Welch College received notification that it ranks 31st among “Best Regional Colleges” (South Region) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 edition of America’s Best Colleges guidebook according to President Matt Pinson.
“We are so pleased that Welch College is not only ranked among America’s best colleges but is moving up in the rankings,” President Pinson said. “This respected national study confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized by the broader academic community as well as our supporters. It’s also another reminder to prospective students and their parents that Welch College remains a top-quality institution of higher learning that delivers its educational promise.”
The “Best Regional Colleges” category where Welch College is ranked includes 334 institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts, and in professional fields such as business, nursing, and education. Colleges in this category are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.
U.S. News rankings offer opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
Welch College received especially high marks in three strategic areas—percent of classes under 20 students (89%), average first-year retention rate (69%), and freshmen in top 25% of high school class (52%).
Provost Greg Ketteman said, “This marks the tenth time that Welch College has been included in U.S. News’ list of best colleges. This is a testimony to the hard work our faculty and staff pour into our students. Their commitment to excellence is paying off in national recognition among professional educators that Welch provides a rigorous collegiate academic setting for serious students. Our goal is to create a stimulating learning environment where education is more than books and classes. We are truly a community of faith and learning.”
Please go to this link if you would like to read more about Welch’s ranking. http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/free-will-college-30018