The U.S. News & World Report has ranked Lander University among the top five public regional colleges in the South in its 2016 "Best Colleges" guide.
The annual report, released Sept. 9, places Lander in the #4 spot for the category, which includes schools that "focus almost entirely on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts ... and in fields such as business, nursing and education," according to the guide.
In the broader Best Regional Colleges category, which includes private and public institutions, Lander earned the #44 spot in the South region, climbing an impressive 20 spots over last year's position. More than 360 colleges and universities are included in the Best Regional Colleges category, and schools are split into four geographical regions.
In addition, Lander was also recognized in the guide's 2016 Best Colleges for Veterans rankings, coming in at #30 in the Regional Colleges-South category.
"It is wonderful to see Lander University among the U.S. News & World Report's 2016 'Best Colleges' rankings, and we are especially honored to be among the top public regional colleges in the South," said Lander President Richard Cosentino. "This esteemed recognition is a clear, accurate reflection of the quality of faculty and academic programs we have at Lander. The administration and the Board of Trustees are proud of the faculty and staff who work hard each day to provide our students with a challenging, engaging educational experience."