North Park University among Top 50 Midwest Universities in U.S. News and World Report Rankings

North Park University moved up in this year's "Best Colleges" rankings.

University improves ranking, looks forward to Johnson Center groundbreaking

CHICAGO (September 13, 2012) — North Park University is among the top 50 best Midwest regional universities in U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 edition of its annual "Best Colleges" rankings. The University tied four other Midwest schools for 49^th among 112 regional universities, improving its 58^th ranking on the magazine’s list in 2011.

"Rankings are helpful for families, and yet they often do not paint the full picture of a university," said Dr. David Parkyn, president of North Park University. "In our case, we are pleased to see North Park move up in the rankings because we believe this reflects a quality institution, and recognizes the significant improvements we continue to make."

On October 26, the University will break ground for construction of the 101,000-square-foot Nancy and G. Timothy Johnson Center for Science and Community Life, a significant step to enhance academic excellence and student life. "We are excited to develop this new center for science and community life as part of our commitment to a great learning and living environment for our students. This and other improvements continue to show North Park University as a world-class university in a world-class city," Parkyn added.

To evaluate regional universities, U.S. News and World Report applied quality measures such as peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. Data was collected this spring and summer, the magazine reported. Beginning in 1983, U.S. News and World Report has published annual rankings of colleges and universities nationwide. Nearly 1,400 accredited schools were included in this year's survey.

North Park University, founded in 1891, prepares students for lives of significance and service, expressed through three core values: distinctively Christian, intentionally urban, and purposefully multicultural. Courses are offered at North Park’s four campuses throughout northeastern Illinois, including the main Chicago campus, plus satellite campuses in Arlington Heights, Grayslake, and Waukegan.

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