Heidelberg receives high marks in U.S.News survey
College also makes list for affordability

TIFFIN - For the 19th consecutive year, Heidelberg College has received high marks among its peers in a national magazine that rates the quality and value of education at colleges and universities across the country. Additionally, the college received special recognition as a "great school at a great price" because of the combination of its high quality and affordability.

In releasing the results of its annual survey of best colleges and universities, U.S.News & World Report magazine ranked Heidelberg in the top tier of the "Best Universities - Master's" category in the Midwest region.

U.S.News uses a set of seven indicators to rank the best colleges and universities, including peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate and alumni giving.

For its "Great Schools, Great Prices" rankings, the magazine uses a formula that relates a school's academic quality, based on its ranking, with the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of financial aid. Also factored in are the percentage of undergraduates who receive scholarships or financial aid and the "average discount," the percentage of total costs covered by need-based scholarships or grants.

Heidelberg's average cost of $15,348 after financial aid was the lowest in the Midwest region.

Heidelberg President F. Dominic Dottavio said Heidelberg's consistent appearance in the rankings is an important indicator that the college's mission of providing an affordable, quality academic and personally enriching experience to its students continues to be fulfilled.

"We are committed to engaging our students both in the classroom and in the community," Dottavio said. "The results of this commitment are reflected not only in our consistent showing in U.S.News, but in the many ways in which Heidelberg students contribute through thousands of hours of community service, both on campus and in the community.

"We're pleased to have earned the respect of our peer institutions in this regard."

James Troha, vice president for enrollment management, said the rankings give families another option for a quality, yet affordable, education.

"Our continued ranking as a best value, I think, validates our ability to provide today's students and families an affordable private college option while still providing the kind of quality education Heidelberg is known for," Troha said.  "We know that affordability is important but ultimately, we seek to provide a meaningful educational experience for our students that will help them become successful in their lives."

In Heidelberg's "Best Universities - Master's" category, some 557 schools were ranked within four geographic regions.

Founded in 1850, Heidelberg offers 36 courses of study in 19 major fields of concentration, awarding the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of music, master of arts in counseling, master of arts in education and the MBA degrees.