SMITHFIELD, RI – Bryant University has earned a five-star excellence rating from QS Quacquarelli Systems, a globally recognized university rating system and comprehensive mark of higher education distinction. Bryant is the first higher education institution in Rhode Island to receive the QS’s Stars rating.
The achievement solidifies Bryant’s position as a world-class university and reflects Bryant’s commitment to excellence in several specific categories including teaching, business and management studies, employability, governance and facilities. It also highlights Bryant’s dedication to fostering a strong and supportive community.
"Bryant University’s most recent recognition by QS broadens our reputation for strong student outcomes and the development of confident, purpose-driven leaders,” notes President Ross Gittell, Ph.D. “Our reputation for academic excellence and student achievement is well-established, and as we prepare graduates for success in a rapidly changing global economy, I am proud that Bryant continues to advance its standing on the national and international stage.”
Through bold initiatives outlined in Bryant’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, the university has bolstered its investments in academics, student life, and athletics to educate and inspire students to discover their passion and become innovative leaders with character around the world.
“This recognition from QS underscores Bryant University’s commitment to innovation, where students take on challenges across disciplines and develop solutions that drive real-world impact,” says Bryant University Provost and Chief Academic Officer Rupendra Paliwal, Ph.D. “It is a validation of Bryant’s global leadership and outstanding track record of delivering strong career outcomes.”
Earning five-star rating in the teaching and employability categories, Bryant was recognized for an outstanding 87 percent first-year retention rate and for graduates achieving a 99 percent career or graduate school placement rate within six months post-Commencement, with a return on investment in the top 1 percent nationally.
Also earning top distinction from QS, Bryant’s business and management programs consistently rank among the top 5 percent nationwide. The new Business Entrepreneurship Leadership Center, home to Bryant’s College of Business, enhances experiential learning opportunities and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and corporate partners.
A five-star recognition in the diversity, equity, and inclusion category reflects Bryant's commitment to a sense of belonging on campus. The Intercultural Center and student organizations dedicated to underrepresented groups, coupled with flagship initiatives including 4MILE, the Women’s Summit, and the Day of Understanding, demonstrate the university’s efforts to create an equitable campus for all.
“The QS Star rating highlighted several areas of excellence that are a positive recognition of Bryant’s focus on providing a first-rate student experience and strong sense of community,” says Inge-Lise Ameer, Ed.D., Bryant’s vice president of student affairs, dean of students, and chief diversity officer. “We are proud of this recognition and excited to continue the work of providing a campus environment that brings students together in a way that fosters collaboration, builds connections, and supports their personal growth.”
Bryant’s campus amenities, including athletic facilities, state-of-the-art laboratories, and the Douglas and Judith Krupp Library, also garnered five stars from QS. The 85,000-square-foot Puishys Residence Complex, an innovative housing facility for upper-class students, is slated to open this fall.
Additionally, Bryant earned high marks in QS’s academic development, global engagement, and social impact categories.
About Bryant University
For 160 years, Bryant University has been at the forefront of delivering an exceptional education that anticipates the future and prepares students to be innovative leaders of character in a changing world. The university delivers a uniquely integrated academic and student life experience with nationally recognized academic programs at the intersection of business, liberal arts, and health and behavioral sciences.
Located on a 465-acre contemporary campus in Smithfield, R.I., Bryant enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate and graduate students from 41 states and 50 countries. Bryant is recognized as a top 1% national leader in student education outcomes and ROI and regularly receives high rankings from U.S. News and World Report, Money, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, and College Factual. Bryant.edu
