Chapman University rises again in rankings — to #7 in the West

ORANGE, Calif. (Sept. 13, 2011) – Chapman University is again rated as one of the nation’s best colleges, according to the latest rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

Chapman climbed to #7 – the highest ranking in the school’s history – among master’s-level universities in the 15-state Western region in U.S. News’ 2011 rankings of the best colleges in America. The prestigious U.S. News rankings are based on various indicators of academic quality, including student selectivity, freshman retention, graduation rate, financial resources, alumni giving and academic reputation. Significantly, in the area of student selectivity, Chapman has risen from 30th a decade ago to 2nd in the 2006 listings. U.S. News also lists Chapman 15th in the West among its 2006 picks for best-value universities offering master’s programs.

The Princeton Review’s Best 361 Colleges 2006 again listed Chapman University as one of the very select institutions chosen for the guidebook. Last year, Chapman made its debut on the Princeton Review list, which selects only the top 15 percent of the colleges and universities in America. To make its selections, The Princeton Review relies on data and opinions it collects from students, parents, faculty and administrators about academic programs and other offerings.

The Princeton Review’s college ranking lists are based on surveys of more than 110,000 students at the schools in the book who rate their own schools and report on their campus experiences. About Chapman, students commented that the professors are “highly intelligent, passionate, inspiring, and genuinely interested in each and every person,” and that the university’s “global citizenship” emphasis ensures that students interact in substantive ways with their community and the world.

“Inclusion in these respected ratings is very gratifying, because it is evidence that the shared vision of our faculty, administration, staff and supporters is becoming a reality,” said James L. Doti, Chapman president. “The rankings support our commitment to personalized education, and also point to our progress in enhancing the campus itself, with the new Leatherby Libraries and the Oliphant Hall music building among four new buildings opened last year.”

Doti also cited the establishment of 44 endowed chairs and professorships at Chapman since 1993. “Endowed chairs, the highest honor we can bestow on faculty, enable us to recruit and retain educators with exemplary credentials in teaching and research, who by their distinguished scholarship help propel our academic programs to national prominence.” Doti added that another key indicator of success is the fact that the SAT scores of incoming freshmen have risen each year for the past 14 years, with combined scores now standing at an average of 1205.

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