Harding University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best universities in the South for the 19th consecutive year. The rankings are in the magazine’s 2013 America’s Best Colleges issue, which hits newsstands Sept. 18.

The University ranked 20th this year, maintaining its position from the 2012 ranking. Harding was the only Arkansas institution included among the top 40 regional universities in the South behind such notable schools as Rollins College, Stetson University and James Madison University.

The report also ranked Harding at No. 5 — maintaining its position from last year — on its “Great Schools, Great Prices” list as a best value among schools in the South.

Harding is included in the Best Regional Universities category, which comprises schools that offer a full range of undergraduate- and master’s-level programs and some doctoral programs. The 625 universities in this category were ranked against their peer groups in one of four geographic regions — North, South, Midwest and West.

The 12 states included in the magazine’s southern region include colleges from West Virginia to Florida and from Arkansas to the East Coast. Harding is the highest-ranked Arkansas school in this category.

“Harding is continually ranked among the South’s most notable colleges,” said Dr. David B. Burks, president of the University. “We are pleased that U.S. News & World Report has once again recognized the quality of the Harding experience for the 19th consecutive year. Our exceptional academic programs continue to rank Harding as one of the best colleges in the nation.”

To determine the rankings, the magazine evaluated universities across the nation in areas such as graduation rate, peer assessment, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving rate.