Knox College ranking in U.S. News & World Report

GALESBURG -- Knox College is again ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the top 100 national liberal arts colleges. The magazine's annual rankings were released August 22 on the magazine's website http://www.usnews.com, in the September 1 edition of the printed magazine, and in a comprehensive guidebook that goes on sale on August 26.

Knox's ranking of 88 among 248 national liberal arts colleges is based on the strong academic quality of the Knox student body, an increase in the retention rate for returning students, and an increase in support from the College's alumni.

"You get a good picture of Knox's strengths when you look at all the numbers together ? top 20 and top 50 national rankings in Forbes, a top 100 ranking in U.S. News, a top 50 ranking in Washington Monthly, plus inclusion in Princeton Review's "Best 368 Colleges" and with the 40 other selective schools in Loren Pope's book 'Colleges That Change Lives'," said Paul Steenis, dean of admission and vice president for enrollment.

Earlier this week, Forbes magazine announced its report on 500 of the nations best colleges and universities, ranking Knox 46th. The Forbes ranking was based on the achievements of students and alumni and the quality of the faculty. U.S. News uses primarily data on the kinds of students seeking admission.

This year's U.S. News data is from 2007, the most recent year for which complete information is available. The data showed that 40% of new Knox students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class, up from 34% the year before.

The academic profile of entering students, measured by ACT scores, also increased in 2007. Knox does not require applicants to submit standardized test scores.

At the same time, the percentage of returning first-year students increased to 89% in 2007 from 88% the year before.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 48 states and 42 nations. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.