Westminster Selected as Best Missouri Liberal Arts College and One of the Top Liberal Arts Colleges in the Nation

Westminster College was notified by U.S.News & World Report today that Westminster has been selected as one of the two Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Missouri and one of the top 150 liberal arts colleges in the nation this year.

This represents Westminster’s highest ranking since 2006.

“We are pleased that this national evaluation has recognized the academic excellence students find at Westminster in comparison to many other colleges around the country,” says Westminster President Dr. George B. Forsythe. “Just as we have for over 150 years, we will continue to prepare young men and women for lives of success, to step forward and make a difference in their families, neighbors, organizations and communities.”

Research data available indicates Westminster’s rise in the rankings can be attributed to improved graduation and retention rates over last year. Westminster’s most current retention rate is 83%, which is considered high. More than 70% of Westminster students graduate within four years, compared to 38% of the students at public universities.

Westminster prides itself on helping students achieve successful outcomes. Ninety-six percent of Westminster graduates start their first job or enroll in graduate or professional schools within six months of graduation.

Westminster College is also in known for its diverse student population, which comes from 75 different countries. Sixteen percent of the Westminster student body hails from a different country, which makes the school the top college or university in Missouri for its percentage of international students on campus and in a tie for 5th place among all liberal arts colleges in the nation.

Nationally recognized as a College with a reputation of academic excellence in preparing leaders in a global community, Westminster moved up in the U.S.News rankings five places over last year to tie William Jewel College for 146th place nationally and first among Missouri liberal arts institutions.

Westminster College is one of the select colleges that compete against all liberal arts colleges in the nation in their category. Most colleges and universities are placed in the regional categories of North, South, Midwest and West where they are only ranked in comparison to their peers in the region.

The top four nationally are Williams College (MA), Amherst College (MA), Swarthmore College (PA) and Bowdoin College (ME).

In order to qualify for designation as a national liberal arts college, schools must award at least half of their degrees in the arts and sciences such as English, the biological and physical sciences, history and the visual and performing arts.

Criteria used includes undergraduate academic excellence as determined by college presidents, provosts, admission deans and high school counselors; student retention; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; graduation rate performance; and alumni giving rate.

U.S.News & World Report, a national magazine, evaluates America’s colleges and universities for their academic excellence annually and publishes the findings in the newsstand book “America’s Best Colleges.”

More information on “America’s Best Colleges” can be found at U.S. News & World Report’s website or by purchasing the new edition of “America’s Best Colleges” at a local bookstore or newsstand.