Shorter College rises three points in annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, makes Top 10 list of ‘Great Schools, Great Prices’ in the South
 
August 20 - With its transition toward university status just nine months away, Shorter College has learned that it is again ranked among the top-tier baccalaureate institutions by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings, available online at www.usnews.com, place Shorter at No. 17 on the list of the South’s top baccalaureate colleges. This is the ninth consecutive year Shorter has been included among the top regional baccalaureate institutions and marks a three-slot rise over last year’s placement.

In addition, Shorter also ranked in the Top Ten among Southern baccalaureate institutions in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” listing done by U.S. News in the magazine’s annual college guide. Shorter came in at No. 7 on the “Great Schools, Great Prices” list, which considers academic quality (as determined by the 2010 U.S. News rankings) and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. “The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal,” according to the magazine.

“A significant factor in the U.S. News rankings is the peer assessment, and we are proud that this ranking affirms the recognition of Shorter as a quality institution by fellow educators,” said Shorter College President Dr. Harold E. Newman. “A lot of Shorter’s strength comes out of the commitment of the institution and of its faculty and staff to developing personal relationships with students. That service mindset, along with our Christian environment, is a hallmark of the Shorter experience, and we believe it can provide a transformational experience for students. We are also happy that the Best Value ranking highlights Shorter’s commitment to providing that high quality educational experience at a reasonable cost. Our faculty and staff work hard to balance the concerns of cost and build our academic reputation, which are of primary importance to parents and students during the college selection process.”

The U.S. News & World Report rankings were first published in 1985 and have been done annually since 1987. They are based on the results of surveys of four-year colleges and universities across the nation. Rankings of quality are based on academic reputation, student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate. The baccalaureate colleges category includes institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs with the liberal arts accounting for less than half of their bachelor’s degrees; these institutions also offer programs in professional fields such as business and education.

Founded in 1873, Shorter College is a Christian college committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges, and The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its lists of best value and best Southeastern colleges. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas, master’s level and undergraduate degree programs for working adults, online courses, and a vibrant intercollegiate athletic program. Shorter will transition to university status June 1, 2010. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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