Westminster College Ranks Fourth in Graduation Rate Performance

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College ranked fourth among top-tier National Liberal Arts Colleges in graduation rate performance, according to the 2014 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.

The Graduation Rate Performance category measures educational outcomes based on the difference between a school's actual graduation rate and the one predicted by U.S. News based on the students' test scores and institutional resources. 

Westminster's 78 percent graduation rate was 15 points higher than predicted and trailed only Virginia Military Institute (+20), Xavier University of Louisiana (+18), and California's Soka University of America, Kentucky's Berea College, Vermont's St. Michael's College, and Purchase College, SUNY (all +16).

U.S. News states graduation rate performance is an indicator of added value and shows the effect of the college's programs and policies on the graduation rate of students after controlling for spending and student characteristics such as test scores and the proportion receiving Pell grants. The college is enhancing achievement if the actual rate is higher than the predicted rate.

"We are committed to providing a rigorous learning experience that provides our students with the intellectual, social, and career skills needed to excel upon graduation. Our goal is to have this occur within a traditional four-year program and it is consistently clear we are succeeding," said Westminster College President Dr. Richard Dorman. "This recognition continues to affirm the quality education and hard work done on a daily basis by Westminster faculty, staff, and students."

The exclusive rankings, which include rankings of nearly 1,800 schools nationwide, are available at www.usnews.com/colleges. This year 238 colleges were included in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category and these institutions emphasize undergraduate education and award at least 50 percent of their degrees in the arts and sciences.

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