Claflin University News August 24, 2015 Claflin University Ranked Top Liberal Arts College, Best Bang For The Buck By Washington Monthly Claflin University continues to be recognized as a top-ranked liberal arts college by Washington Monthly magazine. Claflin is the number one ranked liberal arts college in South Carolina and the top HBCU in the nation in the publication's annual College Guide rankings released today. This year, Claflin earned the number 23 spot based on its social mobility -recruiting and graduating low-income students; research - the institution's ability to produce cutting-edge research; and service - encouraging students to give back to their community. It was one of only six South Carolina colleges on the list, and among 248 ranked schools in the U.S. Washington Monthly began ranking colleges and universities in 2005. Additionally, Claflin ranked 24th out of 288 schools in the Best Bang for your Buck category. According to Washington Monthly, schools in this category "are the best value for your money based on the 'net,' not sticker price, how well they do graduating the students they admit, and whether those students go on to earn at least enough to pay off their loans." "These rankings focus on student success and service-oriented schools, and we are proud to be recognized," said Claflin President Henry N. Tisdale. "We strive daily to provide access to a quality education with a tangible and worthwhile return on investment - gainful employment, global citizenship and a commitment to serving others. These rankings are a reflection of those goals" U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked Claflin University as one of "America's Best Colleges" for the past 16 years. In its 2014 edition, Claflin was again ranked a top national liberal arts college. The University was also ranked ninth nationally among historically black colleges and universities. Additionally, Claflin was ranked first in alumni giving among HBCUs by U.S. News and World Report and was HBCU Digest's HBCU of the year in 2015. Claflin students have earned national recognition for community service, as well. In 2014, the University was named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the eighth consecutive year. And for the seventh year, Forbes.com ranked Claflin as one of America's top colleges. Claflin was one of 12 ranked institutions in South Carolina. Founded in 1969, Washington Monthly is a bimonthly nonprofit magazine covering politics, government, culture and the media based in Washington, D.C. According to the magazine, its annual College Guide issue takes a different approach to ranking the nation's colleges and universities while exploring with industry experts what's right and wrong with American higher education. For more information or to view the complete 2015 rankings, visit www.washingtonmonthly.com/college-rankings<http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college-rankings>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.