Samford Ranked 5th in South by U.S. News & World Report

Samford University once again is ranked as one of the top institutions in the nation by U.S. News & World Report magazine in its 2002 selection of America's Best Colleges.

Samford ranks fifth in the South in the category, Best Universities-Master's, which includes schools offering a full range of undergraduate and master's programs and some doctoral programs. Samford ranked higher in its category than any other Alabama school.

U.S. News rankings are based on a school's academic reputation, freshman retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. Rankings were announced Sept. 6.

"This is an honor, because it is as close as higher education comes to academic league standings," said Samford President Thomas E. Corts.

"College-choosing parents and students look for ways to differentiate and prioritize among colleges," Dr. Corts continued. "This survey is one fact-based attempt at helping. We can be proud that the excellent work of our faculty and University community is so highly valued by experts beyond our own campus."

In addition to the Best Universities-Master's category (the largest group), U.S. News ranks Best National Universities, Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Best Comprehensive Colleges--Bachelor's. Schools are divided into groups reflecting their missions, basically programs they offer as described by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Samford has been ranked in the top 10 in its category by U.S. News since 1990. It also ranked fifth last year after two years of being sixth.