Heidelberg U. again ranks among best colleges
For the 22nd consecutive year, Heidelberg University has received high marks among its peers in U.S.News & World Report’s annual national survey, confirmation that the university continues to provide a quality education to its students.
Heidelberg again appears in the top tier in the “Best Universities – Master’s” category in the Midwest Region. U.S. News’ 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides a thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 indicators of excellence. Among the factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.Across the board, these factors are a positive indication that Heidelberg is living up to its mission to be a student-centered institution that prepares students for lifelong success through its challenging curriculum that integrates liberal arts with professional programs.
Heidelberg President Robert H. Huntington called the rankings “great news.”
“The current economic conditions have complicated families’ decisions about higher education, Huntington said. “Tools like the U.S.News rankings can provide a degree of confidence that parents and students are making an excellent choice in Heidelberg.”
He added that Heidelberg’s commitment to student success is stronger than ever. “The entire campus community has placed emphasis on academic excellence as our top priority. Our faculty and staff come to work every day with this goal in mind. As a result, our university is a welcoming, student-centered place where in-class and out-of-class learning is seamless and continuous, and this is reflected in the rankings.
“For many years, we have effectively integrated liberal arts and professional preparation across disciplines to prepare our students to be global citizens who are successful in their professional lives and in service to others. We continually challenge ourselves in this mission.”
The rankings come at a time when Heidelberg is preparing to welcome a class of freshmen and transfer students numbering over 400. The university’s ability to enroll a class that met its projections indicates that a Heidelberg education is a great value, said Thandabantu Maceo, vice president for enrollment management and marketing.
"Our consistent appearance in U.S.News’ rankings validates our ability to provide today's students and families an affordable private college option while still providing the kind of quality education Heidelberg is known for,” Maceo said. “Ultimately, we seek to provide an educational experience of the highest quality for our students that will help them become successful in their lives."
The 572 colleges and universities in the “Best Universities – Masters” category are ranked within four geographic regions, and then divided into tiers. Heidelberg appears at No. 44 in the top tier in the Midwest.
Founded in 1850, Heidelberg offers a course of study that includes 28 majors and 29 minors, awarding the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, master of arts in counseling, master of arts in education, MBA and its newest graduate degree, the master of arts in music.
Posted on Aug. 21, 2009