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US News & World Report Names Lees-McRae No. 23 Best Regional College in South

Lees-McRae College was named the No. 23 best regional college in the South, in a new evaluation released by U.S. News & World Report. Defined by the news site, regional colleges focus on the undergraduate experience and offer a broad range of programs in the liberal arts and professional fields such as nursing, education and business.

“I think the construction of new learning spaces, such as the May School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and the renovation of other learning, living, and athletic spaces has had a positive effect on our rankings,” said Lees-McRae President Barry Buxton.

U.S. News ranks more than 1,800 institutions annually through the review of numerous factors. Criteria include student population, graduation and retention rates, reputation, student selectivity, faculty and financial resources, and the percent of alumni giving.

The recent report indicates continued improvement for Lees-McRae. U.S. News ranked the institution No. 70 in the South among regional colleges as recently as 2014.

“We are pleased that peers have noted our academic standing,” added Buxton. “Students want distinct programs like wildlife rehabilitation, and this is just another example of how Lees-McRae can be the school to provide them.”

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, Lees-McRae College is a private, four-year college offering diverse baccalaureate degrees, strong athletic programs and outstanding faculty. Field-specific career preparation and hands-on learning enhance the broad core curriculum. For more information, please visit www.lmc.edu or call 828.898.5241.