Indiana Institutions Tout National Rankings

Press Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is being seen even more by U.S. News and World Report as a place to "keep an eye on." The national news magazine also continues to praise programs at IU's Bloomington campus with special recognition of the Kelley School of Business.

For the eighth consecutive year, the magazine cited IU Bloomington and IUPUI for offering "academic programs that are commonly linked to student success." The Kelley School of Business again was recognized for offering one of the best experiences for undergraduate students, including those aiming to start their own companies.

Overall, U.S. News ranked IU Bloomington 29th among public national research universities, an improvement from 30th last year and 33rd two years ago.

"I'm pleased that Indiana University Bloomington continues to be regarded as one of the nation's leading public universities," said IU Bloomington Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson. "College rankings tell only a small part of the story, and their importance is often overemphasized. But U.S. News performs a service by highlighting programs that are linked to student success, such as our student learning communities, study-abroad opportunities and the emphasis on writing."

For the second year, U.S. News asked college presidents and other administrators which higher education institutions recently had made "striking improvements or innovations." The magazine reported that IUPUI is among 77 colleges and universities that have "recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities." IUPUI was ranked seventh in a separate listing of national universities "to watch," up from 14th a year ago.

"For prospective applicants, we believe the schools on this list offer the reassurance that whatever their historical reputation (or lack of it), they're firmly focused on improving the job they're doing today -- at least in the judgment of their peers," U.S. News editors wrote.

"The U.S. News rankings confirm that IUPUI's bold innovation and commitment to making an impact is recognized nationally. Our talented faculty and staff are leading the nation in programs to support student success and are national leaders in civic engagement, research and learning. They are making an impact every day," Bantz said.

U.S. News ranked the Kelley School as the 12th best in the nation overall (a year ago it was tied for 11th). It continues to be second only to the University of Michigan among undergraduate business programs in the Big Ten and sixth nationally among public universities. The school's overall ranking also places it among the top 2 percent of nationally accredited programs.

"The Kelley School of Business continually strives to enhance the overall student experience. The new living and learning center, our semester-long integrated core experience, career preparation, global immersion programs and a multitude of experiential learning opportunities are but a few of the unique experiences students have at Kelley and IU," said Dan Smith, dean of the Kelley School.

"Kelley students were highly recruited by more than 700 companies last year. Even during these tough economic times, our students had over 9,000 interviews that resulted in an 80 percent job placement rate shortly after graduation," Smith added. "The school continues to attract the world's finest students -- as evidenced by our average SAT score, which has gone up by more than 100 points in the past five years."

The magazine also praised the school's entrepreneurship program led by Donald F. Kuratko, the Jack M. Gill Chair of Entrepreneurship and executive director of its Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. The school's undergraduate offerings in entrepreneurship were ranked fourth overall by U.S. News and continue to be first among public universities.

"Naturally, I am pleased to see Kelley's entrepreneurship program consistently ranked among the top five in the world and sustaining the No. 1 public university ranking. This is a testament to our incredible faculty and innovative students," Kuratko said. "With the unveiling this fall of the Hoosier Hatchery, a business incubator for students -- in addition to our already recognized Spine Sweat Experience senior capstone course -- I believe we will be creating the most significant entrepreneurship model school in the world."

Under the heading "Programs to Look For," U.S. News recognized IU Bloomington and IUPUI for their success in promoting learning communities that build connections among fellow students and between students and professors.

IU Bloomington's study abroad programs were recognized for combining substantive academic work for credit with "considerable interaction with the local culture." IU Bloomington also was cited for programs that make writing a priority at all levels of instruction and across the curriculum.

IUPUI was again cited for its efforts to promote service learning -- the use of volunteering in the community as an educational strategy -- and the quality of its first-year experiences. The campus was noted for building into its curriculum seminars and programs that bring together small groups of students with faculty.

Highlights of the rankings will be published in the Sept. issue of U.S.News, which also will publish its 2009 America's Best Colleges guidebook.

Source: Indiana University

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Press Release

Purdue ranks among nation's top universities
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University ranked 22nd among the nation's public universities and 61st among all universities, according to U.S.News & World Report magazine rankings released Thursday (Aug. 20).

The ranking is a move up from Purdue's ranking of 26th last year. Purdue ranked 61st among all universities, tied with Clemson University, Fordham University, Texas A&M University and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. This also is an improvement for Purdue, which ranked 66th last year.

