Aug. 13, 2010

Webster University Included in Forbes Magazine’s Ranking of America’s Best Colleges

Webster University ranks among America's best colleges, according to a report released Wednesday by Forbes magazine. Now in its third year, the ranking is based on five categories that relate to educational quality and the experiences and achievements of students: student satisfaction, postgraduate success, student debt, four-year graduation rate and competitive awards.

According to Forbes, its ranking of the top undergraduate institutions includes 610 schools, or only 9 percent of the 6,600 accredited postsecondary institutions in the United States. "Appearing on our list at all is an indication that a school meets a high standard," the magazine said. "While other college rankings are based in large part on school reputation as evaluated by college administrators, we focus on factors that directly concern incoming students."

"We are proud to be included in this prestigious group of schools," said Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. "This ranking by Forbes underscores what our students and alumni know – that our focus on global academic excellence and attention to the wide-ranging needs of our students make Webster University an outstanding choice  for students in all the communities we serve."

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is a worldwide institution committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. Founded in 1915, Webster offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs through five schools and colleges, and a global network of more than 100 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education. The University’s Study Abroad programs rank in the top 2 percent of the more than 1,400 colleges and universities surveyed in the "America’s Best Colleges" 2010 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Webster is one of just 34 U.S. institutions to share this distinction. The University’s international presence now includes campuses in London; Vienna; Amsterdam and Leiden, the Netherlands; Shanghai, Shenzhen and Chengdu, China; and Bangkok and Cha-am, Thailand. Webster also has educational partnerships with universities in Mexico and Japan.

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