Dominican University has broken into the top 20 on the U.S. News & World Report college rankings.
The River Forest university tied for 19th place alongside Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio; Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio; and University of Detroit Mercy in Detroit, Michigan for best Midwest universities.
This was a triumphant return for Dominican, which had a regular spot among the top 20 until a few years ago. Dominican University President Donna Carroll said in a statement that the improved ranking was a collaborative effort.
“Faculty, staff and students did the heavy lifting and a top 20 spot is their just reward. I could not be prouder — and more confident,” she said.
Dominican also came in fifth for Best Value Schools in the Midwest — a ranking that has become more important as tuition costs rise throughout the country.
The Midwest region for college rankings report covers 12 states — Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin — which includes 173 universities. Of those in the top 20, four were located in Illinois, and six made it into the top 50.
Concordia University Chicago, also in River Forest, tied with seven other universities for the 75th spot on the list. It also placed 47th on the Best Value Schools list. Rev. Dr. Daniel Gard, president of the university, said in a statement that he was thrilled with the ranking.
“These distinctions speak to our commitment to providing the best education and overall college experience for our students,” he said.
U.S. News & World Report has released an annual college rankings list since 1985 and surveys each institution’s reputation, retention rates, faculty resources, admission statistics, financial resources, graduation rate, and alumni giving rate to determine each school’s standing. While the system is controversial among many research centers, it is still considered an invaluable guide by many incoming college students.
U.S. News & World Report Best Regional Universities Midwest Top 20
1. Creighton University, Omaha, Neb.
2. Butler University, Indianapolis, Ind.
3. Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
4. Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind.
5. Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio
6. John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
7. Bradley University, Peoria, Ill.
8. Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.
9. University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind.
10. North Central College, Naperville, Ill
11.. Bethel University, St. Paul, Minn.
11. Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Ill.
11. Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, Wis.
11. Rockhurst University, Kansas, Mo.
11. St. Catherine University, St. Paul, Minn.
16. Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn.
17. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Neb.
18. Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, Ohio
19. Dominican University, River Forest, Ill.
19. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio
19. Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio
19. University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, Mich.