Heidelberg University is ranked among the top colleges and universities in two categories in U.S. News & World Report’s annual national survey. In the rankings released today, Heidelberg is listed in the top tier of among the top regional universities in the Midwest and as a “best value” school based on ratio of quality to price, need-based aid and average discount rate.
University officials say the rankings confirm that Heidelberg’s 168-year tradition of excellence in higher education is strong – and rising.
“In recent years, Heidelberg has taken important steps to become more contemporary and more relevant for our students,” said President Rob Huntington. “We have sharpened our focus on the needs and priorities identified in our Academic Strategic Initiatives for Improvement Plan as we also continue to enhance our co-curricular and extra-curricular offerings and resources to ensure our students are successful.
A combination of innovative, new programs – including the Four-Year Graduation Guarantee, new academic majors, minors and tracks, the HYPE Career Ready® Program and the PlusOne Advantage® Free MBA set Heidelberg apart and give students great opportunities and big advantages to prepare for successful careers and great lives lived purposefully and with distinction, Huntington said.
“We all care more deeply about the personal and professional development of our students than about anything else.”
Heidelberg continues to strengthen its resources for students in the areas of academic advising, mentoring, support and career planning that aim directly at student success and graduation, he added.
Doug Kellar, vice president for enrollment management, said the U.S. News rankings are among the multiple tools that families can utilize as they consider such criteria as cost, financial aid, curriculum, feel of campus life and geographic location – all important factors in the college search process.
The U.S. News 2019 America’s Best Colleges report, released today, uses a set of criteria, including peer assessment, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, alumni giving and financial resources, in ranking colleges and universities. The survey provides a thorough examination of how accredited four-year colleges and universities compare on a set of 16 indicators related to academic excellence. The 600-plus colleges and universities in the “Regional Universities” category are ranked within four geographic regions and then divided into tiers.
This year, Heidelberg was ranked No. 58, up from No. 60 last year, in the top tier in the Midwestern Universities region, which includes institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate programs and several graduate programs. Among Best Value schools, Heidelberg was ranked #30.