Concordia was one of 10 Midwest baccalaureate schools to be named to U.S. News & World Report's 2009 "Great Schools, Great Prices" rankings released today. Concordia also moved to No. 18, up one spot, in the overall rankings of the Midwest baccalaureate institutions, remaining the highest ranked school in Nebraska in this category. The "Great Schools, Great Prices" category recognizes the value of the overall education at those schools ranked above average academically with a large percentage of their student body receiving need-based aid.
"Concordia has always strived to offer an excellent education in a supportive, Christ-centered community at a cost within reach of those pursuing a degree," said Dr. Jenny Mueller-Roebke, provost of the university. "We are excited and honored that the value of a Concordia education has been nationally recognized."
Based on the first tier ranking and an overall score of 64, Concordia also compares well to schools in other categories and regions. Concordia Nebraska is the top-ranked school in the Concordia University System and placed third among the members of the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
"We are thrilled that again this year Concordia is listed as one of the top baccalaureate universities in the Midwest. We also celebrate our 'Great Schools, Great Prices' listing," said Rev. Dr. Brian L. Friedrich, president of Concordia. "Such rankings do not just happen. They are the result of God's abundant blessings, the visionary leadership of our Board of Regents, the excellence of our faculty, the phenomenal financial support of our alumni and friends and the dedication and hard work of our staff. These rankings reinforce the great value and benefit of a Lutheran Christian higher education at Concordia University, Nebraska."
Criteria evaluated in the rankings included academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity and alumni support.
While placed in the baccalaureate category based on the overall percentage and number of graduates in programs offered, Concordia also offers master's degrees. The university recently opened a new classroom site in Lincoln located a few minutes from downtown in the Fallbrook neighborhood. Graduate-level classes, a degree completion program and workshops are offered there.
Complete rankings are available online at www.usnews.com/colleges and will be published in the magazine's Sept. 1 issue, on newsstands Monday, Aug. 25.