U.S. News and World Report released its 2018 rankings today, and Southwestern University ranks among the 100 Best National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Southwestern, which came in at No. 96, is one of 223 National Liberal Arts Colleges, including 213 private and 20 public schools, to make the list. These colleges emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half of their degrees in the arts and sciences.

“Southwestern’s continued recognition is a testament to our integrated educational model that empowers students to make connections across courses and disciplines while preparing them for the types of 21st century thinking that employers and graduate schools value,” says Christine Bowman, Dean of Admission and Enrollment Services at Southwestern. “This, combined with outstanding faculty, supportive alumni, and strong graduation rates allow Southwestern University to be recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in the Country.”

U.S. News and World Report also ranked Southwestern No. 5 in the nation in its Best Colleges for Veterans. To be considered for this ranking, schools must meet the following criteria:

  • The institution is certified for the GI Bill®

  • The institution participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program or is a public school that charges in-state tuition to all out-of-state veterans

  • Must have enrolled a minimum of 20 veterans and active service members, or a critical mass, in the 2016-2017 academic year

  • The institution must be in the top half of its U.S. News ranking category.

[The Department of Veterans Affairs asks that the following notice appear after use of the term “GI Bill”: GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.]

“With many of the largest military bases in the country in our backyard, Southwestern has proudly welcomed veterans and veteran dependents from all branches to our campus.” says Bowman. “Their contributions in our community create a diverse learning experience both in and out of the classroom.  Our veterans have proudly served as campus leaders and innovators all the while preparing for life beyond Southwestern.  Southwestern’s commitment to supporting veterans through our merit scholarship program and our participation in post 9-11 and yellow ribbon programs make Southwestern an affordable educational opportunity for those individuals who have proudly served our country.”

U.S. News and World Report ranks institutions using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, emphasizing graduation and retention rates and other student outcomes. The full rankings can be viewed on the U.S. News and World Report website.