"These rankings reflect our continued commitment to the student experience. It has been a year since we adopted our New Synergies strategic plan, and these rankings show that it is working," President France A. Córdova said. "We are focusing our efforts on student success, and it is paying off. Students from across the nation and around the world know that when they come to Purdue, they will receive a high quality education due to the outstanding work of our faculty and staff."

Factors that helped Purdue move up in the rankings are higher graduation rates and more classes with fewer students, Córdova said. She also noted that the alumni giving rate increased from 16 percent to 18 percent.

In the "Programs to Look For" category, Purdue is among 14 public and private universities cited for the quality of its internship programs, 24 cited for their first-year experience, and 22 cited for writing in the disciplines.

"It's exciting and rewarding to see that the plans we have put in place to improve the academic experience of our students is being recognized," said Randy Woodson, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost.
"The improved rankings, while gratifying, are not the goal. The goal is to make a difference for students, and the rankings are just a reflection of the fact that we are making strides on that front."

Purdue's College of Engineering tied for ninth nationally among doctoral-granting universities, sharing the spot with Cornell University and University of Texas-Austin. The college also ranked ninth last year.

The Krannert School of Management shared the 21st position with Georgetown University, Pennsylvania State University and University of Washington among doctoral-granting universities. Krannert has consistently been included in the top 25, ranking 17th last year and 21st in 2007.

Specialty programs in both management and engineering also ranked among the top five in several categories.

Among engineering specialties, four Purdue schools placed in the top five nationally: biological/agricultural, No. 2; industrial/manufacturing, No. 3; aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical, No. 4; and civil, tied at No. 5 with Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Purdue's Krannert School had two top five specialty rankings: No. 4 in productions/operations management, and No. 4 in quantitative analysis and methods, tied with University of California-Berkeley.

The data for determining the nation's best institutions of higher education come from questionnaires U.S.News sends to all accredited four-year colleges and universities. The magazine then determines its rankings based on measures that fall into seven broad categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions; retention of students; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; alumni giving; and "graduation rate performance," the difference between the proportion of students expected to graduate and the proportion who actually do.

The magazine bases its specialty rankings on a spring 2009 survey of deans and department heads at peer institutions. The schools receiving the most votes are listed.

Information on the rankings can be found at the U.S.News & World Report Web site at http://www.usnews.com/. The magazine's college guidebook, "America's Best Colleges," contains a directory of the more than 1,400 institutions.

More on Purdue's past U.S.News and other rankings is available online at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/ranking.html.

Source: Purdue Universtiy

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Press Release

For the 11th consecutive year, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has been ranked the number one college or university that offers the bachelor's or master's degree as its top degree in engineering. The ranking is based on a national survey of deans and senior faculty conducted by U.S. News & World Report for its annual college guidebook.

Individual Rose-Hulman engineering departments once again received number-one rankings as well. Those programs are chemical, civil, computer, electrical and mechanical.
Rose-Hulman tied this year for the top spot with Harvey Mudd College of Claremont, Calif.

“This ranking affirms the quality of our faculty, staff, students and alumni,” said Rose-Hulman President Matt Branam. “While we are pleased with the ranking and the recognition from our peers, this ranking is not our guide to achieving our mission of educating the engineering, mathematics and science leaders of the future. We continue our commitment to being a great school. Our goal remains to provide the best education that we can design. We owe it to our students and their families who have put their trust in Rose-Hulman.”

In this year's U.S. News ranking, Rose-Hulman received a 4.5 peer assessment score on a scale of one to five. Harvey Mudd also received a 4.5, Cooper Union in New York a 4.3, the United States Military Academy 4.1, and the United States Naval Academy 4.0.

The overall and specialty rankings are based solely on a spring 2009 peer survey of deans and senior faculty.

The U.S. News & World Report ranking is just one of the recent accolades Rose-Hulman has achieved in guides highlighting select colleges. Rose-Hulman also is in the 2010 version of “The Best 371 Colleges,” published by The Princeton Review, and in the “2010 Fiske Guide to Colleges.”

Branam noted that students should look at a variety of factors when selecting a college, not just the U.S. News & World Report ranking. “This ranking is just one indicator of what makes a college great,” Branam said. “Students should look at the complete package to make sure a college fits their needs and aspirations.”
Details about the U.S. News & World Report 2010 College Guide's ranking of specialized undergraduate engineering institutions can be found at http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/spec-engineering.

Source: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University has claimed the second position in the Master’s Midwest category of the 2010 U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges. This is Butler’s highest ranking since the inception of the survey, and the University’s 21st consecutive year being among the top 10 in this category.

Last year, Butler held the fourth position.

Butler also was recognized in numerous other categories: third in the Midwest for having a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching; third in the Midwest for having made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities; eighth as a best financial value among Midwest Master’s schools; and one of 34 colleges and universities nationwide with an outstanding program for study abroad.

In addition to its overall ranking, Butler also improved in these specific categories:

Overall score – 87, from 85
Average graduation rate - 72 percent, from 71 percent
Percentage of classes under 20 - 56 percent, from 57 percent
Acceptance rate – 72 percent, from 76 percent
Butler continued to maintain a strong freshman-retention rate of 87 percent and a student/faculty ratio of 11/1, which is only shared by one other top 10 Midwest school, Creighton.

“Butler has made great strides toward becoming a university with nationally recognized people and programs,” said President Bobby Fong. “To have your achievements honored by outside sources and your peers is very gratifying.”

To be included in the Master’s category, a university must offer a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and some master’s degree programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs. The 572 universities in this category are ranked in four geographical areas — North, South, Midwest and West. After universities are grouped according to their region, they are then ranked in areas of academic excellence, including peer assessment, freshman retention, graduation rate, student/faculty ratio, acceptance rate and alumni-giving rate.

The schools ranked in the top 10 Master’s Midwest category are: Creighton, Butler, Drake, Xavier, Valparaiso, Bradley, John Carroll, Truman State, Hamline and University of Evansville.

About Butler University

Challenging and enabling students to meet their personal and professional goals has guided Butler University since 1855. Today, Butler is a nationally recognized comprehensive university that blends the liberal arts with first-rate pre-professional programs. It seeks to prepare each graduate not simply to make a living but to make a life of purpose, in which personal flourishing is intertwined with the welfare of others. Butler is known for its vibrant campus, superior academics and dedicated faculty. The University enrolls more than 4,400 undergraduate and graduate students in five academic colleges: Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Fine Arts. Located just six miles from downtown Indianapolis, Butler’s urban setting affords students internship opportunities that provide excellent graduate school and career preparation.

Source: Butler University

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Press Release

Upland, Ind. – Taylor University has been named the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest in the newly-released 2010 U.S.News & World Report survey, America's Best Colleges. It is Taylor's third straight top ranking and follows ten straight top-three finishes.

Taylor earned 100 rating points while second-place Ohio Northern University received 90 points. Augustana (South Dakota) was third with 83 points. Dordt College and Northwestern College (both in Iowa) rounded out the top five with a fifth-place tie, scoring 82 points.

Among the Midwest Best Baccalaureate Colleges, Taylor was ranked first for peer assessment, average freshman retention rate and average graduation rate. Taylor also earned number two ranking for its ability to attract freshmen in the top 25% of their high school class and third for average alumni giving.

Taylor was honored in two additional America’s Best Colleges categories. Taylor finished second in the Midwest in one grouping, A Strong Commitment to Teaching. The list consisted of 80 colleges and universities throughout the United States who, according to the editors, “were singled out most often when experts were asked to identify schools where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching.” A second category, Great Schools, Great Prices, ranked Taylor fourth – also in the Midwest.

“Taylor University's third consecutive number one ranking in the latest U.S.News survey is a wonderful blessing and recognition of the efforts of the broader Taylor University community as well as the efficacy of our educational mission," said Dr. Eugene B. Habecker, Taylor president. "This honor is a tribute to the many Taylor faculty members, students, staff, trustees, friends, alumni, parents and so many others who for 163 years have worked diligently to develop a culture of excellence even as they have embraced the connection between faith and learning in the context of whole-person education. The only appropriate response to this exciting news is praise and thanksgiving to God."

"We are also grateful to the editors of U.S.News, a respected publication that for a quarter century has set the standard for collegiate ranking surveys," he added.

“It is gratifying to see Taylor in the number one position, but we don’t take it for granted,” said Mark D. Taylor, President/CEO of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., and chairman of Taylor’s Board of Trustees. “Our administrative staff and faculty work hard every single day to ensure that we maintain a level of excellence in all the areas that make a great university.”

