Webster University’s Study Abroad Programs Receive Special Recognition in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” 2012 Edition

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 14, 2011 – Webster University’s Study Abroad programs rank in the top 2 percent of the 1,600 colleges and universities surveyed in the just-released “America’s Best Colleges” 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Report. Webster is one of just 27 U.S. institutions to share this distinction, which recognizes study abroad programs that involve substantial academic work for credit and considerable interaction between the student and the culture.

Earlier this year, the Institute of International Education’s (IIE) annual Open Doors report ranked Webster fifth among all U.S. master’s degree-granting institutions for study abroad of a semester-long duration, and first in the same category among Midwestern institutions. Webster also is distinguished by its high rate of undergraduate participation in study-abroad programs – 38.6 percent – which far outpaces national average of just below 10 percent.

“In spring 2011 we invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students, and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate up to 10 institutions with stellar examples of study abroad programs,” said the U.S. News report. “Colleges and universities that were mentioned most often are listed here, in alphabetical order.”

In addition to Webster, other schools cited for their excellent study abroad programs include American University, Boston University, Carleton College, Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Duke University, Georgetown University, Middlebury College, New York University and Syracuse University, according to the U.S. News report.

“The U.S. News & World Report rankings are a confirmation of everything that makes Webster University a first-choice institution for students seeking global academic excellence,” said Webster University President Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “The report highlights our longtime and growing commitment to global study and global citizenship, which is recognized throughout the United States and around the world.”

Overall, Webster University continues as a Tier 1 institution, ranking 28th in the “Regional University-Midwest category and, for the third consecutive year, first in its class in the St. Louis area. U.S. News defines institutions in this category as those that provide a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. Nationwide, 575 universities are in the “Regional University” category; 146 of those are in the Midwest region. Webster has been ranked a Tier 1 institution for more than a decade.

Ranking criteria include peer assessment, average freshman retention rate, average graduation rate, percent of classes with fewer than 20 students, percent of classes with more than 50 students, student/faculty ratio, percent of faculty who are full time, SAT and ACT scores, acceptance rate, percent of freshmen in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class and average alumni giving rate.

Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report included Webster’s nursing and nurse anesthesia programs in its annual ranking of the nation’s best graduate schools and programs.

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses. Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional residential campuses in Asia, Europe and North America. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.
 

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