U.S. News Media Group Announces America’s Best Colleges: Harvard, Amherst, and Williams Top 2009 Lists
Washington D.C. -- U.S. News Media Group today announced the 2009 edition of America’s Best Colleges, marking 25 years since its inaugural debut. For the first time in 12 years, Harvard University solely topped the list of Best National Universities, while Amherst College rose to tie with Williams College for Best Liberal Arts College. The exclusive rankings, which will feature two new categories, will be published in the magazine’s September 1 issue, on newsstands Monday, August 25, and available today online at www.usnews.com/colleges.
The U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, have expanded into a multimedia resource for students and parents considering higher education options. By providing timely, relevant, and useful information about the college selection process, the U.S. News Best Colleges package serves as a fundamental resource for those families facing one of the most challenging financial decisions.
"With so many students and families relying on the college rankings for their higher education research, we're always working to find new ways to demystify the college search," said U.S.News & World Report Editor Brian Kelly. "This year, we've included new ranking categories and editorial content that address the most relevant issues to prospective students. We've also developed an interactive student center on USNews.com, which allows students and parents to research their college options through videos, school discussion forums, and expert advice columns."
The 2009 America’s Best Colleges covers the traditional rankings of the past, notably the Best National Universities, Best Liberal Arts Colleges, Best Historically Black Colleges, Best College for Your Buck, and A+ Schools for B Students. In this year’s edition, U.S. News has significantly expanded the ranking categories to include:
• Up-and-Coming Schools" These colleges and universities have recently made striking improvements or innovations, demonstrating their focused effort on improving their performance and looking into the future.
• High School Counselor Picks: High school guidance counselors share their views on undergraduate programs at American colleges and universities, factoring in each school’s academic record, curriculum, faculty, programs, and graduates.
In addition to the new rankings, U.S. News offers a wealth of ranking and college information online – roughly 100,000 searchable pages – at the student center on USNews.com. The site is host to numerous interactive features designed to help students and parents with the college selection process,
including:
• Student Calendar: Visitors can search and add important test and college admission dates.
• Video Gallery: More than 2,000 videos offer candid advice about colleges & universities.
• Video Profiles: 8 Students document their experience throughout the college admissions process.
• School Forums: Students can discuss and share information in each school’s online forum.
• Expert Columns: Admissions experts reveal tips for the application and admissions process.
The 2009 America’s Best Colleges package represents the most comprehensive look at how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).
America’s Best Colleges Rankings 2009
*For full list of rankings, visit www.usnews.com/college
Best National Universities
1. Harvard University (MA)
2. Princeton University (NJ)
3. Yale University (CT)
4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
4. Stanford University (CA)
Best Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Amherst College (MA)
1. Williams College (MA)
3. Swarthmore College (PA)
4. Wellesley College (MA)
5. Middlebury College (VT)
NEW: Up-and-Coming Schools
National Universities
1. George Mason University (VA)
2. Clemson University (SC)
3. University of Southern California
4. Arizona State University
5. University of Maryland - Baltimore County
Liberal Arts Colleges
1. Davidson College (NC)
2. Ursinus College (PA)
3. Furman University (SC)
3. Pitzer College (CA)
5. Berry College (GA)
5. University of N.C. - Asheville
NEW: High School Counselor Rankings
National Universities
1. Harvard University (MA)
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1. Princeton University (NJ)
1. Yale University (CT)
5. Brown University (RI)
5. Columbia University (NY)
5. Cornell University (NY)
5. Stanford University (CA)
Liberal Arts Colleges
1. U.S. Naval Academy (MD)
2. Williams College
3. Harvey Mudd College (CA)
3. U.S. Military Academy (NY)
5. Wellesley College (MA)
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