Elmhurst College ranks third in Illinois among colleges and universities that are considered the best investments for underserved students, according to a new study by the Illinois Education Research Council.

The study, “Cornerstones of Student Success: Institutions Yielding High Return on Investment for Underserved Students,” examined 55 four-year colleges and universities in Illinois, including private nonprofit and private for-profit schools.

Study authors Janet Holt and Daniel Duffy analyzed publicly available institutional data on graduation rates, earnings, student loan debt and loan default rates. They then identified the top seven postsecondary institutions in Illinois that help students from traditionally underserved populations—students of color, low-income students and first-generation students—to graduate and gain employment with less debt.

Among the top seven institutions in Illinois, Elmhurst College had the highest six-year graduation rate, as well as the highest graduation rate for African American students.

Elmhurst College is consistently named one of the Midwest’s best values in higher education, offering a strong academic experience at an affordable price, according to well-known rankings such as U.S. News & World Report, Money and Forbes magazines.

As part of its efforts to support first-generation college students, the College recently launched the American Dream Fellowship Competition, a scholarship contest that will award the first-place winner a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to attend Elmhurst. The second-place winner will receive a stipend to cover four years’ room and board.

“We’re pleased by the findings of the Illinois Education Research Council,” said Elmhurst College President Troy D. VanAken. “They reinforce our commitment to serve all of our students, and our strong belief in the power of higher education to change lives.”

• To read the full report, visit Illinois Education Research Council website.