College named in top U.S.News lists
Aug. 17, 2010

LaGrange College continued its streak as a top 10 best college in U.S.News & World Report’s annual evaluation of American colleges and universities. And for the 11th straight year, the college was named a “best value.”

In this year’s rankings, the college placed seventh overall in the magazine’s listing of the South’s “Best Regional Colleges” and was singled out as one of 10 “great schools at a great price” in the 96-school category that stretches over 12 states.

“It is gratifying when the national media recognize the work we do to offer an education at the highest level,” LaGrange College President Dan McAlexander said.

Of particular significance is the institution’s continued designation by U.S.News as a best value.

“For more than a decade, we’ve been recognized for the value of the powerful learning experience offered here,” McAlexander said. “Without a doubt, we are passionate about helping students discover the best of themselves. Our faculty and staff are committed to building learning relationships that transform students’ lives.”

LaGrange also was included on a national list for smallest class sizes, placing at number nine, the highest spot for a Georgia school.

“We believe strongly in the importance of faculty-student relationships,” said Dr. David Garrison, Provost. “Small class sizes nurture those ties and encourage transformative learning.”

For its selection of top colleges, the magazine looks at a number of factors, including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, student-faculty ratio and SAT/ACT scores. In conferring the best value designation, the publication uses a formula that relates a school’s academic quality to its cost of attendance.

A four-year liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church, LaGrange College is an award winner in sustainability and is the oldest private institution of higher learning in Georgia. It has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students.