Westminster College ranked third among National Liberal Arts Colleges in graduation rate performance, according to the 2012 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 79% graduation rate was 13 percent higher than predicted and trailed only Kentucky's Berea College (+16) and North Carolina's Bennett College (+15) among the nation's top 252 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

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.

Westminster was once again recognized as a top tier National Liberal Arts College by U.S. News and ranked tied for 121st overall.

"This recognition is a testament to the great work being done on a daily basis by Westminster students, faculty, and staff," said Westminster College President Dr. Richard Dorman. "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."

The exclusive rankings, which include rankings of more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available here. This year 252 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.

About Westminster College...
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College ranks first in the nation as "Best College for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math," according to Forbes.com. Westminster, a top-tier liberal arts college, ranks third in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Best Colleges guide. Westminster ranked 6th among liberal arts colleges in social mobility, according to the Washington Monthly College Guide, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of "The Best 376 Colleges" by The Princeton Review, and is named to the President's Honor Roll for excellence in service learning.

Nearly 1,600 undergraduate and graduate students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty while choosing from 42 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa., campus. Visit www.westminster.edu/advantage to view "Advantage: Westminster" A Strategic Plan 2010-2020.