Welch College Remains a Top Quality Institution of Higher Learning
Welch College, formerly called Free Will Baptist Bible College, received notification that the institution ranks 35th among “Best Regional Colleges” (South Region) in U.S. News & World Report’s 2012 edition of America’s Best Colleges guidebook. The numerical ranking of 35th in the 2012 South Region indicates a rise of almost 20 places above the 2011 edition ranking of 54th. This year’s higher ranking was driven by excellent faculty/student ratios, higher peer assessment scores, and strong alumni giving. Highlights of college rankings will be published in the September 20, 2011, issue of U.S. News.
President Matt Pinson said, “We are so pleased that Welch College is not only ranked again among America’s best colleges but is moving up in the rankings. This respected national study confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized by the broader academic community as well as our supporters. It’s also another reminder to prospective students and their parents that Welch College remains a top quality institution of higher learning that delivers on their educational investment.”
The “Best Regional Colleges” category where Welch College is ranked includes 371 institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts, and in professional fields such as business, nursing, and education. Colleges in this category are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.
U.S. News rankings offer opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
Welch College received especially high marks in four strategic areas—percent of classes with under 20 students (92%), student/faculty ratio (10/1), freshman retention rate (65%), and graduation rate (48%).
Provost Greg Ketteman said, “I’m delighted to share the good news that for the fifth time Welch College has been included in U.S. News’ list of best colleges. Along with the college’s accreditation reaffirmation this summer, this is a testimony to the hard work our faculty and staff pour into the college. Their commitment to excellence is paying off in national recognition among professional educators that Welch College provides a rigorous collegiate academic setting for serious students. I’m honored to be part of the Welch College team, and I hope every Free Will Baptist student will look at Welch College first when considering a college.”
More information is available about the rankings and methodology in the annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook at: www.usnews.com/collegemeth.
President Matt Pinson said, “We are so pleased that Welch College is not only ranked again among America’s best colleges but is moving up in the rankings. This respected national study confirms that the college’s academic programs are recognized by the broader academic community as well as our supporters. It’s also another reminder to prospective students and their parents that Welch College remains a top quality institution of higher learning that delivers on their educational investment.”
The “Best Regional Colleges” category where Welch College is ranked includes 371 institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts, and in professional fields such as business, nursing, and education. Colleges in this category are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.
U.S. News rankings offer opportunity to judge the relative quality of institutions based on widely accepted indicators of excellence: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and more.
Welch College received especially high marks in four strategic areas—percent of classes with under 20 students (92%), student/faculty ratio (10/1), freshman retention rate (65%), and graduation rate (48%).
Provost Greg Ketteman said, “I’m delighted to share the good news that for the fifth time Welch College has been included in U.S. News’ list of best colleges. Along with the college’s accreditation reaffirmation this summer, this is a testimony to the hard work our faculty and staff pour into the college. Their commitment to excellence is paying off in national recognition among professional educators that Welch College provides a rigorous collegiate academic setting for serious students. I’m honored to be part of the Welch College team, and I hope every Free Will Baptist student will look at Welch College first when considering a college.”
More information is available about the rankings and methodology in the annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook at: www.usnews.com/collegemeth.