California Baptist University has advanced two spots from last year in the top-40 ranked “Best Regional Universities in the West.”
Last year, U.S. News and World Report ranked CBU as 39th in the nation, but CBU is now ranked 37th. It is the third consecutive year CBU has been on the list, and the 11th year the school has been recognized.
Dr. Mark Wyatt, vice president for Marketing and Communication and interim vice president for University Advancement, said he is pleased with CBU advancing in the rankings.
“It affirms ongoing improvement and progress at CBU in academics and other aspects of campus life,” Wyatt said. “… I hope that this kind of recognition will help others know about the variety and quality of academic progress as part of the total (CBU) faith-based college experience.”
The criteria for the category of “Best Regional University” look at retention and graduation rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.
Ben Styerwalt, junior electrical and computer engineering major, said he is proud to be part of a well-recognized university.
“It shows CBU has a great environment that is conducive to learning, and having a degree that was earned at CBU will carry the same weight as any other university,” Styerwalt said. “We are getting recognized for a great education at CBU, along with amazing people and professors who prepare us for the real world.”
CBU has undergraduate, graduate and doctorate programs under the category of “Best Regional University,” a category that includes 653 other institutions. CBU is one of few institutions in the category that offers all three programs.
Morgan Banducci, junior nursing major, said she enjoys seeing how the university thrives through God’s glory.
“Sometimes a Christian university can be overlooked if it’s not a University of California or a prestigious university, but CBU is becoming more well-known and respected,” Banducci said.
“The ranking shows that even though CBU is growing and expanding, the quality, education and community are constantly improving.”
