Washington Monthly Ranks Westminster Third Nationally in Social Mobility

Westminster College is ranked third in social mobility among the nation's 253 top liberal arts colleges, according to the Washington Monthly 2009 College Guide.

Washington Monthly ranks the nation's colleges and universities on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: Social Mobility (recruiting and graduating low-income students); Research (producing cutting-edge scholarship and PhDs); and Service (encouraging students to give something back to their country through Peace Corps and ROTC service).

In addition to ranking third in the nation in "serving as an engine of social mobility," Westminster was sixth in the overall rankings among Pennsylvania liberal arts colleges - trailing only Haverford, Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore, Bucknell, and Dickinson - and 68th overall in the nation.

"Westminster takes pride in creating and maintaining an environment that provides an exceptional educational experience for our students," Westminster College President Dr. Richard Dorman said. "Our 18,000 alumni are sterling examples of Westminster's ability to help transform lives."

"In our eyes, America's best colleges are those that work hardest to help economically disadvantaged students earn the credentials that the job market demands. They're the institutions that contribute new scientific discoveries and highly trained PhDs. They're the colleges that emphasize the obligations students have to serve their communities and the nation at large," according to Paul Glastris, Washington Monthly College Guide editor.

Visit http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings/liberal_arts_rank.php for more information about the Washington Monthly 2009 College Guide.

About Westminster College...

Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is a top tier liberal arts college and a national leader in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges. Westminster ranked third 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 371 Colleges" and "Best in the Northeast" 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 41 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.