U.S. News Again Lists Centenary College Among South's Top 10 in  "America's Best Colleges" Survey; No. 9 "Best Value"
 

SHREVEPORT, LA -- For the 13th consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report lists Centenary College of Louisiana among "America's Best Colleges."  Again this year Centenary is at No. 10 in the South in the listing of "Best Universities-Master's," formerly called "Regional Colleges and Universities."

In a separate listing of "Great Schools at Great Prices," U.S. News ranked Centenary at No. 9 among the South's "Best Values."  Last year, Centenary was 10th in the overall ranking and sixth in the Best Value list.

Centenary is listed 10th among the Top 33 Southern universities-master's, based on 16 measures of excellence, in the magazine's Sept. 23, 2002 issue and in the 2003 edition of the U.S. News guidebook, America's Best Colleges.  Both will be available on newsstands today (Sept. 16).

To determine rankings, U.S. News & World Report looks at colleges' academic reputation, retention rate, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving. For its "Best Values, " U.S. News relates a school's quality ranking with the net cost to a student who receives the average level of financial aid. 

Centenary President Kenneth L. Schwab said the listing and other national recognition continues to emphasize Centenary's reputation for excellence, an outstanding faculty and staff, a student-centered environment and exceptional financial aid offerings.

Founded in 1825 and the nation's oldest private liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River, Centenary is a selective college that encourages leadership, citizenship and community service. The college offers 45 majors in its Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities divisions. 

Other Louisiana schools named to the top lists for the South were Loyola University, ranked sixth in the "Best Universities-Master's" list, and 12th in the "Best Values" rankings, and Xavier University of Louisiana, ranked 25th in the "Best Universities-Master's" and 29th in the "Best Values" listing. Both are located in New Orleans. 

The following are schools named "Best Values, Universities-Master's, South" by U.S. News:
1. Mississippi University for Women
2. Rollins College (FL)
3. Appalachian State University (NC)
4. University of Richmond (VA)
5. Converse College (SC)
6. Meredith College (NC)
7. Mercer University (GA)
8. Stetson University (FL)
9.CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA
10. Harding University (AR)
11. The Citadel (SC)
12. Loyola University (LA)
13. Samford University (AL)
14. Queens University of Charlotte (NC)
15. Mississippi College
17. Mary Baldwin College (VA)
18. Jacksonville University (FL)
19. Murray State University (KY)
20. Benau University (GA)

The "Best Universities-Master's, South," list follows:
      1. University of Richmond (VA)
      2.  Rollins College (FL)
      3.  James Madison University (VA)
      4.  Stetson University (FL)
      5.  Samford University (AL)
      6.  Loyola University New Orleans
      7.  The Citadel (SC)
      8. (tie) Elon University (NC) 
      8. (tie) Mercer University (GA)
     10. CENTENARY COLLEGE OF LOUISIANA
     11. (tie) Appalachian State University (NC)
     11. (tie) Meredith College (NC)
     13. Converse College (SC)
     14. Wheeling Jesuit University (WV)
     15. (tie) Bellamine University (KY)
     15. (tie)Belmont College (TN)
     15. (tie) Spring Hill College (AL)
     18. (tie) College of Charleston (SC)
     18. (tie) Murray State University (KY)
     20. (tie) Mary Baldwin College (VA)
     20. (tie) Queens University of Charlotte (NC)
     20. (tie) University of North Carolina - Charlotte

- 30 -