Northwestern ranked among best Midwestern Christian colleges

Northwestern College is ranked sixth in Christian Universities Online’s list of the 25 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the Midwest for 2017.

The ranking, available online at http://www.christianuniversitiesonline.org/25-best-christian-colleges-and-universities-in-the-midwest-2017, highlights institutions that excel in a number of categories, including personal attention to students, selectivity, financial aid and student satisfaction. The regional ranking was made in conjunction with the 2017 listing of the 50 top Christian colleges and universities in the United States, taking into account that geography can be a crucial factor in deciding on a college.

Northwestern College was the highest ranked college in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska or South Dakota. Among the other colleges ranked were Dordt College, seventh; Bethel University, 11th; and the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, 20th.

“We are pleased to have received this high ranking among our closest peer institutions,” says Mark Bloemendaal, dean of enrollment and marketing. “To be recognized for the strength of our academic, residential and spiritual life programs is confirmation of the dedication of all Northwestern College employees to fulfilling our mission as a Christian academic community preparing students to follow Christ and pursue God’s redemptive work in his world.”

The Christian Universities Online ranking highlights Northwestern’s student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1 and retention rate of 82 percent.

Northwestern has also been ranked 37th on another list by Christian Universities Online: the Top 50 Christian Colleges and Universities Exceeding Expectations. This ranking is based on how well colleges and universities prepare their students for success after graduation, either for employment or graduate school. The ranking compares the difference between anticipated graduation rates and the actual rates of graduation from member institutions of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities or member-eligible schools.

Christian Universities Online is an independent online resource that provides rankings and reviews of the best Christian colleges and universities; information about scholarships and financial aid; and other resources for prospective students and their families interested in Christian higher education.