With a new emphasis on student outcomes in its 2025 list of America's Best Colleges, The Wall Street Journal now ranks Adelphi as the top university on Long Island. Numerous initiatives promoting career readiness have propelled Adelphi's rise.
A college is often measured by how well it prepares students for career success.
By that standard, Adelphi is the top college on Long Island according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal—which emphasizes student outcomes like graduating salaries, years to pay off net price and graduation rate in determining its rankings—also considers Adelphi one of the nation’s top institutions, placing the University at No. 112 on its 2025 list of Best Colleges in the U.S.
“Our positive outcomes are a result of a University-wide effort—from our top-notch academic programs and best-in-class student support services to experimental learning opportunities through programs like Jagger Community Fellows,” said Thomas Ward ’93, assistant vice president for career development and strategic partnerships, who leads the University’s Center for Career and Professional Development. “It’s about that holistic approach to student success across the institution.”
Adelphi’s just-released survey of graduating seniors in the Class of 2023 have an average annual salary of $82,539, with 93 percent of respondents having moved into jobs or continuing their education.
Secrets to student success
Thomas Ward ’93, assistant vice president for career development and strategic partnerships, and Husein Ghadiali, a graduate assistant at the Center for Career and Professional Development.
Adelphi’s ranking underscores the impact of the University’s Momentum 2 strategic plan on student success and excellence.
“We really stress that career readiness starts from day one,” Ward said. “Even before students take their first academic class, we’re at Orientation talking to them about who we are, what we do and how they can find the career path that’s best for them.”
Today’s students at Adelphi have access to more career development resources than ever. The Student Affairs Advisory Board recently launched a Career Readiness Boot Camp for students to conduct mock interviews with alumni, take professional photos for their LinkedIn profiles and network with potential employers.
Adelphi also runs multiple career fairs throughout the year, including one specifically geared toward its largest school, the College of Nursing and Public Health.
“Healthcare systems are really looking to hire and engage with our students,” Ward said. “Certainly, the demand is there and, thankfully, the supply is there.” In fact, most graduates end up seeking careers in healthcare, business and education, where there is a great need for skilled professionals.
Additionally, Adelphi recently partnered with Parker Dewey, a company that specializes in micro-internships, to connect students with short-term, paid, experiential learning and résumé-building opportunities in their fields. This can be particularly helpful for working students who may not have the time to commit to a 15-week internship.
A U.S. News & World Report Best Value School and Top Performer on Social Mobility
The successful outcomes of Adelphi students are also recognized by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks Adelphi as a 2025 Best Value School and Top Performer on Social Mobility. The University’s undergraduate programs in nursing and business also climbed in the annual rankings.
Other top publications took notice, too. Adelphi moved up more than 100 spots from last year on the Forbes list of America’s Top Colleges. Similar to The Wall Street Journal, Forbes ranks colleges based on their ability to produce graduates with well-paying jobs and less student debt.
As always, Adelphi will continue to evolve to meet the growing needs of students. This means introducing new experiential learning opportunities and anticipating the influence of emerging technologies on the job market. The next Career Readiness Boot Camp, for example, will include a panel on how AI will impact high-demand fields like healthcare.
“We’re right in the middle of change,” Ward said. “We are, as career counselors, trying to best train and advise our students to be prepared for not only the careers of today, but of tomorrow.”