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With impressive placements in recent national rankings from the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report, and the Wall Street Journal, ����ֱ�� continues to solidify its reputation as one of the country’s top academic institutions.

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“These rankings put us in the top 7% nationally among all 4-year institutions, and we show up strongly in these methodologies because of their focus on outcomes,” said Carolyn Noll Sorg, Vice President of Enrollment and Marketing at ����ֱ��. "Our students' families see the immense value in graduating on time with excellent job prospects. With our class of 2028 being the largest incoming, the excitement and momentum on campus is truly inspiring.”

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Positive graduate outcomes and return on value are key criteria in the Wall Street Journal's recently published, 'The 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S.,' in which ����ֱ�� was ranked 206th out of 500 top institutions of higher learning nationwide.

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“Our ranking measures how well each college sets graduates up for financial success,” said Tom Corrigan and Kevin McAllister in the Wall Street Journal article promoting the rankings. “We look at how much a school improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings, balancing feedback from students on college life.”��

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Conducted in partnership with College Pulse, a research and analytics firm specializing in the attitudes, behaviors, and preferences of college students, the Wall Street Journal’s ranking system highlights attributes that “demonstrate measurable positive outcomes for students and alumni.”��

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����ֱ�� also shines in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, coming in as the third-best university in the Midwest and the third most innovative. These distinctions speak to JCU's forward-thinking approach and investment in programs that anticipate the future needs of students, from cutting-edge facilities to dynamic learning opportunities that blend classroom instruction with hands-on experience.

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Engaged Community Service��

����ֱ�� is also one of the schools included in the 2025 edition of “The Best 390 Colleges,” published by the Princeton Review.��

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Informed by candid feedback from over 160,000 students, the institutions listed in this publication are separated into 50 categories ranging from academics, campus life, and financial aid. Within each of these categories, the Princeton Review lists the top 25 schools that best reflect each.��

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Given the importance ����ֱ�� students place on community service and the many opportunities available through the Center for Service-Learning and Social Action, Campus Ministry, and various student organizations, our school was honored to be recognized in the “Most Engaged in Community Service” category.

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John Jackson, Assistant Director for Community Partnerships at ����ֱ��, believes that while many universities participate in community service, the sustained partnerships have allowed the school to offer unique and enriching experiences for its students.��

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“Many schools do community-engaged work, but I think the hallmark difference of JCU is the commitment to strong, sustained partnerships we have with local schools, nonprofits, and social enterprises and the care with which we take to prepare students for their engagement,” said Jackson. “We have been working with some community partners for decades and through the years they have come to recognize and rely on the high caliber student volunteers that show up each week and the focus of relationship building.”

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A More Informed College Search��

Choosing the right college to fit a student's needs can be challenging. With so many outstanding institutions across the country and each student having distinct goals, priorities, and preferences, the decision becomes deeply personal and unique.

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In this way, while rankings are only one factor students and parents consider during the college search, they offer valuable insights that help families make more informed decisions.

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Mike Andelbradt '18, '24G Director of Admission at ����ֱ��, agrees and emphasizes that while college rankings are important, they should be viewed as a helpful guide, not the sole determining factor when choosing the right school.

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“Rankings alone should not make or break a decision; they are a useful tool for identifying institutions that best meet a student’s needs,” Andelbradt said.

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For many students, the final decision often comes down to how they connect with the campus, community, and the opportunities a particular institution offers.

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“I have worked with many students who have fallen in love with ����ֱ�� for a variety of reasons. It has been reassuring for them to see that they are not alone in that passion,” Andelbradt continued. “Both our campus community and respected publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Princeton Review, and U.S. News & World Report believe in the transformative experience that a JCU education provides!”