For immediate release: Aug. 18, 2010

BLOOMSBURG — Bloomsburg University is once again listed as one of the best universities in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report's annual ranking of U.S. colleges and universities.

In data released this week, U.S. News lists BU as number 88 of the Best Regional Universities for the northern region in a tie with Georgian Court University, N.J., and Keene State College, N.H. Additionally, Bloomsburg is 25th among public universities in the north and fourth among institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).

Best Regional Universities ranks institutions that offer a full range of undergraduate degrees and some master's degree programs but few, if any, doctoral degrees.

BU's consistent 80 percent retention rate (percentage of freshmen who return to school) matches several colleges that earned higher overall ratings, such as Hood College, Mount St. Mary’s University and St. Bonaventure University. Bloomsburg’s graduation rate of 64 percent matches Millersville University, ranked 18th among public universities and the top PASSHE institution in overall rating at number 67.

With 94 percent full-time faculty, BU matches East Stroudsburg University and is surpassed by just six institutions in the northern region: Lock Haven University, 98 percent; Husson University in Maine, 97 percent; College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 97 percent; Kutztown University, 97 percent; and Slippery Rock and Edinboro universities, both 95 percent. Bloomsburg also rates favorably among public universities in the percentage of alumni who make financial donations to their alma mater, 11 percent.

Five hundred seventy-two universities are included in the Best Regional Universities rankings. Highlights of the college rankings will be published in U.S. News and World Report's September issue and the America's Best Colleges guidebook.

Bloomsburg University is one of 14 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The university serves approximately 9,000 students, offering comprehensive programs of study in the colleges of Education, Business, Liberal Arts and Science and Technology.