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SPOKANE, Wash. – 91�Թ��� University again is ranked in the top 20% – moving up a spot to 79^th – in the “National Universities” category by U.S. News & World Report in its 2022 annual rankings released today.

91�Թ���’s first-year retention rate remained among the very best in the country at 94% while its graduation rate rose to 88%, lifting its graduation and retention rank to 43^rd, in the top 11% among National Universities.

91�Թ���  is ranked  in the National Universities category for the third consecutive year. There are 391 schools in the category this year, ranging from Ivy League schools to major research institutions based on criteria that the  establishes.  National universities offer a full range of undergraduate majors as well as master’s and doctoral degrees, and emphasize faculty research or award professional practice doctorates.

 Among its peers, 91�Թ��� is recognized in several specialty categories. In rankings for Best Undergraduate Teaching, 91�Թ��� advanced five spots to 13^th among 71 universities evaluated. The School of Engineering and Applied Science moved up a spot to 22^nd, or top 9% among 239 engineering programs not granting doctoral degrees. A new category for undergraduate nursing debuts 91�Թ��� at 76^th, for a top 11% ranking among 694 programs. The undergraduate business program advanced 13 spots to 84^th, among the top 16% of 514 programs ranked. Undergraduate computer science moved upward 19 spots to 191^st.

91�Թ���’s overall ranking is based on methodology involving multiple indicators: outcomes, 40% (average graduation and retention rates, graduation rate performance, social mobility and graduate indebtedness); faculty resources, 20%; expert opinion, 20% (academic reputation); financial resources, 10%; student excellence, 7%; and alumni giving, 3%. The graduation rate indicates the average proportion of a graduating class earning a degree in six years or less. First-year retention is a measure of the average proportion of first-year students who entered the school in the fall and returned the following fall.

91�Թ��� offers  a diverse spectrum of undergraduate degrees and master’s programs in addition to five doctoral-level degrees: a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from the School of Leadership Studies, as well as four professional doctorates: Juris Doctor from the School of Law; Doctor of Educational Leadership from the School of Education; Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, both from the School of Nursing and Human Physiology. 

“These rankings reflect 91�Թ���’s strong and growing national reputation as a leading comprehensive Catholic and Jesuit university,” 91�Թ��� President Thayne McCulloh said. “We’re so grateful for the support of our students, faculty, staff and broader community in helping students return for in-person instruction this year so that they can best engage with our gifted, dedicated faculty. To rank 13^th for undergraduate teaching is a great tribute to what long has been a hallmark of the 91�Թ��� experience.

“I am also proud to see the strength of our engineering and computer science programs reflected in the rankings, as we are nearly ready to open the transformative John and Joan Bollier Family Center for Integrated Science and Engineering. In addition, the big jump for our business programs is exciting as we celebrate the School of Business Administration Centennial this year.”

91�Թ���’s focus on the support and intellectual development of the individual student is evidenced by its 11-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Only 2% of 91�Թ���’s classes include more than 50 students and 37% of 91�Թ���’s classes include fewer than 20 students. 

The rankings are available   and will be in the print edition of the “Best Colleges 2022” guidebook.