XU ranked top 10

For the 17th straight year, Xavier University is ranked in the top-10 Midwest regional universities by U.S. News and World Report.

The rankings, released Sept. 13, have Xavier tied for fourth place with Valparaiso University.

Creighton University, Butler University and Drake University were first, second and third, respectively.

"This type of ranking provides a particular kind of external validation of our work," Scott Chadwick, Provost and Chief Academic Officer said. "While it does not specifically address our success at student learning and how we develop the whole person, it does provide indirect evidence of that success."

The rankings are part of the 2012 issue of America's Best Colleges put out annually by U.S. News and World Report and feature analyses of over 1,600 institutions.

"The ranking by U.S. News & World Report brings national attention to Xavier," Debora Del Valle, director of public relations for Xavier, said. "The fact that Xavier has been ranked as one of the best in the Midwest (region) for 17 years demonstrates to prospective students nationwide that Xavier has a strong commitment to academic excellence and our Jesuit, Catholic heritage."

U.S. News and World Report used a slightly different system this year when distributing colleges and universities into categories for ranking.

Institutions were divided into national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional colleges.

Xavier is categorized as a regional university because it "offers a full range of undergraduate programs and some masters programs but few doctoral programs," according to the U.S. News and World Report website.

Within this category, Xavier ranks fourth in the Midwest region, one of four geographic regions constructed for the rankings.

"Our consistently high ranking adds to our visibility to prospective students, their families and other schools who are interested in emulating us," Chadwick said.

The rankings were calculated using a weighted system that takes into consideration undergraduate academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving.

Xavier topped Midwest rankings for graduation rate at 79%.