Forbes Rates La Verne Among America’s Best Colleges
As part of its effort to provide a true comparison of the country’s top traditional undergraduate schools as viewed from a student perspective, Forbes Magazine ranked the University of La Verne 18th among California colleges and universities and 206th overall in its recently released “America’s Best Colleges 2009.”
The Forbes ratings include institutions of higher education awarding undergraduate degrees or certificates requiring four or more years of study as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Only the top 15 percent – 600 in all – of the more than 4,000 eligible colleges made it to this year’s Forbes list.
“It is extremely rewarding to see Forbes, an internationally respected publication, recognize our university as being among the best in California and the nation,” said University President Steve Morgan. “We have always taken pride in the quality of education we provide and the outstanding accomplishments of our students. While La Verne’s focus on personalized education in a diverse and engaged setting is very attractive to students, its appeal can sometimes elude a broader audience. Forbes’ rankings reflect well on our efforts, both regionally and nationally.”
This year’s Forbes rankings name the U.S. Military Academy as nation’s top undergraduate institution. California Institute of Technology, rated No. 3 nationally, tops the 50 California colleges and universities listed.
La Verne improved by 198 positions over last year’s inaugural Forbes Best Colleges list, the best of any California school included in both the 2008 and ’09 rankings. La Verne also moved past 20 California institutions in comparison to last year’s ratings.
Compilation of the Forbes list is the result of collaboration between the Center for College Affordability and Productivity and Economist Richard Vedder, in cooperation and consultation with the staff at Forbes.
In rating La Verne and the other institutions, the major factors involved include student satisfaction with course instruction, post-graduate employment success, likelihood of four-year graduation, estimated average four-year student loan debt, and student/faculty success in garnering competitive academic and research awards. As detailed in its methodology report, Forbes states that all research involved came from third-party sources, with no data directly contributed by any institutions, taking away the opportunity for any college or university to influence the final results.
According to Forbes, the rankings are based on the quality of the education provided by the schools, the experience of the students and the achievements of students and alumni. In discussions with students and parents, it was discovered that the typical student believes it is important that they feel rewarded by the courses they take.
The complete Forbes 2009 rankings and methodology report are available at www.forbes.com.
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