Huntington ranked among top 10 Midwest colleges
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, August 16, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-The 2008 U.S.News & World Report annual collegiate rankings has listed Huntington University as 7th among the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest region. Huntington also appears as No. 5 in the Best Values category for Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest. This ranking is based on the percentage of students receiving need-based grants, the average cost of tuition after receiving those grants and the average discount from the total cost.
For more than a decade, U.S.News & World Report has consistently ranked Huntington among the Midwest's best colleges. The 2008 edition of the magazines' guide to America's Best Colleges marks the 13th consecutive year that Huntington University has been listed among the top-tier schools in the region.
As one of the nation's top-ranked Christian colleges, Huntington offers more than 70 academic programs, including new bachelor's degrees in nursing, Spanish and Spanish education, digital media arts, economics and finance, political studies, social work, sports ministry and worship leadership. Huntington also offers master's degrees in education, counseling and ministry.
"There is a great deal of controversy swirling around the U.S.News & World Report rankings, but it has served as a good benchmark for us," said Dr. Norris Friesen, vice president and dean of the university. "I am pleased that we have surpassed our ranking from the previous year by nine places. These rankings reflect our commitment to providing an outstanding, Christ-centered, liberal arts education. We are excited to see the new programs we have launched mature and are looking forward to offering new majors in nursing and Spanish this fall."
U.S.News & World Report revised its categorization of schools for the 2008 guidebook. In 2007, Huntington was ranked 16th among the Best Comprehensive Colleges in the Midwest.
To rank schools, U.S.News first organizes colleges and universities by category and then ranks them within each group. Rankings are based on a wide range of criteria, including academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, admissions selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.
Several Indiana schools received accolades in the 2008 guidebook. Taylor University was ranked first among the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest region. Following Huntington, Manchester College, Franklin College, St. Mary's-of-the-Woods College, Bethel College, Grace College and Seminary, St. Joseph's College and Tri-State University also were listed in the top tier.
Classes begin for Huntington University students on Aug. 27.
All U.S.News rankings will appear on the magazine's Web site (www.USNews.com). College-bound students can use the site to search for colleges and universities according to their own interests, fill out interactive worksheets and search for scholarship and financial aid information. The America's Best Colleges newsstand book and the weekly edition of U.S.News & World Report magazine (containing many of the rankings) will both go on sale Aug. 20.
