Release embargoed until 12:01 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2005
Contact: Melanie McDonald, director of public relations, 574-284-4579

Still #1: Saint Mary's College earns top "U.S. News" ranking again

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 11 of the last 12 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.

"Saint Mary's educates women uncommonly well, and it's good to have our enduring quality reflected in these annual rankings," says Dr. Carol Ann Mooney, Saint Mary's College president. "What the rankings don't show is that, after four years at Saint Mary's, our students become women who excel in business, the arts, medicine and academe. Our success as an institution can best be measured by our graduates, better-known to others as their skilled physician, favorite author, or congresswoman."

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. 22.

Saint Mary's College is a four-year institution offering five bachelor's degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary's students hail from 45 states and territories and nine countries. Sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the College was founded in 1844 and now enrolls approximately 1550 students. Saint Mary's is located in Notre Dame, Indiana, along with Holy Cross College and the University of Notre Dame.

View U.S. News Ranking

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REPORTER'S NOTE: President Carol Ann Mooney is available for comment Friday, Aug.19.
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