U.S. News & World Report ranks Shorter among best Southern colleges for the fourth consecutive year

For the fourth consecutive year, Shorter College has been ranked among the South's top comprehensive colleges focusing on bachelor's degrees, according to the 2005 "America's Best Colleges" rankings, which were posted Friday, Aug. 20, on the U.S. News & World Report Web site, www.usnews.com. This year's rankings place Shorter at No. 17 on the list. The comprehensive colleges-bachelor's category includes institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in both the liberal arts and the professional fields. Berea College in Kentucky was ranked No. 1.

"The U.S. News & World Report list compares us with our peers in the 12-state Southern region. It's a tribute to the Shorter faculty and students that the rankings continue to recognize the quality on the Hill," said Ed. Schrader, president.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings were first published in 1985 and have been done annually since 1987. They are based on the results of surveys of four-year colleges and universities across the nation. Rankings of quality are based on academic reputation, student retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate.