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Lipscomb University ranked in Top 20 regional universities in the South by 'US News'

Kim Chaudoin | 

Lipscomb University is again ranked among the Top 20 regional universities in the South, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s “2014 America’s Best Colleges” guidebook published today. With an overall ranking of 20th in the Regional Universities-South category, Lipscomb progressed in four of the 11 indicators used for the ranking.

Enrollment pic 2013Lipscomb University was also ranked one of the Top 5 regional universities in the South whose students graduate with the least debt.

Other institutions joining Lipscomb in the Top 20 universities in the South include Samford University, The Citadel, James Madison University, Appalachian State University, the College of Charleston and Elon University. Lipscomb ranked higher in the South than universities such as Western Kentucky University, Murray State University, Tennessee Technological University, Marshall University, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Lee University and Kennesaw State University.

In U.S. News criteria, Lipscomb improved in student/faculty ratio, the percentage of classes under 20 students, peer assessment and overall score. Lipscomb was also named among the “A-Plus Schools for B Students” in the South for the second consecutive year. The category recognizes universities that “truly seek a broad, engaged student body.”

“The Lipscomb community is thriving and growing in unprecedented ways,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowry. “We are particularly pleased to be recognized as a university that works with students to develop financial plans allowing them to graduate without a large debt burden. It is gratifying to see that national leaders and educators recognize Lipscomb University’s growing reputation as a vibrant, innovative, serving institution.”

This is the latest of several recognitions the university has received for its quality and excellence. This summer, the National Council on Teacher Quality named Lipscomb’s College of Education one of only four top teacher-training programs in the United States. In addition, the College of Business was ranked 24th in the nation in the Military Times’ 2013 Best for Vets: Business Schools Guide for veterans based on financial aid, academic policies and participation in the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Last month, Lipscomb University was named a top university for lifetime return on investment by Affordable Colleges Online, a leading national resource for college affordability and financial aid information. Lipscomb was ranked in the top five percent of Tennessee colleges analyzed for the ranking. The university was also recently one of only 54 universities in the nation honored as a 2013-14 Christian College of Distinction.

With an official enrollment of 4,593, Lipscomb University has experienced an 82 percent enrollment growth rate since 2005. This year’s graduate enrollment after the official count is 1,696, an 11.5 percent increase from last year. Adding to the enrollment growth this semester are:

  • Five new graduate programs including the Master of Education with an emphasis in collaborative professional learning, a Master of Business Administration concentration in strategic human resources, a master’s degree in software engineering, a Master of Arts in Christian Practice and a Master of Film and Creative Media degree.
  • Four new concentrations in the Education Specialist program;
  • 147 nursing students, the largest enrollment in Lipscomb’s history;
  • 684 freshmen;
  • 553 Master of Education students and 73 Doctor of Education students; and
  • 471 first-time graduate students.

August began Lipscomb’s 123rd academic year. Next month, construction of a 15,000-square-foot pharmacy and health sciences research facility is scheduled for completion. The building will include classrooms, a variety of specialized labs and other learning environments that support learning and research in the natural, applied and pharmaceutical sciences at Lipscomb as well as facilitate collaboration with other academic institutions, clinical research organizations and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies in the area. Several other construction and renovation projects are set for completion in the coming weeks including a renovation of the Swang Business Center’s main auditorium and the addition of new locker rooms and other facilities in the Student Activities Center.