This Learn More, Earn More, Spend Less model is just the latest in a long history of innovation and educational excellence at Hiram.
In 1934, Hiram was one of the only institutions in the country to offer its courses in a one-at-a-time format, every seven weeks. In 1994, after many years on the quarter calendar, it redesigned the 15-week semester into 12/3 format that exists today, bringing back that opportunity for intensive study. Students take three classes in the fall and spring 12-week term, enjoy a short break, and then enroll in a single course to study exclusively for the last three weeks of the semester. On other fronts, in 1977, Hiram established its Weekend College for adults, the first of its kind in Ohio and one of the first across the Midwest. And most recently, Hiram has earned national acclaim for its New Liberal Arts, which adds career-oriented majors to its liberal arts offerings, provides an immersive first-year experience, delivers a broad array of hands-on learning experiences, and teaches students how to use technology in academically and personally purposeful ways.
These latest changes have been strongly supported by Hiram alumni, trustees, and friends. Just last year, in 2018-19, Hiram College logged in its most successful fundraising year in the College’s 170-year history—raising almost 10.3 million dollars. The people who make these gifts to Hiram tell us, “Keep growing, keep educating, keep serving students like you did for us!” This new tuition model will pave the ways for today’s students to walk a similar pathway to success.
Hiram is constantly seeking ways to better serve its students. As mentioned above, we have a rich history of graduating students who contribute to society in important ways, prosper in their careers, and become lifelong learners. It is our responsibility to meet those students’ needs however we can – and this model continues to deliver what they need, when they need it, and at a price they can understand and afford.
The 2019 edition of Washington Monthly’s College Guide and Rankings has listed Hiram College as number four in the country among colleges and universities that award bachelor’s degrees almost exclusively. Rankings consist of three equally weighted portions: social mobility, research, and promoting public service. To be considered a top-ranked institution, colleges must be excellent across all measures rather than excelling in just one. Hiram’s new tuition model makes this nationally recognized education better accessible to more students.
Hiram was also just ranked number 14 among Midwest Regional Colleges in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The Midwest Regional category includes institutions from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Additionally, the College ranked fifth among Midwest Regional Colleges for social mobility, a ranking that measures graduation rates of Pell-awarded students and sixth for Best Value, a category that looks at both academic quality and cost of education.