Archdiocese Catholic Colleges make national waves

Baltimore’s Loyola University Maryland, the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and Emmitsburg’s Mount St. Mary’s University are cited in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” issue.

The magazine ranked Loyola third among regional universities in the North in its 2011 survey. Loyola has ranked among the Top 10 institutions in its category for more than a decade.

Loyola was also included in three additional categories: “Up-and-Comers,” “Great Schools at Great Prices,” and “A+ Schools for B Students.”

Loyola was fifth in the “Up-and-Comers” category and was cited for its innovations. The school was ranked 12th in “Great Schools at Great Prices.” The school said magazine considers the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

Only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included because the survey assumes that the most significant values occur at schools that are above average academically.

“A+ Schools for B Students” did not have numerical rankings.

“I am delighted to see Loyola rank so highly among a list of truly exceptional institutions,” said Jesuit Father Brian F. Linnane, president of Loyola. “I am also very pleased to see the ambitious initiatives we’ve pursued in recent years recognized by our peers. We are always striving to enhance our students’ experience at Loyola – in the classroom, through service to their communities, in the unique learning opportunities we provide through internships and international study, and through our athletics programs. It is gratifying to see this commitment recognized by fellow educators.”

Neighboring Notre Dame placed at No. 14 in the best value category in the North. The college rose one spot from last year to No. 29 spot in the North. The school was recognized within the category for its low faculty-to-student ratio, with 85 percent of classes containing fewer than 20 students.

“We are proud that College of Notre Dame is once again recognized as a great school at a great price, offering the highest quality academic experience to our students,” said Mary Pat Seurkamp, president of Notre Dame. “Our small class sizes and low (12-to-one) faculty-to-student ratio allow students to have personal interaction with their instructors and each other, providing an engaging and supportive learning environment.”

Mount St. Mary’s University moved up four slots in the rankings of the best universities in the country for the North Region to rank 22nd.

“What’s notable is our leap from 26th to 22nd in the rankings in the U.S. News and World Report’s list. As a Catholic university to be among the elite schools in the Northeast speaks well of our ability to offer excellence in higher education,” said Mount president Thomas H. Powell. More than 1,400 schools nationwide were included in the rankings by U.S. News and World Report. The lists can be viewed at usnews.com/colleges. The magazine’s September edition was slated to hit newsstands Aug. 20.