September 16, 2011 – Howard Payne University maintained strong rankings in the newly announced 2012 edition of “Best Colleges” by U.S.News & World Report. In the “Best Regional Colleges of the West” category for liberal arts universities, HPU advanced three places from 2011, tying for 13th out of 40 ranked institutions. Schools are ranked within four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest and West.

The university ranked third among “Regional Colleges of the West” in the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category.

“Great Schools, Great Prices” determines the colleges and universities that offer students the best value. The rankings are determined through a formula that relates the school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2012 “Best Colleges” ranking, to the 2010-11 academic year net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

“We are proud to once again be named as a top liberal arts university in the region,” said Dr. Bill Ellis, HPU president. “The faculty, staff and administration of Howard Payne are dedicated to continuing our long tradition of providing the highest quality education at a great value.”