October 2, 2015 (Jackson, Miss.) - For the third consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Belhaven University a top regional university in the South on the 2016 Best Colleges list. Belhaven made the list with other prestigious institutions such as Elon University, Rollins College, Union University, Samford University and Belmont University.
Dr. Roger Parrott, President of Belhaven University, said, “We are thrilled to be named a top university in the South. We strive for excellence in higher education and this accolade is a reflection of the efforts of our staff and faculty as well as our students.”
A regional university, according to U.S. News & World Report, is one that provides a full range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The category includes 621 universities ranked with four geographic areas - North, South, Midwest and West.
"Taking into account how well a school supports its students from freshman year through graduation is important," said Brian Kelly, editor and chief content officer at U.S. News. "To find the best fit, students should consider a range of factors, from financial aid offerings and location to campus size and majors. The process can be overwhelming, but our rankings and advice content are a great place to start."
Dr. Parrott adds, “We are excited about all of the national recognition Belhaven University has been receiving. This ranking is great news for us, on top of being recognized as a 2015-2016 College of Distinction, America's 100 Best College Buys, Military Friendly School and many more.”
The U.S. News rankings focus on academic excellence, with schools ranked up to 16 measures of academic quality. The rankings also emphasize outcomes, with graduation and retention rates carrying the most weight in the methodology.