National report ranks Samford 4th in South

Samford University in Birmingham ranks fourth in the South among master’s degree institutions, according to the America’s Best Colleges 2007 rankings published by U.S. News & World Report.
  
Samford ranks higher in its peer group, Universities — Master’s (South), than any Alabama university or college in the 2007 selections. The category includes schools offering undergraduate and master’s programs and some doctoral programs.
   
An Alabama Baptist school, Samford has held a steady place in the top seven in this category for the past 17 years, ranking third last year — the highest in Samford history. It also ranks 11th in the Universities — Master’s (South) in the best values category of schools in its peer group, up from 13th last year.
   
“Samford University’s recognition … is a tribute to our world-class faculty and staff, outstanding students and loyal alumni,” said Samford President Andrew Westmoreland. “As the gates of the campus open into the life of our state, citizens are understanding Samford’s central role in building Alabama’s future. We are grateful for the partnership.”
   
The annual rankings are based on a school’s academic reputation, freshman retention rate, graduation rate, class size, student-faculty ratio, percentage of full-time faculty, student selectivity and acceptance rate and percentage of alumni giving.
   
Along with Samford in the top master’s universities were Spring Hill College in Mobile ranked 15th; Tuskegee University tied with two North Carolina schools at 37th; the University of Montevallo finished even with a Florida school at 59th; and Troy University tied with a Kentucky school for 63rd.
   
Focusing on undergraduate education, Stillman College in Tuscaloosa tied for 35th in the South with two North Carolina schools among top comprehensive colleges, while Miles College in Fairfield tied with a South Carolina school for 44th and Oakwood College in Huntsville tied with a North Carolina school for 53rd.
   
Birmingham-Southern College tied with four other schools for 74th place as the only Alabama institution in the top liberal arts colleges category.
   
For more on the U.S. News & World Report study of the nation’s best colleges, visit www.usnews.com. (TAB)