Knox College has again been ranked among the nation's top colleges, in The Princeton Review's 2014 edition of its annual guidebook The Best 378 Colleges.

The primary factor in selection for The Best 378 Colleges is "outstanding academics," according to Robert Franek, senior vice president of The Princeton Review. Only about 15% of America's 2,500 four-year colleges are profiled in the 2014 edition of the book, published this month by Random House.

"The Princeton Review provides a clear picture of the benefits that draw students to Knox -- outstanding classroom teaching, enhanced through internships, independent research, service projects, study abroad, and other hands-on learning experiences," said Paul Steenis, dean of admission and vice president for enrollment.

"From their first day on campus, students work with faculty advisors to identify educational goals and create a personal educational plan to achieve them," Steenis said. "This includes a broad foundation in the liberal arts and a primary area of specialization, enhanced with learning by doing, which gives students new perspectives when they put knowledge into practice."

Benefits cited in The Princeton Review's survey of Knox students:

• Professors "concentrate on the student having good critical thinking skills"
• "You are academically challenged without fierce competition"
• Knox "values independent initiative", including opportunities for internships, research, and community service
• "Diversity is hugely important here"... "we embrace each other's differences"
• Faculty and administration "encourage students to take charge"