September 14, 2018 (Jackson, Miss.) - U.S. News & World Report released their 2019 Best Colleges list and awarded Belhaven University a top ranking for best regional university in the South. This is the fifth time the University was recognized for its excellence in higher education, and its ranking was significantly higher this year.
“We are thrilled to be named a top university in the South,” said Belhaven University President Dr. Roger Parrott. “I'm pleased that many important college rankings, includingU.S. News,Colleges of Distinction,Best Christian Colleges and Universities, Military Friendlyand others have recognized the significance of a Belhaven education. It affirms what we already know about the quality of our students and faculty.”
Belhaven's ranking moved up 13 spots, and improvements were noted in almost every category. U.S. News highlighted the University's improvements in its overall score, graduation rate, peer assessment and first year retention, faculty-to-student ratio, ACT scores of accepted students, and alumni giving.
This year, Belhaven was included on a list of distinguished universities that include Samford University, Berry College, Belmont University, Stetson University, and James Madison University.
Dr. Parrott attributes much of the University's success to the faculty and said, “We continue to be recognized for our quality, but the most significant work I see our faculty doing is not reported on a score card. They are deeply invested in the success of our students, and I'm amazed at the extent of their effort to assure that each student is pushed to their potential, and supported by God-honoring grace.”
A regional university, according toU.S. News & World Report, is one that provides a full range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The category includes 621 universities ranked with four geographic areas - North, South, Midwest and West.
The U.S. News rankings focus on academic excellence, with schools ranked up to 16 measures of academic quality. The rankings also emphasize outcomes, with graduation and retention rates carrying the most weight in the methodology.