Webster University Continues Decade-Long Record of First-Tier Ranking in U.S. News & World Report's Annual 'America's Best Colleges' Edition

For the second consecutive year, Webster University ranks first in its class in the St. Louis area in U.S. News & World Report's annual "America's Best Colleges" report, which will be published in the magazine's September issue.

Overall, Webster continues as a top-tier institution, ranking 24th among the 142 universities in the Best Regional Universities-Midwest category, a position it has held for two straight years. U.S. News & World Report defines institutions in this category as those that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master's programs, but few doctoral programs. Webster has been ranked a top-tier institution for more than a decade.

The magazine's ranking criteria include peer assessment, average freshman retention rate, average graduation rate, percent of classes with fewer than 20 students, percent of classes with more than 50 students, student/faculty ratio, percent of faculty who are full time, SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rate, percent of freshmen in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class and average alumni giving rate.

"The U.S. News & World Report rankings confirm Webster University's position as an institution focused on excellent teaching and learning experiences for a diverse population of students," said Webster President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. "We are committed to a vision of global academic excellence while meeting the wide-ranging needs of our students in 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 campuses. Its 20,000-plus student population represents almost 150 nationalities. Webster is included in Forbes magazine’s annual ranking of America's 500 best colleges.

Since opening its first campus overseas in Geneva in 1978, Webster has become a recognized leader and innovator in global education, with an international presence that 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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