Whitworth once again named one of Princeton Review’s best universities in the West

For the fifth consecutive year, Whitworth University has been designated one of the best colleges and universities in the West in a recent college guide published by The Princeton Review. The education-services company ranked Whitworth among 124 institutions it recommends in the "Best in the West" section of its website feature, “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region,” which was posted this month at http://www.princetonreview.com/best-regional-colleges.aspx.

“We're pleased to recommend Whitworth University to users of our site as one of the best schools [at which] to earn their undergraduate degree,” says Robert Franek, The Princeton Review's senior vice president of publishing. “We chose Whitworth and the other terrific institutions we name as 'regional best' colleges mainly for their excellent academic programs.”

The Princeton Review chooses schools based on institutional data it collects from several hundred schools in each region, on visits to schools, and on the opinions of independent and high-school-based college advisors. It also takes into account students’ reports about their campus experiences. Only schools that permit The Princeton Review to survey their students independently are eligible to be considered for the regional “best” lists.

“It’s always nice to be recognized by external rankings, but we particularly appreciate the Princeton Review recognition as it is based in large part on input from our students,” says Greg Orwig, vice president for admissions and financial aid at Whitworth. “It’s incredibly affirming to read students’ comments about Whitworth’s engaged faculty, small and stimulating classes, outstanding facilities in a spectacular setting and strong commitment to a Christian liberal arts education. These things are central to the Whitworth experience, because we believe they are best for students. If they lead to high rankings and recognition, that’s a great bonus.”

The Princeton Review doesn’t rank the colleges in its “2014 Best Colleges: Region by Region" website section. The 124 colleges that The Princeton Review chose for its "Best in the West" list are located in 15 states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The Princeton Review also designated 226 colleges in the Northeast, 155 in the Midwest, and 138 in the Southeast as being the best in their locales. Collectively, the 643 colleges named "regional bests" constitute about 25 percent of the nation's 2,500 four-year colleges and universities.

The survey for this project asks students to rate their own schools in variety of areas, from financial aid and the accessibility of their professors to the quality of the campus food – and to answer questions about themselves, their fellow students, and their campus life. Comments from surveyed students populate each Princeton Review college profile.

In Whitworth’s profile, students said the university offers a "strong liberal arts education" in a "spectacular setting" with a "strong emphasis on Christian beliefs." Students reported that the one-month Jan Term features "amazing opportunities to travel abroad" and said that Whitworth has "very approachable professors" whose “passion is contagious.” One student said a professor “called my cell phone because she heard I was having trouble using statistical software.” Students also describe Whitworth as having an "intimate campus" with “incredibly stimulating” small classes and a "caring, home-like atmosphere."

The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com) is known for its tutoring and classroom test-preparation courses and books, and its college and graduate school admission services. Its corporate headquarters is in Framingham, Mass., and its editorial offices are in New York City. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Contacts:

Greg Orwig, vice president for admissions and financial aid, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4580 orgorwig@whitworth.edu.

Lucas Beechinor, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lbeechinor@whitworth.edu.

Kristen O’Toole, The Princeton Review, (888) 347-7737 ext. 1405 or kotoole@review.com.