For the second year in a row, Belmont University ranked No. 5 in the U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best southern universities, tying with Florida’s Stetson University for the position and coming in just behind Samford University in Alabama.
Belmont received high marks in specialized categories as well, including a second place tie with Rollins College among schools with the best undergraduate teaching, another fifth place tie with Stetson among best colleges for veterans and a second place award among most innovative schools.
“As the highest ranked Tennessee institution in our category, we have so much to celebrate. We are continually recognized for our high graduation rate, excellence in teaching and low student to teacher ratio. All of these things are a reflection of a University committed to a quality experience, and we are here because of you,” Belmont President Bob Fisher wrote in an email to students and faculty.
U.S. News & World Report uses undergraduate academic reputation, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate reports to determine school rankings.
“As we celebrate our 125th year and look back on our institution’s ‘belief in something greater,’ we are grateful for the work of those who have come before us. It’s time to be proud of what we’ve achieved and continue dreaming for the future,” Fisher said.
Belmont neighbor Lipscomb University ranked 18th among southern universities, while Vanderbilt University was ranked 15th on the Best National Universities list.