U.S. News & World Report ranks North Central among America’s Best Colleges for 22nd year

North Central College is among the best schools in the region at helping students realize their full potential, according to the latest rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

The magazine ranks North Central College among America’s Best Colleges for 2016, the 22nd consecutive year the College has earned the recognition. North Central College is ranked No. 15 in the Midwest in the Regional Universities category—schools that offer a full range of undergraduate and master’s degrees.

For the second consecutive year, the magazine also ranks North Central College among “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” a designation that recognizes institutions “where spirit and hard work can make all the difference” and are distinguished by a “broad and engaged student body.”

“Students who choose North Central College discover an outstanding array of networking, mentoring and other resources that enable them to achieve their full potential,” says Marty Sauer, vice president for enrollment management and athletics. “North Central students conduct research, study abroad, intern at area companies and pursue other opportunities that allow them to grow and mature and scholars and citizens.”

The newest U.S. News rankings recognize North Central’s excellence for the first time as among the nation’s “Best Colleges for Veterans.” The magazine says this recognition is intended “to provide military veterans and active-duty service members with data on which top-ranked schools offer benefits that can help them make pursuing a college education more affordable.”

“North Central College offers a range of opportunities—from group programs to one-on-one mentoring—for military veterans transitioning to academic and civilian life,” says Julie Carballo, North Central’s veteran services coordinator. “In addition to fully participating in both the Post 9/11 GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon veteran benefit programs, our veterans receive discounted parking passes, complimentary tickets to four fine arts shows and other benefits.”

U.S. News bases its rankings on a system that evaluates up to 15 indicators of academic excellence, including graduation and retention rates, assessment by peers from other institutions and high school counselors, student selectivity, faculty resources, financial resources and alumni giving.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are the latest in a series of accolades for North Central College, located in Naperville, Ill. The Chronicle of Higher Education named North Central “A Great College To Work For.” Forbes magazine ranked North Central College among America’s Top Colleges for 2015-2016, and the Princeton Review named North Central a Best Midwestern College and Green College for sustainability initiatives in its 2016 survey of the nation’s best colleges.