See our methodology for details.) Colleges are grouped as four-year or two-year institutions, and by enrollment size. Pull down the menu to see top performers and statistics.

Collaborative Governance

Faculty members play significant roles in decisions related to academic programs. Employees agree with statements like "Faculty, administration, and staff are meaningfully involved in institutional planning."

Compensation and Benefits

Pay is fair, and there is overall satisfaction with benefits. Employees agree with statements like "This institution's benefits meet my needs."

Confidence in Senior Leadership

Leaders have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary for the success of the college. Employees agree with statements like "Senior leadership provides a clear direction for this institution's future."

Diversity

The college makes a concerted effort to create a welcoming and fair environment for all employees. Employees agree with statements like "This institution has clear and effective procedures for dealing with discrimination."

Facilities, Workspace & Security

Facilities meet employees' needs, and the campus appearance is pleasing. Employees agree with statements like "The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a safe and secure environment for the campus."

Job Satisfaction

There is an overall sense that the job is meaningful to the employee and to the college. Employees agree with statements like "My job makes good use of my skills and abilities."

Professional/Career-Development Programs

Employees get the chance to develop skills and they understand their requirements for career advancement. They agree with statements like "Our orientation program prepares new faculty, administration, and staff to be effective."

Respect and Appreciation

Employees are regularly recognized for their contributions. Employees agree with statements like "Our recognition and awards programs are meaningful to me."

Supervisor or Department-Chair Relationship

Supervisors or chairs makes expectations clear and solicit ideas. Employees agree with statements like "I believe what I am told by my supervisor/department chair."

Teaching Environment

Faculty members say the institution recognizes innovative and high-quality teaching. They agree with statements like "Teaching is appropriately recognized in the evaluation and promotion process." (Faculty only.)

Tenure Clarity and Process

Requirements for tenure are clear. Employees agree with statements like "Promotions in my department are based on a person's ability." (Faculty at four-year institutions only.)

Work/Life Balance

College policies give employees the flexibility to manage their lives on the job and at home. Employees agree with statements like "My supervisor/department chair supports my efforts to balance my work and personal life."

Here's your opportunity to customize your own list of great colleges based on the categories most important to you. Slide categories towards the right with your mouse. As you select more, the number of colleges that meet those criteria will dwindle to fewer and fewer. Try it out!

Collaborative Governance

Compensation and Benefits

Confidence in Senior Leadership

Diversity

Facilities, Workspace & Security

Job Satisfaction

Professional/ Career-Development Programs

Respect and Appreciation

Supervisor or Department- Chair Relationship

Teaching Environment

Tenure Clarity and Process

Work/Life Balance

Drop the categories you wish to select here

Reset

Colleges that meet criteria from your selected categories will display here

Large 4-year Colleges

Medium 4-year Colleges

Small 4-year Colleges

Large 2-year Colleges

Medium 2-year Colleges

Small 2-year Colleges

HONOR ROLL

Recognized in these Great Colleges categories

Start typing college name, highlight choice in list, and press enter.

2-Year Colleges are not evaluated in the Tenure Clarity and Process category.

^* Faculty Only

Compare this college to others

Outstanding features

Recognition history

On the 2012 Honor Roll.
2012 is this college's first year on the Great Colleges list.

Vital statistics

Staff size

Administrators/exempt professionals:
Full-time faculty:
Adjunct/part-time faculty:

Average annual salaries

Administrators:
Exempt professionals:
Full-time faculty:
Adjunct/part-time faculty (per 3-credit course):

Voluntary turnover rates

Faculty:
Other staff:

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