JBU TOPS U.S. NEWS ‘BEST VALUE’ COLLEGE RANKINGS 2013

John Brown University was ranked as No. 1 “Best Value” in the U.S. News and World Report 2013 Best Colleges Edition among its peers in the South.
Overall, JBU was ranked as the No. 2 Best College among the 107 regional colleges in the South. This was the fourth consecutive
time JBU was ranked as a top two college and the ninth consecutive year JBU was in the top 10.
“Since its founding, one of JBU’s core values has been to provide the highest quality education at the most affordable cost, so we’re gratified to see U.S. News recognize the exceptional value of a JBU education,” said Dr. Jim Krall, vice president for advancement. “We are especially grateful to our alumni and friends who have given faithfully year after year to help support affordable tuition for our students.”
Dr. Ed Ericson, vice president for academic affairs, said that JBU’s high graduate rate, smaller class size and high-ranking incoming freshman continue to contribute to JBU’s high ranking by U.S. News. With 69 percent of JBU freshmen in the top 25 percent of their high school class, JBU ranks No. 1 among its peers in attracting top quartile students.
“JBU’s faculty continue to deliver outstanding educational programs for our students. I am proud of the work they do, and the high ranking on the U.S. News Best College list is well deserved,” said Dr. Ericson. “More importantly, our students continue
to impress us with their successes.”
JBU has enjoyed tremendous momentum over the past few years, which has continued to contribute to university’s advancement.
The university will release its highest-ever enrollment figures later this week. The university recently broke ground on $8 million of new construction projects, including the Simmons Great Hall and the Northslope Apartments. Last year, JBU completed its record-breaking $118 million Keeping Faith Campaign, ending with $18 million over the original goal and one year early. Among the many awards students receive, JBU students recently swept the prestigious Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup competition, with its student teams taking first and second place.
Other Arkansas schools also were ranked: Along with No. 2-ranked JBU, University of the Ozarks ranked 9th, Williams Baptist College ranked 55th, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff ranked 72nd, Philander Smith College ranked 79th, and University
of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked in the second tier (82nd to 107th) among the 107 southern regional colleges. Harding
ranked 20th and Henderson State ranked 95th out of 128 in regional universities. Hendrix College ranked 70th, Lyon College ranked 156th, and Ouachita Baptist ranked 170th among 239 national liberal arts colleges. University of Arkansas Fayetteville ranked 134th out of 270 national universities.
John Brown University is a private Christian university, ranked No. 1 Best Value among Southern regional colleges by U.S. News & World Report and is listed as one of America’s Best Colleges by Forbes. JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 40 states and 39 countries. JBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities and a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.