West Liberty University has again moved up in the U.S. News Best Colleges publication, released online Monday, Sept. 13.

WLU moved up nine spots in the Regional Universities South and one spot in the Top Public Schools slots.

“I am pleased to acknowledge that U.S. News and World Report ranked West Liberty University in this positive fashion for its 2022 assessment. It is especially notable that the university moved up nine spots in the Regional University category. I am grateful to our faculty, staff and students that continually strive for excellence,” said Dr. W. Franklin Evans, WLU president.

Now in its 37th year, these rankings evaluate more than 1,400 colleges and universities on up to 17 measures of academic quality. WLU came in at #59 in the Best Universities in the South and at the #27 spot in the Top Public Schools. 

U.S. News breaks out the numbers in a variety of ways to create a number of lists useful for prospective students, providing about 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help students narrow their college search. 

U.S. News uses overall college rankings in four categories: National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges, then further delineates by regions and categories. Criteria is established through an annual U.S. News statistical report survey, completed by most colleges.

U.S. News publishes the rankings with its datasets in the “Best Colleges 2022” guidebook, which will start shipping in early October and be available in bookstores on Nov. 2.

West Liberty University is West Virginia’s oldest institution of higher education and offers nearly 70 undergraduate majors and 30 programs, along with a growing number of graduate degree paths that are delivered both online and in-seat.  

For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB.