William Peace University, (http://www.peace.edu/) a private four-year university located in downtown Raleigh, is proud to announce that it has been named among the most successful colleges for graduating low-income black students, according to a recent news article written by Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Ivory A. Toldson, Ph.D. The article, which was published by The Root Magazine, a publication that focuses on black news, opinion, politics and culture, praises WPU, along with 22 other higher education institutions, including five HBCUs, for having “shown great success at graduating more than 50 percent of their black students without a lot of fanfare or high-priced tuitions.”

As of 2014, the University student population closely matches the last measured [2011] race and ethnicity census for North Carolina. Toldson, who cites the latest Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), used the following criteria to compile his list of schools: 4-year institution, a black student enrollment that is more than 249, more than 50 percent Pell-eligible students, and a graduation rate for black students that is 50 percent or greater.

William Peace University’s primary motives are to help students afford tuition at a private university and obtain the best education possible despite economic conditions. Every student is automatically considered for merit and need-based aid (with a submitted FAFSA), and the institution also offers academic awards for the performing arts, community service, leadership, extracurricular activities, and more. Through a combination of financial aid packaging, pursuit of scholarship and grant opportunities, and on-campus work-study jobs, the University works to make its educational program available to all qualified students, regardless of financial need.

“As an institution, we operate under three guiding principles: accessibility, affordability, and accountability,” said Debra M. Townsley, Ph.D., President of William Peace University. “We believe that everyone should have access to a quality education. We thank Dr. Toldson for shedding light on this data because it is important to know.”

To view the latest IPEDS report, visit: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/.

For the latest news and updates on William Peace University, please visit: http://www.peace.edu/news/.