Hawkeye pride helped push the University of Iowa social media channels into the top spot for social media engagement in higher education for a third consecutive year. This was also the fourth year in a row that Iowa has placed in the top three nationwide.

The rankings come from the 2021 Higher Ed Social Media Engagement Report, which looks at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter data from Division I colleges and universities.

The report then ranks colleges and universities on their engagement and engagement rates. Engagements include measurable interaction on social media posts, including likes, comments, favorites, retweets, shares, and reactions.

Engagement rate is defined as the total engagement divided by the number of followers. Top-ranked colleges and universities on social media have high engagement rates with average or better than average audience size and posting volumes.

“We couldn’t do what we do without a whole team of people who are incredible at their jobs. Also, Hawkeye social media followers love this school, and it shows. We are only further motivated by this accolade,” says Michael Benning, director of digital marketing at Iowa.

The report shows that the UI Facebook page boasts the highest engagement rate in the country. Iowa held that honor in 2018, 2019, and 2020 as well, and also ranked in the top 10 on both Instagram (No. 9) and Twitter (No. 13).

According to the report, “Hawkeye pride is a force to be reckoned with on the playing field, in academic buildings, and on social. In case you’ve been living under a Higher Education social media rock, the University of Iowa is the school to beat thanks to universally stellar engagement rates and totals across all three major social channels, ” continuing, “… the Hawkeyes prove you really can be good at everything if you put your mind to it.”

You can follow the UI on social media @uiowa.

Check out a few of some of Iowa’s higher-performing posts:

Facebook
Hawkeye Facebook followers were very impressed to learn about some of the amazing research taking place at the University of Iowa’s Research Park

Twitter
Many people were very excited about Friends: The Reunion. Hawkeyes were thrilled to hear Calvin Hall was featured in an episode of the original hit series.

Instagram
After persevering through a challenging year, graduating Hawkeyes in the Class of 2021 appreciated these encouraging words.