Jersey City, N.J. – U.S. News & World Report recently released its Best Colleges 2012 guide, with Saint Peter’s College ranking first in Campus Ethnic Diversity in the Regional Universities North division. In addition, the College holds the top spot among New Jersey institutions in the Need-Based Aid category and was ranked as one of the most affordable institutions in the North for Least Debt. Saint Peter’s also ranked third among private institutions in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area in the Economic Diversity category and remained in the Tier 1 group for best overall institutions of higher education.
“Once again we are pleased that Saint Peter’s College has been acknowledged as a quality institution of higher education,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s College. “This recognition is a tribute to our outstanding faculty, staff, administrators and alumni. Their skills, support and commitment to the Jesuit College of New Jersey affirms and enhances our dedication to providing an excellent education to our students.”
To determine the Campus Ethnic Diversity ranking, U.S. News & World Report identifies colleges where students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from racial or ethnic groups different from their own, factoring in the total proportion of minority students, excluding international students, and the overall mix of groups. At Saint Peter’s College, 27.8 percent of the student population is of Hispanic descent, 26.6 percent of students are African American, 11.8 percent of students are Asian/Pacific Islander and 0.3 percent is Native American/Alaskan Native.
The institutions listed at the top of the Average Amount of Need-Based Aid Awarded category handed out the largest need-based financial aid packages, on average, during the 2010-2011 school year. While, according to the Least Debt, Class of 2010 category, Saint Peter’s is an affordable institution, meaning that Saint Peter’s students have some of 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.
In the category of Economic Diversity, Saint Peter’s was ranked third among the private colleges and universities in New Jersey. U.S. News & World Report determines this ranking based on the percentage of undergraduates receiving federal Pell grants.
Contact:
Sarah Malinowski
(201) 761-6239