Cedarville University’s Industrial and Innovative Design (IID) program may only be a little over six years old, but it is garnering national recognition for its excellence. The program, according to College Values Online, is ranked No. 5 in the nation for its academic excellence and career-earning power.

Georgia Tech University ranked atop the list, followed by Rochester Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, and the University of Houston. Other notable universities include Carnegie Mellon University (No. 6), Purdue University (No. 11), University of Illinois (No. 13) and The Ohio State University (No. 25). Cedarville University is the only Christian university in the top 25.

“We truly believe the students have achieved significant results, and Lord willing, the students can still grow and do even more exceptional work,” – Jim Stevenson, International Center for Creativity president

“Being listed in the company of schools like Carnegie Mellon University and Rochester Institute of Technology is truly humbling for us,” said Jim Stevenson, president of the International Center for Creativity (ICC), which partners with Cedarville to offer the IID program.

The ranking was conducted by awarding points based on four categories: low tuition, high return on investment, a high percentage of students receiving financial aid and academic areas of emphasis offered within the program.

“What makes this program special is the quality of the people involved. We were able to start this program from scratch, just five graduating classes ago, and to see the national recognition in a short period of time is remarkable,” said Stevenson. “The program was designed to deliver relevancy to the marketplace, while delivering exceptional experience to our students.”

When Stevenson and the other founding ICC colleagues, Tom Balliett, ICC CFO, and Jim “JD” Orr, ICC advisory board member, first created the idea for the ICC, they committed to signing off their correspondence with “deo volente,” meaning “God willing,” believing this to be God’s project, not theirs. And so far, God has blessed their faithfulness. “We truly believe the students have achieved significant results, and Lord willing, the students can still grow and do even more exceptional work,” Stevenson added.

Students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree in industrial design at Cedarville University will complete coursework in consumer product design, interior space design, transportation design and architectural and exterior space design before choosing one area for a senior capstone project.