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ELCA NEWS SERVICE

September 29, 2000

ELCA COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES RANK AMONG U.S. BEST
00-226-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Colleges and universities of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) rank among the best in the United
States, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2001 edition of
"America's Best Colleges," issued Sept. 11. When compared with other
public and private institutions, 26 of the ELCA's 28 colleges and
universities are considered to have high academic standards at
affordable costs.
     For seven consecutive years Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove,
Pa., has ranked first among the best regional liberal arts colleges in
the North.
     "We are delighted that Susquehanna has been recognized again this
year in this manner," said Sara Kirkland, acting president of
Susquehanna.
     "It really is a tribute to the faculty, staff, students, alumni
and friends of the university who all contribute to its success.  I
would note also that there are many other excellent institutions beyond
these rankings, and students and their families should not rely too
heavily on these lists.  A campus visit is still the best way to
determine whether a college is the right fit with a student's
interests," she said.
     Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas, is ranked as one of the
best liberal arts colleges in the West.
     "We are pleased that the outstanding quality and value of a Texas
Lutheran University education continues to be recognized by U.S. News
and World Report and our peer institutions," said Dr. Jon N. Moline,
president of the university.  "Texas Lutheran University is committed to
maintaining an average class size of under 25 students, attracting a
diverse student body, and hiring and retaining highly-qualified faculty
committed to teaching.  Caring for the students as individuals and yet
challenging them to reach their fullest potential is central to our
campus culture," he said.
     U.S. News and World Report ranks colleges and universities
according to their academic reputation, retention of students, faculty
resources, selection of students, financial resources, alumni giving and
graduation rate performance (the difference between the proportion of
students scheduled to graduate and the proportion that actually does).
According to the magazine, the indicators include input measures that
reflect the quality of students, faculty and other resources, and
outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job.
     ELCA colleges and universities were listed among U.S. News and
World Report's
"America's Best Colleges" and other rankings:
+ Best national liberal arts colleges, second tier:
     Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa. --- www.gettysburg.edu
     Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. --- www.gac.edu
     Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. --- www.muhlberg.edu
     St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn. --- www.stolaf.edu
+ Best national liberal arts colleges, third tier:
     Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill. --- www.augustana.edu
     Luther College, Decorah, Iowa --- www.luther.edu
     Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio --- www.wittenberg.edu
+ Best national liberal arts colleges, fourth tier:
     Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. --- www.cord.edu
     Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa --- www.wartburg.edu
+ Best regional colleges, North:
     Wagner College, Staten Island, N.Y. --- www.wagner.edu
+ Best regional universities, Midwest:
     Capital University, Columbus, Ohio --- www.capital.edu
     Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis. --- www.carthage.edu
+ Best regional universities, West:
     California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif. ---
www.clunet.edu
+ Best regional colleges, South, second tier:
     Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C. --- www.lrc.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts university, North:
     Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. --- www.susqu.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, South:
     Roanoke College, Salem, Va. --- www.roanoke.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, South, second tier:
     Newberry College, Newberry, S.C. --- www.newberry.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, Midwest:
     Augsburg College, Minneapolis --- www.augsburg.edu
     Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. --- www.augie.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, Midwest, second tier:
     Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan. --- www.bethanylb.edu
     Dana College, Blair, Neb. --- www.dana.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, North, second tier:
     Thiel College, Greenville, Pa. --- www.thiel.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts colleges, Midwest, third tier:
     Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa --- www.gvc.edu
     Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb. --- www.mlc.edu
+ Best regional liberal arts universities, West:
     Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas --- www.txlutheran.edu
+ Great schools at great prices, national liberal arts universities,
West:
     Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash. --- www.plu.edu
+ Great schools at great prices, regional liberal arts colleges, North:
     Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, Pa. --- www.susqu.edu
+ Great schools at great prices, regional liberal arts colleges,
Midwest:
     Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. --- www.augie.edu
+ Great schools at great prices, regional liberal arts colleges, West:
     Texas Lutheran University, Sequin, Texas --- www.txlutheran.edu
+ National liberal arts college, most debt load:
     Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn. --- www.cord.edu
+ Regional liberal arts colleges, most debt load, North, Midwest, West:
     Thiel College, Greenville, Pa. --- www.thiel.edu
     Augsburg College, Minneapolis --- www.augsburg.edu
     Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, Texas --- www.txlutheran.edu
+ Regional liberal arts college, least debt load, Midwest:
     Grand View College, Des Moines, Iowa --- www.gvc.edu

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html