DATE:Friday, August 18, 2006

MEDIA CONTACT: Melanie McDonald, director of public relations
PHONE: 574-284-4579E-MAIL: mmcdonal@saintmarys.edu

The Distinctive Dozen: Saint Mary’s Tops U.S. News Rankings For 12th Time

NOTRE DAME, Ind.—U.S. News & World Report ranks Saint Mary’s College first among the nation’s 107 Midwest Comprehensive Colleges. The College has earned the number one spot in its category 12 of the last 13 years. Saint Mary’s received an overall score of 100, the highest number possible in the rankings.

The College’s consistent ranking at the top of its category is a result of student selectivity, strong performance in areas such as student graduation and retention rates, and commitment to instruction. Two-thirds of Saint Mary’s first-year students are in the top 25 percent of their class, and the retention rate for those students is high at 85 percent. A large percentage of the College’s faculty are full time, and with a student-faculty ratio of 12-to-1, only two-percent of classes have 50 or more students. Most classes have fewer than 20 students.

“At the risk of sounding like a broken record after so many years at number one, I am honored to lead such a talented, dedicated, and successful group of faculty, students and staff,” says Dr. Carol Ann Mooney, president of Saint Mary’s College. “Research continues to show that women’s colleges are in a league of their own in terms of the education and success of their students. This ranking is one reflection of that.”

The magazine’s annual “America’s Best Colleges” guidebook appears on U.S. News Online (www.usnews.com) today. The magazine hits newsstands Monday, Aug. 21.

Saint Mary’s is a four-year, Catholic women’s college sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s now enrolls nearly 1600 students. Enrollment at Saint Mary’s is growing, and so is the percentage of students from historically underrepresented groups. The College had its most successful fundraising year ever, and is about to break ground on a new academic building.

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REPORTER’S NOTE: President Carol Mooney is available for comment Friday, Aug.18.