U.S. News names LaGrange to top 10, ‘best value’ lists
August 18, 2006
In its annual rankings of American colleges and universities, U.S. News & World Report has once again singled out LaGrange College as one of the 10 best schools in its category and as a “best value.”
Featured in the magazine’s listing of 106 “Southern comprehensive colleges,” LaGrange was ranked seventh overall for the third consecutive year, and, for the seventh straight year, was granted “best value” status.
“It’s satisfying to see that others believe we are succeeding in our mission,” said LaGrange College President Stuart Gulley. “Our faculty, staff and administration have worked diligently to ensure we offer great value and the highest caliber education.
“This ranking also is a positive reflection of the merit of the students who earn their degrees here.”
This year’s special issue of the magazine also designates LaGrange College as one of seven schools in its category with the highest percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students. Eighty-six percent of LaGrange’s classes meet that criterion; the school’s student/faculty ratio is 10-to-1.
“We’re proud of our small classes and low student/faculty ratio,” Gulley said. “The personal learning environment we offer is a hallmark of a LaGrange education.”
This fall, the College is expecting an uptick in enrollment, with much of the growth coming from the establishment of a football team, which kicks off its inaugural season Sept. 2. Though the student body will increase in size, Gulley said the College’s priorities will remain the same.
“We’ll have growth, but it will be managed growth,” Gulley said, “and we will maintain our commitment to providing a campus atmosphere rich in student/faculty interaction.”
This year’s U.S. News rankings examined more than 1,400 American colleges and universities. To confer the “best value” designation, the magazine uses a formula that relates a school’s academic quality to its cost of attendance. For its selection of top 10 schools, U.S. News looks at factors such as retention rates, peer assessments, SAT/ACT scores and graduation rates.
