Samford, other Baptist schools rank among top institutions in nation

Samford University has been ranked as one of the top institutions in the nation by U.S. News & World Report magazine in its 2003 selection of America’s Best Colleges.

Samford ranked fifth in the South in the category, Best Universities — Master’s, which includes schools offering a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs and some doctoral programs. Samford offers 26 degree programs including 18 at the master’s and doctoral levels.

U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a school’s academic reputation, freshman retention rates, faculty resources, class size, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

“It is a very fine recognition of the effort of the faculty and staff and the investment of Baptists in Alabama,” said Samford President Thomas E. Corts. “On such a large scale, considering institutions of all sizes and types, this kind of recognition is difficult to gain.”

Samford has been ranked in the top 10 in its category by U.S. News & World Report since 1990.

Other Baptist schools ranking in this South region of Best Universities — Master’s were Georgia’s Mercer University (tying for eighth), North Carolina’s Meredith College (tying for 11^th) and Tennessee’s Union University (33^rd).

Other Alabama schools making the South lsit were Mobile’s Spring Hill College (tying for 15^th) and Tuskegee University (tying for 23^rd).

Along with the Universities — Master’s category, U.S. News & World Report ranks Best National Universities — Doctoral, Best Liberal Arts Colleges — Bachelor’s and Best Comprehensive Colleges — Bachelor’s.

In the Colleges — Bachelor’s, several Baptist schools were ranked.

In the South region, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas tied for fourth while Georgia’s Shorter College tied for 17^th, North Carolina’s Wingate University ranked 19^th and Louisiana College tied for 20^th. In the West region, Oklahoma Baptist University ranked second.

Another honor given was for “Programs that really work.”

William Jewell College, a Baptist college in Missouri tied for seventh nationally with its program for entering freshmen. This award-winning program at William Jewell was designed by the late Eleanor Foster Terry, who was the wife of The Alabama Baptist Editor Bob Terry and a member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Homewood.

Other Alabama schools recognized were within The Top 50 Public National Universities — Doctoral category. Auburn University tied for 43^rd and the University of Alabama tied for 45^th.