Emmitsburg, Maryland – U.S. News & World Report’s 2014 rankings of the nation’s best colleges were released today, and Mount St. Mary’s University moved up three spots from last year to 20th among 135 institutions categorized in the North region—placing the Mount second among Maryland’s eight other public and private regional universities.
It marks the fourth-straight year Mount St. Mary’s was selected among the North region’s top 25 colleges and universities. The Mount also earned a place in the magazine’s “A-Plus Schools for B Students” category.
“We are honored to be recognized once again as a standout institution in the North region, and we are proud to be part of this select group of schools from across the nation,” said University President Thomas H. Powell. “Rankings like these are the direct result of a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication from our students, faculty and staff, and our unrelenting commitment to providing the very best academic experience.”
U.S. News rankings are based largely on undergraduate academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, assessments from peer institutions, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. This year, the Mount increased in most areas, and its alumni giving ranking was the highest in the region.
“I’m thrilled Mount St. Mary’s continues to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report,” says Michael Post, the Mount’s vice president for enrollment management. “However, visiting a campus and meeting the community that puts the heart of these rankings into action is always the best measure of an institution, so parents and students should use rankings like these as just one of many tools when evaluating colleges.”