In the 2010 edition of America’s Best Colleges by U.S.News & World Report, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is recognized as one of the best institutions of higher learning in the nation. The exclusive rankings, which include more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available at www.usnews.com/colleges. Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the September 2009 issue of U.S.News & World Report, available for newsstand purchase Monday, August 24. The 2010 America's Best Colleges guidebook will be available as of Tuesday, August 25.

SMWC is ranked in the top tier of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges — Midwest category in the publication's compilation of the nation's top colleges and universities. SMWC is ranked 20th (tied) in the category, up from 24th last year.  Among the 45 top-ranked Midwest colleges, SMWC was recognized for having the highest percentage of classes under 20; 93 percent of classes at SMWC have fewer than 20 students. SMWC is also proud to be the only institution in the Best Baccalaureate Colleges — Midwest category where 100 percent of faculty members have full-time status.

“Year after year, SMWC is recognized as one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the Midwest, and that’s something to be proud of,” said David G. Behrs, Ph.D., president of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. “I’m especially proud of our excellent students, faculty and staff because they are the people who make this place what it is – an institution of academic excellence where students engage in leadership and service; stretch their minds through activities in and out of the classroom; and seek for the ways to effect positive changes in our global society.”

Founded in 1840 by Saint Mother Theodore Guerin and the Sisters of Providence, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is the oldest Catholic liberal arts college for women in the United States. Today, SMWC thrives by offering a rich liberal arts education, scholarships and financial aid opportunities to make college affordable, individual attention, a value-centered education in a Catholic tradition, and a wide variety of student leadership activities. Both Princeton Review and U.S.News & World Report consistently rank SMWC as one of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the Midwest.

In these challenging economic times, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College remains committed to providing quality, private college education at an affordable price. Approximately 95% of campus-based undergraduate students at SMWC receive academic or need-based financial aid, and this year alone, the College will grant approximately $3.3 million in institutional aid to students in our campus-based, Woods External Degree (WED) and graduate programs. The College offers merit scholarships for freshmen, transfer and international students; athletic scholarships; visual and performing arts scholarships; Ivy Tech Community College Grants; Graduate Student need-based grants; and Vigo County Catholic Student Scholarships.

Over the past 26 years, the U.S. News college rankings, which groups schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. The America's Best Colleges ranking package, which includes extensive editorial content and multimedia resources, has helped families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process, from college admission and selection to financing options.

The 2010 America's Best Colleges features the established rankings of the Best National Universities, Best Liberal Arts Colleges, and Best Historically Black Colleges, and includes rankings of Best Colleges for Financial Aid, A+ Schools for B Students, and Up-and-Coming Schools. This year, U.S. News has further expanded the ranking categories to also include Best Colleges for Undergraduate Teaching.

In addition to the new list, U.S. News offers an extensive resource of ranking and college information on USNews.com, which hosts the new Advanced Search feature, enabling students and parents to search for colleges based on specific criteria, such as region, cost and financial aid, student body makeup, student activities, sports offered, and more. The site also features additional interactive tools designed to help students and parents navigate through the college selection process, including:                   

• Guide to Admissions: Comprehensive information on the college admissions process.
• College Click Videos: 2,000 videos offering candid advice on over 150 colleges & universities.
• Interactive College Calendar: Provides important regional and nationwide events and deadlines.

The 2010 America’s Best Colleges package provides the most thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of 15 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance (National Universities and Liberal Art Colleges).

For more information about America's Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. To access the Premium Online Edition, go to www.usnews.com/usnews/store/products/college_index.htm.