JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 11, 2015 — Union University ranked in the top 15 schools in its category for the sixth straight year and had the highest freshman retention rate in the South, according to the annual rankings of colleges and universities by U.S.News & World Report released Sept. 9.
Union’s ranking of 14th among regional universities in the South’s marks the 19th straight year for Union to be recognized as one of the South’s best universities. A regional university, according to U.S.News & World Report, is one that provides a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s degree programs, while also offering a few doctoral programs.
The category includes 618 universities ranked within four geographic areas – North, South, Midwest and West. Other categories the publication uses are national universities, national liberal arts colleges and regional colleges.
“While we don’t pursue rankings, we are always encouraged when others see the excellence of a Union education,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “Our faculty and staff pursue our mission to the glory of God, and the work they do makes a huge difference in the lives of our students.
“One way you see that demonstrated is in the fact that Union is the top university in the South region in terms of student retention. We are grateful that students love Union and are flourishing here.”
Union’s freshman retention rate of 92 percent was the highest in its category. In addition, Union’s student/faculty ratio of 10:1 was tied for second.
For the eighth straight year, Union was selected as one of 23 “A-Plus Schools for B Students” in the South, a category that highlights those schools where students “with less-than-stellar test scores or a so-so GPA” can flourish.
The full rankings are available at colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges.