“It’s a badge of honor,” Vice President of University Communications and Marketing Lee Wilhite said with a sense of pride. Biola once again made it to the top tier of the 2020 Best National University Ranking list, along with six other lists, released by U.S. News and World Report on Sept. 9, 2019. The school placed No. 185 out of 399 institutions. Biola is also the highest ranking school among members of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.

Biola has also made it onto several lists for the first time in school history: Best Colleges for Veterans, Ethnic Diversity, Best Undergraduate Teaching, Best Value School, Top Performers of Social Mobility and First-Year Experiences. Wilhite urged students to take pride in their school, saying this recognition is a reflection of the academic rigor and welcoming spirits that Biola students possess. 

A PLACE FOR MINORITIES AND VETERANS

Out of the many notable lists Biola is recognized in, Wilhite said Ethnic Diversity is one of the achievements he was proudest to reach. Biola stands as #73 out of 190 schools in this list. The student body of Biola is almost a 50/50 split between white students and students of color, according to Wilhite. Ethnic diversity is not just a result of chance on this campus, but is a goal that Biola faculty have been intentional about achieving. 

Not only that, but the institution made the list of Best Colleges for Veterans due to being certified for the GI Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program services and the number of veterans enrolled. The timing coincides with the grand opening of the school’s Veteran Center, which provides resources for military-affiliated students.

HOW RANKINGS ARE CALCULATED

In order to come up with their final standings, U.S. News ranks schools by 15 diverse measures, as well as statistics of “average ACT/SAT scores of admitted students, student-faculty ratios and graduation rates,” according to U.S. News. An extensive amount of research, discussions with higher education experts and on-campus visits are essential to the ranking calculations as well.

MORE NOTABLE LISTSBiola was also mentioned in top rankings for colleges by Kiplinger, Forbes magazine, the Princeton Review and Money Magazine.