A complete list of the U.S. News and World Report rankings is available online at www.usnews.com.

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2010 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's third straight top ranking following ten straight years of being ranked in the region's Top Three.

Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Source: Taylor University

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Press Release

At a time when an affordable, quality college degree is more valuable than ever, Manchester College stands in the spotlight of the leading guide for college-bound students.

For the 15th consecutive year, Manchester is one of “America’s Best Colleges” of U.S. News & World Report, ranked 18th among Midwest baccalaureate colleges and universities. The 2010 edition also applauds Manchester with sixth place in its “Great Schools, Great Prices” Midwest rankings.

“The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal,” reports U.S. News. “We work on the premise that the most significant values are among colleges that are above average academically.”

The Princeton Review college guide also includes Manchester among its “2010 Best in the Midwest,” also with high praise for its academic environment and affordability.

“We appreciate the recognition these college guides give to our commitment to make a Manchester College education affordable to students,” said President Jo Young Switzer. “Despite the economy, we will not compromise our mission to graduate persons of ability and conviction.” The independent northern Indiana college anticipates a 35-year record enrollment of 1,200 students when classes begin Sept. 2.

New initiatives by Manchester will keep the northern Indiana college in the forefront of high-quality, affordable higher education, Switzer said. This year, the College is awarding more than $1.1 million in additional financial aid to about half of its students to help bridge the gap created by the State of Indiana’s last-minute cut in financial aid.

The College has received national attention for its Fast Forward three-year degree that reduces college bills and gets graduates into their careers quicker. For more about Fast Forward and the College’s Triple Guarantee of financial aid, a degree in four years and a job or graduate school after graduation, visit www.manchester.edu.

U.S News & World Report applied 15 indicators of academic excellence, including data and peer reviews in its survey of 1,477 colleges and universities for its “2010 America’s Best Colleges” guide. For more about the rankings, visit www.usnews.com.

Source: Manchester College

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Press Release

August 20, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—For the third year in a row, U.S. News & World Report ranks Saint Mary's College as one of the nation’s “Best Liberal Arts Colleges.” Saint Mary's comes in at 97 out of the 249 schools listed in the magazine’s “2010 America’s Best Colleges” guidebook, which comes out on Tuesday, August 25. Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September 2009 issue of U.S. News & World Report, available at newsstands on Monday, August 24. The rankings were posted today on the magazine’s Web site.

Saint Mary's College President Carol Ann Mooney set a goal early in her presidency, which began in June 2004, to move Saint Mary’s into the national liberal arts rankings. A national standing for a third consecutive year indicates Saint Mary’s is on course to meet a key goal in the College’s Strategic Plan, which is to provide “Educational Excellence Equal to that of the Best Colleges in the Country.”

“It is wonderful to be nationally recognized for the academic excellence at Saint Mary's College. We know that prospective students and their parents put value on these rankings and we are very pleased to be listed in the top 100 liberal arts colleges,” Mooney said.

Last month the Princeton Review rated Saint Mary’s College as one of the best colleges in the Midwest. The College has held the “Best in the Midwest” designation every year since the Princeton Review began the “Best Regional College” categorizations seven years ago.

College-bound students and their parents look to rankings and other indicators of quality when making their decisions about college. U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review, along with other resources such as the University and College Accountability Network (UCAN) and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE –selections of which are also posted on the U.S. News & World Report Web site), enable them to garner information about Saint Mary’s and other institutions.

About Saint Mary’s College:
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary's College ranks among the nation's top 100 liberal arts colleges in U.S. News & World Report's 2010 annual survey. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

Source: St. Mary's College

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Press Release

MISHAWAKA, IND., Aug. 20, 2009 – Bethel earned the 20th spot among the Midwest’s Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the 2010 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” by U.S. News Media Group. In the Midwest category there are 94 schools. Nationally there are 319 schools in this category and overall Bethel came in at 37 putting it in the top 12% of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges.

The 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides a list of more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 indicators. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).

The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today at www.usnews.com/colleges. They will also be published in the September issue of the “U.S. News & World Report” magazine today.

Bethel College is an accredited Christian college of the arts and sciences offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in more than 50 areas of study. The current enrollment of more than 2,000 includes students from 34 states and Puerto Rico, 20 countries, more than 25 denominations and 16 percent from culturally diverse backgrounds. Scholarships are available based upon a variety of factors including academic achievement, talent in the arts or athletics, ethnicity and church affiliation. In addition to its beautifully wooded 75-acre main campus in Mishawaka, Ind., Bethel also offers specific academic programs at sites in Elkhart, Ind., Fort Wayne, Ind., Dowagiac, Mich., and St. Joseph, Mich. Nursing programs are also offered in cooperation with Grace College in Winona Lake, Ind.

Source: Bethel College

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Press Release

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is being seen even more by U.S. News and World Report as a place to "keep an eye on.” The listing is part of the national magazine's 2010 America’s Best Colleges Rankings.

For the second year, U.S. News asked college presidents and other administrators which higher education institutions had made "striking improvements or innovations.” The magazine reported that IUPUI is among 77 colleges and universities that were singled out as schools that have recently made the "most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students,campus, or facilities."

IUPUI was ranked against other national universities that were among the 77 colleges and universities. IUPUI was ranked seventh among national universities "to watch," up from 14th a year ago.

U.S. News editors wrote they began asking the question because college rankings don’t vary much from one year to the next. So how was it possible to "identify colleges and universities that have recently made striking improvements or innovations – schools everyone should be watching ?”

According to the editors, colleges and universities in the “Keep an Eye on These Schools” category “may not be at the top on the rankings (yet), but they’re leading the pack in improvements and innovative changes.”

IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz said the magazine's report reinforces what many on his campus and elsewhere already know.

"The U.S. News rankings confirm that IUPUI's bold innovation and commitment to making an impact is recognized nationally. Our talented faculty and staff are leading the nation in programs to support student success and are national leaders in civic engagement, research, and learning. They are making an impact every day," Bantz said.

The national news magazine again cited IUPUI for offering three programs that are commonly linked to student success: service learning, first-year experience and learning communities.

They are among eight programs the magazine identified, with the help of education experts, as programs to look for. College presidents, chief academic officers and deans of admissions then were asked to nominate up to 10 institutions with “stellar” examples of each kind of program. Programs cited by the magazine are the ones mentioned most.

Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September 2009 issue of U.S.News & World Report, available for newsstand purchase Monday, August 24. The 2010 America's Best Colleges guidebook will be available as of Tuesday, August 25.

Source: IUPUI

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Press Release

The University of Evansville is once again among the Top 10 Master’s-granting institutions in the Midwest, one of the two best values in the region, and ranks among the most “committed to teaching.”

In U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best Colleges” issue, which will hit newsstands Monday, the University of Evansville gained ground in both the Best Value and Best Master’s-granting Universities/Midwest categories, while also landing at #6 on the new listing of Midwest universities showing a “Strong Commitment to Teaching.” The University ranked #10 among all Master’s-granting institutions in the Midwest – up from #11 last year – and was named the #2 Best Value in the Midwest, up from #3 in 2008.

The rankings are an indication of UE’s academic quality, reputation, and reasonable cost of attendance.

“At the University of Evansville, we are constantly striving to provide our students with the best academic available,” said UE President Stephen Jennings. “Being listed among the Top 10 Master’s-granting institutions in the Midwest is an indication that we are succeeding in that goal, while our ranking among the region’s Best Value institutions shows that we are providing that life-transforming educational experience at an affordable cost for our students.

“And, of course, being listed among the Midwest institutions most dedicated to teaching is at testament to our incredible faculty, who earn this distinction day-in and day-out through their commitment to preparing every student to engage the world as informed, ethical, and productive citizens.”

Joining UE in the Top 10 of Master’s-granting institutions in the Midwest are schools like Xavier University, Butler University, Valparaiso University, and – at #1 – Creighton University.

Only Creighton University outranked UE among the region’s Best Values.

Overall, 142 universities in 12 Master’s-granting universities in the Midwest were ranked on the list. The University of Evansville was the only Southwestern Indiana institution to make the top tier.

“Ranking where we did in each category, among 142 eligible institutions, is just one of the many indicators confirming our success in maintaining the highest academic quality at the University of Evansville,” Jennings said.

Selection on the U.S.News & World Report list is based upon six key measures of academic quality. Included among those measures are assessment by administrators at peer institutions, student graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving.

