(July 25, 2013)

Centenary scores top financial marks in national ranking

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary received an "A" grade for financial fitness in Forbes' annual ranking of "America's Top Colleges" released Wednesday. For the sixth consecutive year, Centenary was named one of the "Best Private Colleges" and "Best Colleges in the South." The College is among the top 13 percent of institutions in the nation and the only school in Louisiana to receive an "A."

"Our recognition in national rankings is a clear demonstration of our long-term sustainability as a selective, residential liberal arts college," said Scott Rawles, Executive Vice President. "Centenary's continued financial strength enables us to fulfill our enduring purpose of transforming lives for the transformation of the world."

Along with Hendrix College, Trinity University, and Sewanee, Centenary joins nine of the sixteen Associated Colleges of the South (ACS) schools in the top 100 of Forbes College Financial Grades. The list measured the fiscal soundness and operational strength of more than 900 four-year private, not-for-profit schools with 500 students or more. Forbes hopes prospective students will use the new ranking to "home in on not just the best schools for the buck but also those that are likely to be around for a while."

The recognition follows a successful fundraising year for the College. Centenary closed out the 2012-13 fiscal year with $6,585,000 in giving, including over $4 million for the Centenary Fund for Student Scholarships. The College's endowment also ranks in the top 50 in the country on a per-student basis.

Forbes used the two most recent fiscal years from the Department of Education, 2011 and 2010, to determine their Financial Grade ranking. Colleges were graded on financial fitness in five areas: balance sheet health, operational soundness, admission yield, freshmen receiving institutional grants, and instructional expenses per full-time student. For more information, visit Behind the Grades.