St. Norbert College among top 10 Catholic Colleges in U.S. News rankings

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From St. Norbert College, September 12, 2012
by Mike Counter, mike.counter@snc.edu, 920-403-3089

The 2013 U.S. News and World Report rankings have just been released and St. Norbert College is once again named one of "America's Best National Liberal Arts Colleges," and is among the top ten Catholic colleges in that category. St. Norbert College remains in the top tier of the list and is at number 138.

"We appreciate this recognition and are proud to be among the nation's best liberal arts colleges," said President Thomas Kunkel. "To be among the top ten Catholic liberal arts colleges is even more gratifying. We are in the company of committed institutions that are proud of our combined traditions. It's our mission to graduate outstanding citizens who make a difference in the lives of others."

For 18 years, U.S. News & World Report ranked St. Norbert College among the top comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. For the last six years the college has been listed among the nation's best liberal arts colleges. The change came following St. Norbert College's reclassification in 2006 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching -- an independent policy and research center that partners with U.S. News & World Report for its rankings.

Several factors help account for the college's ranking. Its freshman retention rate is 83 percent, its graduation rate (70 percent) exceeds by 2 percent the predicted rate (68 percent) based on the college's student body, and 88 percent of the faculty are full-time -- all key criteria in judging schools. Peer assessment, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving are also key factors.
"We continue to build upon the St. Norbert College student experience -- we've enhanced our honors program, expanded our community outreach, and have, with donor support, invested more than $55 million in new or renovated facilities in less than five years." said Kunkel. "Pair that with having the best graduation rate in the state of Wisconsin, and it has led to this year's largest enrollment ever -- in fact, we needed to institute a wait-list due to the robust interest in a St. Norbert degree."

U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" guide can be found online at www.usnews.com. The guidebook will be on newsstands Tuesday, Sept. 18.

St. Norbert is also recognized as one of the Best Midwestern Colleges in the 2012 edition of The Princeton Review; is named as one of the best universities in the nation to learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction; and has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.