Saint Mary's is once again ranked as the top Midwest comprehensive college, according to U.S News and World Re-port's annual publication of "Ame-rica's Best Colle-ges" which hits newsstands today.

"The rankings reaffirm that we're doing the right things at Saint Mary's," College President Marilou Eldred said in a press release. "The greatest measure of our educational success, however, will always lie in the academic and professional success of our students."

Since its U.S. News and World Report's annual publication in 1985, Saint Mary's has been ranked among the top 10 colleges in the category of Midwest liberal arts colleges and has been ranked No. 1 for eight of the last nine years.

"I want to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and many contributions to this institution," said Eldred in an e-mail to the entire campus. "It is through your efforts as students, faculty and staff that our excellence is recognized time and again in so many ways."

U.S. News and World Report uses several factors to rank schools including peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

Saint Mary's was given an overall score of 100, the highest score possible in the rankings, placing the College first over 109 other institutions in its category.

"I was excited to see Saint Mary's ranked as No. 1 again. It's a great refection of the students and faculty," said Rachel Finely, senior class president. "I'm pleased to graduate with a degree from a No. 1-ranked college."

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