Lebanon Valley Ranks in Top 10 by U.S. News for 11th Consecutive Year; Top Three "Great Schools, Great Prices"

ANNVILLE, PA (09/09/2014)(readMedia)-- Lebanon Valley College ranks third in the North in the "Great Schools, Great Prices" category among "Best Regional Colleges" in U.S. News & World Report's 2015 edition of the book "America's Best Colleges." In addition, LVC again ranked sixth overall among the 61 comparative institutions in its North regional category. LVC has placed among the top 10 colleges in this category for all 11 years this list has been compiled.

U.S. News & World Report publishes the best-known ratings of the nation's colleges and universities. The "Great Schools, Great Prices" ranking is based on a calculation that takes into account a school's academic quality, as indicated by its 2015 U.S. News ranking, and the 2013–2014 net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the result is for students.

"I am somewhat a skeptic about the concept of college rankings, but there is no doubt that Lebanon Valley College has always delivered a quality and affordable academic experience as confirmed by these results," said Dr. Lewis E. Thayne, LVC president. "The quality of the customized education we provide to all our students continues to improve and our financial aid program remains one of the best."

Among the 364 total institutions in the U.S. News "Best Regional Colleges" category, Lebanon Valley College ranked in the top one percent for enrolling freshmen from the top 25 percent of their high school class and in the top three percent for average freshmen retention rate (meaning students return for their sophomore year). With 74 percent of its freshmen having ranked among the top 25 percent of their high school class, LVC placed third overall among 364 schools; only the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and Cooper Union had a higher percentage.

LVC's average graduation rate of 73 percent places the College among the top two percent of all 364 colleges and universities in the country within "Best Regional Colleges." Only six institutions had a higher graduation rate.

Approximately 97 percent of LVC students receive grant of scholarship aid from the College. Generous academic scholarships are awarded to students whose high school records demonstrate a commitment to challenge and achievement. Further, LVC's Global Network is more than 16,000 strong and includes alumni in more than 30 countries and all 50 states. The College offers more than 35 majors, as well as self-designed majors and graduate programs in athletic training, business, music education, physical therapy, and science education.