WSJ and US News give La Verne top ratings for social mobility
In the Wall Street Journal’s latest college rankings for social mobility, the University of La Verne was ranked #17 nationally, one of only three private universities in the top 20. In U. S. News rankings, La Verne was #6 among national universities, and the top private school among national universities for social mobility. The rankings use different methodologies and weightings, but both take into account factors such as years to pay off the cost of attendance, the extent to which the university boosts a graduate’s salary, and the college’s performance in getting students to graduation.
At the University of La Verne College of Business, we work every day in different ways to help students meet their goals. In 2021, in recognition of a generous gift from Dr. Rita Patel Thakur, the College of Business established the Dr. Rita Patel Thakur Academic Advising Center to provide academic advising to students enrolled in programs at the College of Business at the La Verne Campus. Academic Advisors work closely with the College of Business O’Brien Career Center to help students meet their goals by connecting career planning, interview preparation, resume support, and placement opportunities.
The Rita Thakur Undergraduate Skills For Success Program
| Academic Advising | Career Services | Curriculum | |
| Year 1 | Advisors develop an educational plan. | Meet Career Services in BUS 101 and begin developing a career plan. | Connect for Success Mentoring: BUS 101. |
| Year 2 | Advisors discuss student career interests and applicable majors and minors. | Career Services works with faculty in BUS 242 to conduct mock interviews with business executives. | Achieving Professional Success: BUS 242.
Learn key business skills and look for a summer internship. |
| Year 3 | Advisors guide students through experiential courses such as IBC or VITA. | Review career plans and resumes, and secure summer internship leading to a job offer. | Experiential course such as Integrated Business Curriculum Program(BUS 330, BUS 360, BUS 390, MGMT 300) or VITA |
| Year 4 | Advisors work with students to ensure coursework and career plans are aligned. | Review career plans including a successful start at a new employer or graduate school. | Capstone Business Seminar: BUS 496. Class competes nationally with 500 other teams in an online simulation. |
Services for Graduate Students
| Academic Advising | Career Services | Curriculum | |
| Academic advisors meet with students to discuss programs and concentrations and to ensure to ensure coursework and career plans are aligned. | Career Services works with students to develop a career plan for the student’s goal: a promotion, a move between companies, or an industry change. Resume review, mock interviews, and job search consultation are available. | The College of Business faculty are constantly working to keep the curriculum up-to-date, aligning our offerings with student interests and industry needs. | |
Alumni of both graduate and undergraduate College of Business degrees enjoy lifetime access to the O’Brien Career center, one of many benefits of being a Leo for Life.
In addition to coordinated advising, career services, and curriculum, entrepreneurially-minded students and community members have access to the La Verne Small Business Development Center, hosted by the College of Business and located on campus. The La Verne SBDC provides no-cost business advising and low-cost training to existing and new businesses.
Although rankings don’t fully capture our culture, our history, or the spirit with which we collaborate every day for the benefit of our students, we are proud to see the results of our efforts reflected in the WSJ and USN rankings.
