SLU listed among the top five Jesuit schools in United StatesST. LOUIS --
U.S. News & World Report once again has recognized Saint Louis University as one of the finest Jesuit, Catholic universities in the United States.
In the 2009 edition of "America's Best Colleges," SLU climbed to No. 80 among the more than 250 national universities in the country -- a list topped by Harvard, Princeton and Yale. The ranking placed SLU among the top five Jesuit universities in the country for the sixth consecutive year.
"With an exceptional combination of Jesuit values, challenging academics and groundbreaking research, it's no surprise that Saint Louis University continues to attract such national attention," said University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J.
SLU's undergraduate programs continue to earn national recognition.Individual programs also made this year's rankings. The University's undergraduate engineering programs -- offered through SLU's Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology -- were named among the top 40 in the nation. Additional rankings for SLU are expected to be included in extended rankings scheduled to be released online tomorrow. The U.S. News rankings come on the heels of another national honor for SLU's undergraduate programs.
In July,
The Princeton Review, a New York-based education services company, recognized SLU as one of the best schools in the country for undergraduate education. Only about 15 percent of America's 2,500 four-year colleges made the 2009 edition of "The Best 368 Colleges."
The top rankings for SLU don't end at the undergraduate level. Earlier this year, U.S. News named SLU's health law program the best in the nation for the fifth year in a row. In its "Best Graduate Schools 2009" issue, the magazine also gave high marks to numerous other graduate programs, including geriatrics, part-time MBA, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
SLU also is recognized as one of the nation's leading education values. Both Barron's Best Buys in College Education and Consumers Digest have recognized SLU as a best buy in higher education. The University strives to keep its nationally recognized education affordable, which is why 97 percent of freshmen receive scholarships.
The U.S. News and Princeton Review rankings come at an exciting time at SLU. This year, the University has enrolled one of its biggest and brightest freshman classes in history, drawing students from all 50 states and more than 80 foreign countries.
This spring, SLU opened the $81 million Chaifetz Arena on campus. This 10,600-seat, multipurpose arena offers the Billikens a true home court advantage and provides a world-class venue for top-notch concerts. The University also recently completed another historic building project: the Edward A. Doisy Research Center. This $82 million, state-of-the-art facility is helping SLU's world-renowned scientists further research discoveries in key areas, such as cancer and aging.
Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,300 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for 190 years.
Mary Finkenkeller, Shelley Frank and Lizzy Kienstra
