Publication ranks CLU in top tier of best colleges list

California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks has been ranked 17th on the U.S. News & World Report list of top schools in the West, from Texas to the West Coast, offering quality bachelor's and master's degrees.

For the 12th straight year, CLU has been placed in the top tier of Western Regional Universities in the U.S. News & World Report annual rankings.

The standings were released this week on the U.S. News & World Report website (www.usnews.com ).

The rankings were posted in the Aug. 28 edition of the U.S. News & World Report magazine and in the U.S. News & World Report America's Best Colleges Guide 2007.

"The university is pleased to be recognized as one of the top universities in the western

United States," said Dr. Chris Kimball, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

"However," Kimball said, "we are most proud of what our students have accomplished under the guidance of our dedicated faculty.

"The success experienced by our students and faculty can be measured in many ways, particularly in how they prepare for lives of leadership and service."

Based on high scores in several key categories, CLU has maintained its spot among top institutions in the West.

Peer institutions are ranking CLU higher, and significant strides have been made in increasing the graduation rates and the percentage of freshmen who are in the top 25 percent of their high school class. CLU consistently ranks high

with respect to freshman retention rates (81 percent) and the percentage of classes with fewer than 20 students (64 percent).

CLU serves more than 2,000 undergraduates and about 1,000 graduate and teaching credential students.

The university offers 36 majors along with professional preparation programs in specified fields of study.

Master's degree programs are offered in education, psychology, business administration, public policy and administration, and computer science.

A doctoral program in educational leadership is offered through the School of Education.

Members of the CLU student body come from around the nation and the world and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures. For a complete listing of U.S.

News & World Report rankings, visit www.usnews.com.