Samford University ranks sixth in the South among Regional Universities in the 2000 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s selection of "America’s Best Colleges," released Aug. 23. That places Samford in the top 40 of the nation’s 504 Regional Universities.
U.S. News selects the top 10 Regional Universities in four geographical areas—North, South, Midwest and West. Regional Universities are defined as schools that "provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s level programs," according to U.S. News. Samford offers 25 degree programs including 15 at the master’s level and above.
In the same report, Samford is ranked as the 10th "Best Value" among the 123 Regional Universities in the South. The value rankings relate a school’s cost to its quality. "Higher academic quality coupled with lower cost to students equals a better deal," said U.S. News.
Rankings are based on a school’s academic reputation, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate.