U.S. News Ranks McKendree Among Top Regional Universities for 2012
Lebanon, Ill. — U.S. News and World Report’s 2012 “Best Colleges” edition rates McKendree
University’s overall score in the top 25 percent of all 626 participating institutions
in the Regional Universities category nationwide.
Ranked at No. 44 of 146 Best Regional Universities in the Midwest, McKendree is listed
ahead of all other comparable St. Louis area institutions but one.
This year is the first time McKendree is included in the Best Regional Universities
category (rather than Best Regional Colleges) to more accurately reflect its description.
U.S. News defines Regional Universities as offering a broad scope of undergraduate
degrees and some master’s degree programs. Schools are rated against their peer group
in the North, South, West or Midwest because they generally draw most students from
within their own region.
“We’re proud to be recognized in this category along with other fine universities
such as Creighton, Butler, Drake, Valparaiso and Xavier,” said Dr. James Dennis, McKendree
University president. ”These results affirm our belief that McKendree offers a high
quality education compared to many other institutions in our region, including some
that are considerably larger.”
The 2012 U.S. News Best Colleges guidebook examines how accredited four-year institutions
nationwide compare among up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among
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 and alumni giving.
Over the past two decades, the U.S. News rankings have become a comprehensive tool
for students and their parents in their search for the right college or university.
U.S. News has made some significant changes to its Best Colleges methodology and presentation
for 2012. Ranking categories have been updated and for-profit institutions are included
for the first time. Colleges and universities are sorted into their appropriate ranking
categories according to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s
Basic Classification, a system used extensively by higher education researchers and
the U.S. Department of Education.
The exclusive rankings are available online Sept. 13 at usnews.com/colleges, and will
be published in U.S. News & World Report, on newsstands Sept. 20.
McKendree University is also listed as a College of Distinction, one of “America’s
100 Best College Buys,” and a G.I. Jobs magazine “Military Friendly School” for 2012.
To learn more about McKendree University, visit the website mckendree.edu.
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