Jersey City, NJ – Today, U.S. News & World Report released its Best Colleges 2011 guide, with Saint Peter’s College ranking first among the private colleges throughout New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area in the Least Debt category, as part of the Regional Universities North division. The College was also ranked first among 159 institutions of higher education in the Racial Diversity category and holds a leading spot for Economic Diversity; the College was also among other New Jersey colleges and universities to be included in the Tier 1 group for best overall institution of higher education.
“I am pleased that U.S. News and World Report has recognized Saint Peter’s College as a leading institution of higher education in these areas,” noted Saint Peter’s College President Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D. “The College prides itself on not only providing a quality, liberal arts, Jesuit education to our culturally rich, dynamic student body – but one that remains affordable to them, as well.”
In the Least Debt category, Saint Peter’s was ranked 27th out of 131 schools listed by U.S. News & World Report; more significantly, among private institutions of higher education in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, this means that Saint Peter’s students have the lowest debt at their time of graduation. The data used to determine this ranking include loans taken out by students from the colleges and financial institutions, as well as from federal, state and local governments.
“Providing maximum financial assistance to undergraduate students is a priority for the College,” said Dr. Cornacchia. “With 97 percent of our in-need students receiving aid, this ranking confirms that the funding we provide is improving the financial health of our graduating seniors, who are in the age group most adversely affected by the economic downturn.”
At Saint Peter’s College, 26.9 percent of the student population is of Hispanic descent, 25 percent of students are African American, 12.1 percent of students are Asian and Pacific Islander, and 0.3 percent is Native American and Alaskan Native. In order to determine the Racial Diversity ranking, U.S. News & World Report examined the colleges and universities where students are most likely to encounter fellow undergraduates from racial or ethnic groups that differ from their own. The total proportion of minority students (excluding international students) and the overall mix of groups are considered in U.S. News & World Report’s calculations.
In the category of Economic Diversity, Saint Peter’s was ranked first among the private colleges and universities in New Jersey, and 18th among the 152 listed in the Regional Universities North division. U.S. News & World Report determines this ranking based on the percentage of undergraduates receiving federal Pell grants.
The Tier One ranking can be viewed online; all other rankings are published in the premium online and printed editions of Best Colleges 2011.
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To get involved, contact Saint Peter’s College Alumni.
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Saint Peter’s College, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment.