Ouachita earns national rankings from both U.S. News and Forbes
September 13, 2011 - Trennis Henderson
After four years as the No. 1 Regional College in the South, Ouachita Baptist University
has moved up to a national ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s annual assessment of “America’s Best Colleges.”
“I am so pleased to see that we are one of only six schools to move to the national
category and still be ranked in the top tier,” said Ouachita President Rex Horne.
“After leading our region for years, we are now being recognized nationally. I expect
as we become even better known across the nation that our ranking in the top tier
will rise.”
Ouachita also is ranked nationally among “America’s Top Colleges” by Forbes magazine for the third year in a row. According to Forbes, the annual ranking of the nation’s top undergraduate schools “focuses on the things
that matter the most to students: quality of teaching, great career prospects, graduation
rates and low levels of debt.”
Ranked by U.S. News in the top tier among the Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, Ouachita is one of
only three schools in Arkansas ranked in that category, along with Hendrix College
and Lyon College. Additionally, Ouachita is the only national liberal arts college
in Arkansas to be recognized as an “A+ School for B Students” and the only Arkansas
school in any category recognized for being among colleges and universities with the
least student debt.
Amid “tough economic times” throughout the nation, Dr. Horne affirmed Ouachita’s commitment
to help students graduate with the least debt possible.
According to U.S. News, national liberal arts colleges “emphasize undergraduate education and award at least
half their degrees in the arts and sciences, which include such disciplines as English,
the biological sciences, physics, chemistry, history, political science, foreign languages,
and the visual and performing arts.” Ouachita offers majors in seven academic schools
in the disciplines of business, Christian studies, education, fine arts, humanities,
natural sciences and social sciences.
Ouachita is “known as a strong academic institution in varied disciplines and academic
programs,” President Horne said. “I want to thank our committed faculty, staff and
students for their roles in Ouachita earning this recognition.”
Citing Ouachita’s “A+ School for B Students” ranking, Dr. Horne said, “That means
while holding to high academic standards, we want all students to have an opportunity
to earn a Ouachita education.”
Based on criteria provided by U.S. News, the A+ ranking features universities where B-level incoming students “have a decent
shot at being accepted and thriving—where spirit and hard work could make all the
difference.”
The national recognitions come as Ouachita also is experiencing significant enrollment
growth. Ouachita officials have announced a 6 percent enrollment gain over the previous
year and a 10 percent increase in student enrollment over the past two years. The
university currently has 1,594 students enrolled from more than 30 states and 40 nations.
Ouachita Baptist University, a private Christian liberal arts university in Arkadelphia,
Ark., is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Serving since 1886 as a Christ-centered learning community,
Ouachita seeks to foster a love of God and a love of learning. For more information,
call 1-800-DIAL-OBU or visit the university website at www.obu.edu.
By Trennis Henderson, OBU Vice President for Communications
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