Hillsdale College ranks 50th among national liberal arts colleges in the latest annual survey of U.S. News & World Report, released Sept. 24.

“I believe we stand out from other universities because our faculty work diligently to offer our students an education that encourages both the pursuit of virtue and the love of learning,” Provost Christopher VanOrman said.

In the survey of more than 1,500 colleges and universities, Hillsdale also ranked fourth for first-year retention rate and seventh for financial resources for national liberal arts colleges, according to a press release from the college.

Zachary Miller, senior director of admissions, said the retention rate, which is 96%, sits as high as it does because admissions looks for students who are up for the work and will thrive because of their desire to learn about the classical liberal arts.

“We go through a painstaking process to really find the best fits from across the country,” Miller said. “Once they get here, the college wraps their arms around those students in so many ways, so it’s a partnership, but it starts in the admissions process and goes all the way through to graduation.”

U.S. News and World Report is a media company that publishes these annual ratings alongside statistics and information on each college. Since 2013, Hillsdale has landed in the top 100 national liberal arts colleges in the U.S. News and World Report rankings.

Miller also credited the work in the admissions process with other recent rankings from the Princeton Review, which ranks Hillsdale second for friendliest students and 13th for happiest students. 

“I think the students that we end up admitting are the ones who have demonstrated they really know what Hillsdale is about, “ Miller said. “That usually does parlay over to seeing at least they’re happy here.”

Patrick Flannery, vice president for finance and treasurer, said a lot of the college’s success comes down to the work of College President Larry Arnn, specifically in terms of financial resources.

“These donors, students, and students’ parents have realized all the work he’s done — our quality faculty and curriculum that we have,” Flannery said. “People have seen that. They’ve been willing to trust us with the resources that they have.”

This financial responsibility is something Miller said sets Hillsdale apart.

“If you look at a lot of the top schools on that list of the top 100 liberal arts colleges, we have one of the lowest total costs of any of those schools by far,” Miller said.

Flannery, Miller, and VanOrman, however, emphasized the greater importance of the college’s mission as compared to ratings.

Flannery said donors are interested in the mission of the college.

“I think a lot of the donors find it appealing that we’re able to bring in a great student,” Flannery said. “I think, in general, our donors are really interested in our mission and how we educate kids in the liberal arts.”

Hillsdale’s education and environment distinguishes Hillsdale from other liberal arts colleges, VanOrman said. 

“While we are pleased to receive these rankings, it’s important to note that such accolades are subjective and are not something we chase,” VanOrman said. “We are confident that Hillsdale’s unique culture, rooted in a classical liberal arts education and a commitment to intellectual and spiritual growth, offers a truly exceptional learning environment.”