Goshen College in the third tier of 2008 U.S.News ‘Best Colleges’ rankings; Study abroad program continues to receive acclaim

GOSHEN, Ind. — Goshen College placed in the third tier of the category of “Best Liberal Arts Colleges” for the seventh straight year in the 2008 U.S.News & World Report “America’s Best Colleges” ranking.

The “Liberal Arts Colleges” category, in which Goshen College is ranked with 265 other schools, is defined by the Carnegie Commission as schools emphasizing undergraduate education and awarding at least 50 percent of its degrees in the arts and sciences. Of the schools in this category, most are private institutions.

Chosen from all colleges and universities in the country, Goshen College was listed among 24 schools with outstanding study abroad programs for its 39-year-old Study-Service Term (SST) program. In addition, Goshen was ranked seventh among all colleges and universities for the percentage of students studying abroad, with 85 percent. In 1968, Goshen College was one of the first schools in the United States to include international education as part of its graduation requirements.

“It’s always satisfying to know that Goshen College ranks well against similar institutions and we believe that outside examination is an important part of being accountable to providing the best possible liberal arts education,” said President James E. Brenneman. “We also know that Goshen College offers much more than can be ranked or measured.” The college rankings are based on 15 indicators: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources and class sizes, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

Brenneman added, “We seek to provide not only an outstanding Christ-centered education, but also an outside perspective so that students can become passionate learners, compassionate peacemakers and global citizens who serve others. We also believe we are preparing our students for successful careers and vocations that will allow them to transform lives and change the world.”

Goshen College was included on several select lists of Liberal Arts Colleges. For the second time, Goshen College was named one of 87 Liberal Arts Colleges that are “A+ options for B students” – quality colleges that are respectably ranked and that accept a significant number of students without straight A’s.

In addition, Goshen College made the following lists: top 100 campuses with most international students (with 7 percent); the list of highest proportion of classes under 20 (with 65 percent); a list of campus ethnic diversity (with 6 percent Hispanics); a list of economic diversity among all liberal arts colleges (with 23 percent of students receiving federal Pell Grants); and a list of schools whose freshmen are least (and most) likely to return (at 82 percent).

Many of the rankings and some articles from the “America’s Best Colleges” guidebook appear in the August 27, 2007, weekly issue of U.S.News & World Report that will reach newsstands Aug. 20. All 2008 rankings are available on the magazine’s website at www.usnews.com.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.