By the Numbers

Biola University was once again ranked in the top tier of the “Best National Universities” category of the annual U.S. News & World Report  college rankings, released in September. For the second year in a row, U.S. News also named Biola an “up and coming” national university — an honor designated to only 17 national universities that “have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities,” according to U.S. News. Biola was also included in the magazine’s list of “A-Plus Schools for B Students” alongside 85 other national universities including Auburn, Baylor, Fordham and Pepperdine.  

• 17 — The number of schools in the United States, including Biola, named “up and coming” national universities. Other schools on the list include Clemson, Tulane, George Mason and the University of Southern California.
   
  
• 2 — The number of schools in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, including Biola, to be ranked in the top tier of national universities. (Azusa Pacific is the other.)
   
  
• 170 — Biola’s overall ranking among national universities, for the second year in a row. Biola is tied for the highest ranking in this category among schools in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.
   
  
• 147 — Biola’s position on the 2012 “High School Counselor Rankings,” which surveyed guidance counselors at public and private high schools on their perceptions of 280 national universities.
   
  
• 280 — Total number of schools ranked as national universities by U.S. News (out of a total of 1,600 schools ranked in various categories).
   
  
• 85 — The number of schools, including Biola, listed as “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” described as those “where non-superstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving.”