The rankings are designed to help prospective students and parents evaluate their college choices. The listings include more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools.

The “Best Colleges” rankings are available online today at www.usnews.com/colleges, and will be published in the U.S.News & World Report’s September issue, available on newsstands Monday, August 24.

Source: University of Evansville

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Press Release

U.S. News and World Report has again ranked Anderson University among the best universities in the Midwest offering master’s level degree programs. Institutions in this category offer a full range of both undergraduate and master’s level degree programs. The magazine’s 2010 guide to “America’s Best Colleges” marks the sixth consecutive year that Anderson University has been listed among the best in its class.

"We are pleased to be listed among the top schools in our category,” said Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University. “Universities that are achieving their mission especially in these very challenging times deserve this recognition and we are proud to be among them. When a student finds the right college of quality that is an excellent fit in terms of culture, programs and degrees, and overall mission, the future opens in such powerful ways, and for that student, the selected school is the best in the nation. We intend to be such a school for so many.”

The 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).

Over the past 26 years, the U.S. News college rankings, which groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. The America's Best Colleges ranking package, which includes extensive editorial content and multimedia resources, has helped families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process, from college admission and selection to financing options.

The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available today at www.usnews.com/colleges, will also be published in the September issue of the U.S.News & World Report magazine, on newsstands starting August 20.

Anderson University is a private Christian university of 2,700 undergraduate and graduate students in central Indiana. Anderson continues to be recognized as a top Christian college. U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Anderson University among the best colleges and universities in the Midwest for the sixth consecutive year. Established in 1917 by the Church of God, Anderson University offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, education, music, nursing and theology.

Source: Anderson University

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Press Reease

Valparaiso University continues to be identified as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report magazine in its annual rankings, and has received additional recognition for its outstanding teaching, educational value and excellent engineering program.

The University has been identified as one of the Midwest's top-ranked, master's-level universities for the 21st consecutive year, earning a No. 5 ranking in quality. Valpo also was cited for possessing faculty devoted to excellence in undergraduate education, ranking No. 3 in the Midwest on a list of institutions distinguished by "A Strong Commitment to Teaching."

The rankings appear in the current issue of U.S. News & World Report, which goes on sale at newsstands Thursday, Aug. 20, and the book "America's Best Colleges."

Among specialty programs, Valpo's College of Engineering continues to be recognized as one of the nation's best engineering programs. Based on a survey of engineering deans and faculty members from throughout the country, the College of Engineering tied for 26th in the nation among nearly 180 schools where the highest degree awarded is a bachelor's or master's degree.

Sharing that ranking with Valpo were The Citadel, Gonzaga and Loyola Marymount universities, Miami University-Oxford, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and the University of San Diego.

Institutional rankings are compiled in a variety of categories according to mission and geographical region. Valpo is ranked among Midwestern universities that offer a full range of undergraduate and master's level programs. The magazine determines quality based on an evaluation of 15 "indicators of academic excellence" and an opinion survey of college and university academic leaders, and then ranks the schools in each of four geographic regions.

Valpo ranked third in the quality rankings a year ago and has ranked in the top five in quality every year since 1990.

For the second consecutive year, Valpo ranked No. 3 in the magazine's best-value category relating a school's academic quality to its price. The University has been ranked in the top four in value among Midwest institutions in 14 of the 15 years since the ratings were initiated.

Valpo also ranked No. 5 on the magazine's list of "A+ Schools for B Students," highlighting schools that "aren't household names but have first-rate programs and strong reputations."

Data published in the rankings show Valpo ranks especially high in the graduation rate of its students. The University also ranked third in "peer assessment," which is determined by a survey of university presidents, provosts and deans of admission.

President Mark A. Heckler said the U.S. News rankings are just one of many indicators of an institution's success, but that they provide confirmation Valpo is distinguished by a highly respected academic program that provides outstanding value to students and their parents.

"Valpo's place among the nation's most outstanding universities ever since U.S. News initiated its rankings illustrates the strength of our academic programs," Heckler said. "Students and parents know that Valpo offers a compelling educational experience, both inside and outside of the classroom.

"It is especially gratifying to see Valpo's strong commitment to teaching recognized, because one of the distinguishing features of our University is how deeply faculty members care about preparing their students for success in life."

Source: Valparaiso University