Samford University has been named to Forbes’ 2011 ranking of America’s Top Colleges. The ranking includes the top 20 percent of the nation’s undergraduate colleges—650 in all—prepared for Forbes by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) in Washington, D.C.
According to Forbes, the rankings are based on a school’s quality of teaching, great career prospects for its graduates, graduation rates and low levels of debt accumulated by its graduates. Forbes said it also considers a school’s freshman-to-sophomore retention rates, and competitive scholarships and fellowships earned by a school’s graduates.
Samford ranked No. 255 on the Forbes list of the top 650 schools.
"Samford continues to gain recognition from external groups such as Forbes, and these entities endorse the quality and diversity of our academic programs, affordability in these difficult financial times, satisfaction by our students and their families, and the distinctive nature of our institution," said Dr. Phil Kimrey, Samford's vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. "It is our hope the Samford name will have more influence in the years to come by the quality of our students and alumni."
The selection continues Samford’s tradition of quality rankings in national publications. It has been ranked in the top tier of its peer group by the prestigious U.S. News & World Report annual college rankings for more than two decades. It is ranked in the 100 best values among private universities by Kiplinger’s.