ELCA colleges rank among the best

Lutheran, The, Nov 1999

ELCA colleges and universities are among the best in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2000 edition of "America's Best Colleges," issued Aug. 30.

The magazine annually ranks colleges and universities according to factors such as academic reputation, retention of students, faculty, financial resources and graduation rate.

When compared with other public and private institutions, 18 of the ELCA's 28 colleges and universities are considered to have high academic standards at affordable costs.

Listed among the best liberal arts colleges are: Augustana, Rock Island, Ill.; Concordia, Moorhead, Minn.; Gettysburg (Pa.); Gustavus Adolphus, St. Peter, Minn.; Luther, Decorah, Iowa; Muhlenberg, Allentown, Pa.; St. Olaf, Northfield, Minn.; Wartburg, Waverly, Iowa; and Wittenberg, Springfield, Ohio.

For the sixth consecutive year, Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa., is ranked first among best regional liberal arts colleges in the North. Other colleges listed in this regional category are: Augustana, Sioux Falls, S.D. (eighth in the Midwest); Augsburg, Minneapolis (21 st in the Midwest); Roanoke, Salem, Va. (fifth in the South); and Texas Lutheran, Seguin (third in the West).

ELCA colleges listed among the best regional liberal arts universities are: California Lutheran, Thousand Oaks (23rd in the West); Capital, Columbus, Ohio (17th in the Midwest); Carthage, Kenosha, Wis. (31 st in the Midwest); Pacific Lutheran, Tacoma, Wash. (seventh in the Midwest); and Wagner, Staten Island, MY (33rd in the North).

Waldorf, Forest City, Iowa, and Suomi, Hancock, Mich., were not rated because they were two-year colleges when the rankings were done.