Best in the Midwest

Taylor University celebrates the top regional college ranking after being named number one college in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report.

America’s Best Colleges, a survey pulled together by U.S. News and World Report, uses institutional data—including graduation and retention rates, peer assessment of excellence, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving—to rank colleges throughout the United States in a variety of categories. In the Best Regional Colleges—Midwest category, Taylor ties Calvin College for the number one spot.

The recent survey ranks Taylor as first in retention rate, predicted graduation rate, and actual graduation rates among the Midwest regional colleges. Other categories that influenced Taylor’s ranking include Taylor’s peer assessment scores (as assessed by administrators of other colleges), its ability to attract students from the top 25 percent of their high school graduation classes, and the alumni giving rate.

“America’s Best Colleges is among the most widely used and highly regarded surveys gauging the effectiveness and value of college education in America today,” said Taylor’s President, Dr. Paul Lowell Haines. “The U.S. News ranking is a qualitative and impartial survey that recognizes, in our case, the tradition of excellence which is embedded in the Taylor University culture.”

With a 22-year legacy of being the region’s top three in America’s Best Colleges, this year marks the 11th year in the past 12 years where Taylor has been recognized as the top college in the Midwest or shared that title. Taylor took several other titles in U.S. News companion surveys, including Best Value—Regional Colleges Midwest, Most Innovative Schools—Regional Colleges Midwest, and Undergraduate Teaching—Regional Colleges Midwest.

The long-standing tradition and recognition of excellence encourages President Haines for the future of the university and its alumni.

“Taylor has historically been able to attract students who are among our nation’s best and brightest—young men and women who are serious about their academics and serious about their faith. Once here, those students are mentored by some of the finest faculty in the country—98 percent of whom hold terminal degrees in their respective disciplines. These students not only thrive in the classroom and social settings, but also graduate and go on to impact the world in the fields of education, business, law, medicine, ministry, government, social services, the fine arts, and a whole host of other professional endeavors.”

Haines reminds the Taylor community that this recognition is shared among all of the current students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and friends of the university and thanks everyone for the continued efforts to make Taylor an innovative, best value, and top college in the Midwest.

We would like to invite you to learn more about Taylor by visiting our campus or requesting more information about our outstanding academic programs.