Concordia University, Nebraska – Achieves its Highest Rank in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges

Concordia University, Nebraska (cune.edu) continues its climb up the “Best Regional Universities—Midwest” category of U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings (usnews.com/colleges). In the 2017 edition, Concordia Nebraska is ranked in the top 40 of 163 universities listed in its category, an increase of 14 spots in the last four years. Concordia Nebraska has been ranked in the top tier of the annual report for 14 consecutive years.

For the first time, Concordia University, Nebraska appeared on the Great Schools, Great Prices list compiled by U.S. News & World Report. This list evaluates which schools offer the best value, comparing academic quality to the cost of attendance. Concordia ranked 14 in the Midwest region. In addition, Concordia once again earned a place on the list of A+ Schools for B Students.

“Concordia strives to provide an excellent, Christ-centered education that families can afford,” said Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich, President of Concordia University, Nebraska. “It is an honor to be recognized nationally for both the quality and overall value of our academic programs, students, faculty, staff and alumni that contribute to the Concordia experience here and in life beyond graduation. We celebrate the university’s highest ranking to date and appreciate all who have served diligently to make our top tier ranking a reality.”

Criteria evaluated in the U.S. News rankings include academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity and alumni support.

An institution classified as a regional university provides a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. Concordia Nebraska offers more than 75 undergraduate majors and programs, as well as master’s degrees in multiple areas, including education, public health, human services and business administration. Concordia’s incoming class has 385 undergraduate students registered as of Sept. 7, 2016, leading to a full-time undergraduate enrollment of 1,194 students on the Seward campus. In addition, the university’s College of Graduate Studies and Adult Education has reached 1,020 full-time and part-time adult learners registered for classes as of Aug. 30, 2016.

Concordia Nebraska is the highest ranked higher education institution in the Concordia University System, which comprises nine colleges and universities affiliated with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It is also the highest ranked school in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Finally, the university has the highest alumni giving rate, 21 percent, among the top 50 schools in its U.S. News category.

The Great Schools, Great Prices list takes into account “a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2017 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, and the 2015-2016 net cost of attendance for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.” U.S. News ranked only schools in or near the top half of their categories, considering “the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically.” Concordia University, Nebraska ranked number 14 for the Midwest region.

The A+ Schools for B Students list identifies schools that “admit a meaningful proportion of applicants whose test scores and class standing put them in non-A territory,” according to U.S. News & World Report. The publication says the schools on the list give non-A students a “shot at being accepted and thriving” and encourages students looking at these schools to display their individuality and seriousness of purpose as they apply.

“Honors like the U.S. News & World Report ranking demonstrate that what many students and parents are looking for in a college can easily be found right here at Concordia,” said Aaron Roberts, director of admission at Concordia Nebraska. “Our commitment to providing financial aid to 100 percent of students combined with the quality academic programs and enriching, Christ-centered support that Concordia provides ensures our students get the best value possible from their college experience.”

Complete rankings from U.S. News & World Report are available online at usnews.com/colleges. The print edition of the “Best Colleges 2017” guidebook is now available through retail outlets as well.

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university located in Seward, Nebraska, that currently serves more than 2,600 students. Concordia offers more than 75 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world.

For more information about Concordia University, Nebraska, visit cune.edu.