SWU named as one of best by U.S. News & World Report
For 2007, Southern Wesleyan University is listed among the best institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs. This is the fifth consecutive year that the magazine has ranked schools in terms of their academic programs.
“We are pleased to once again be listed among the best colleges and universities in the South,” said Southern Wesleyan University President David Spittal. “This ranking is one of several indicators of the impact the university is making both regionally and through its graduates scattered around the world. Our faculty and staff are committed to provide an excellent educational opportunity within the context of a distinctively Christian environment.”
This year, U.S. News ranked more than 1,400 public and private institutions that are liberal arts colleges, comprehensive colleges, national universities and master’s universities. The overall rankings are based upon the following factors, along with the amount of weight U.S. News assigned to each: peer assessment (25 percent); retention (25 percent in master's and comprehensive colleges); faculty resources (20 percent); student selectivity (15 percent); financial resources (10 percent); graduation rate performance (5 percent; only in national universities and liberal arts colleges); and alumni giving rate (5 percent).
In addition to being ranked among the best, Southern Wesleyan University is listed as second-highest proportion (85 percent) of classes with fewer than 20 students, among the master’s-level universities in the South.
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, of which Southern Wesleyan University is a member, saluted its member institutions for their performance in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings.
“We believe that our campuses’ commitment to Christ-centered learning is their highest priority, and it is gratifying to have independent confirmation that educational mission has not be compromised, but rather affirmed by the collective ranking of our members as among America’s ‘best’!” CCCU President Paul Corts said. “While we realize there are concerns about surveys in terms of what they measure and value, it is always good to see members recognized for success and accomplishments.”
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of more than 170 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. The Council's mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.
Southern Wesleyan University is listed as one of the best master’s-level universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report.
To view a document listing the ranking of the Council schools which U.S. News identified, go to www.cccu.org/bestcolleges2007.
U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guidebook will be available at newsstands beginning Aug. 21. Information also is posted at www.usnews.com.
Southern Wesleyan University prepares students for leadership and graduate study in such fields as religion, education, music, business, medicine, law and a variety of civic and social service professions. Southern Wesleyan offers 32 major areas of study for undergraduates and graduate degrees in the areas of business, education and ministry. The university’s main campus is in Central and there are regional learning centers across the state, in locations such as Greenville, Columbia, Charleston and North Augusta.