Belmont Abbey College

Belmont Abbey College Ranked as One of the Best in Southeast By U.S. News & The Princeton Review. Abbey Recognized for Academics, Named #1 in North Carolina for Class Size

BELMONT, NC --- According to U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review, Belmont Abbey College is one of the best colleges in the Southeast.

U.S. News and World Report released its annual rankings for 2006 this week, revealing Belmont Abbey College has climbed in the rankings – standing in the top tier for the second consecutive year as one of the best comprehensive colleges in the Southeast offering bachelor’s degrees.

This year, U.S. News and World Report ranked Belmont Abbey 27th – putting the liberal arts College in the top tier out of a total of 105 Southern comprehensive colleges and universities, both public and private. In 2005, Belmont Abbey College was ranked 32nd.

According to the magazine, Belmont Abbey College ranks first in North Carolina for having the highest proportion of classes under 20 (second in the Southeast) among comprehensive colleges.

“We are extremely pleased to be ranked among the top colleges in the Southeast by U.S. News and The Princeton Review,” says Belmont Abbey College President Dr. William K. Thierfelder. “Our continued success reflects our commitment to the ideals of excellence and virtue so that in all things God may be glorified.”

The Princeton Review also announced this week that Belmont Abbey College stands out as one of 140 colleges and universities it has named to its Best Schools in the Southeast list.

This year, The Princeton Review gathered student opinion data from 110,000 students at a total of 646 schools and is currently featuring its findings on the web (PrincetonReview.com) and in its 2006 edition of “The Best 361 Colleges” (Random House / Princeton Review).

“One of the many things I like about the Abbey is the small class size,” says political science major, Stephanie Garcia. “The classroom allows us to develop a one-on-one relationship with professors, so it doesn’t feel like you’re just attending a lecture. Instead, each class is more like having a personal conversation with each professor. They make themselves readily available – whether it’s in the classroom, or during office hours, or by email. We always feel comfortable going to them with questions or for advice.”

Senior Angela Kisbey-Green agrees.

“The Abbey has a real family atmosphere,” says Green, a cross-country athlete and president of Tau Kappa Delta. “No matter who you are – you always feel comfortable. Even if you arrive and you don’t know anyone – the students, faculty and staff make you feel welcome. It makes it easier to do things – really come out of your shell – and put your leadership skills to the test.”

The Princeton Review includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee, as the Southeast Region for its Best Colleges list.

“All of the schools in this book are academically outstanding,” says Princeton Review author, Robert Franek. “But no school is best for all students. That's why our book has 62 different ranking lists and campus feedback about the schools not reported elsewhere. We hope it will help college applicants and their parents decide which college is best for them.”

Ranked one of the best comprehensive colleges in the Southeast by U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review, Belmont Abbey College celebrates excellence and virtue steeped in its 129-year Catholic Benedictine heritage. The liberal arts College is home to students from over 34 states and 26 countries and welcomes everyone from any background or tradition committed to this vision of excellence and virtue. The campus consists of the College, the Monastery and the Abbey Basilica, which can be found on its sprawling 650 acres of picturesque landscape.

Just minutes from Charlotte, NC, the nation’s second largest banking center, Belmont Abbey College offers students numerous internship opportunities and career placement.

The College believes in development of the whole person – mind, body and spirit. By offering a wide array of clubs and activities including Division II athletics, theatre, publications, and study abroad, Belmont Abbey College invests in the personal growth of its students.

Founded in 1876, the College celebrates its heritage and is inspired by the Benedictine monastic tradition. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the College and Abbey Basilica greet thousands of visitors each year.