Paul Watson, Campus Carrier Editor-in-Chief

Berry has been recognized as one of the best liberal arts colleges in America.

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Berry as the number one “up-and-coming” liberal arts college in America.

According to U.S. News and World Report, “college presidents, provosts and admissions deans were asked to nominate up to 10 colleges in their U.S. News Best Colleges ranking category ‘that are making improvements in academics, faculty, students, campus life, diversity and facilities. These schools are worth watching because they are making promising and innovative changes.’”

College President Stephen R. Briggs said he was happy to see Berry recognized for its principles.

“We are delighted that our peers recognized Berry for its innovative and creative approaches,” Briggs said, according to the Office of Public Relations. “Berry deliberately fuses challenging academics and practical work experience in the context of a residential campus community. This combination offers a solution and way forward for those who are concerned about the value of a college education. Berry’s model allows us to cultivate in students a robust work ethic, a set of core values and a sense of direction and purpose.”

Though Berry is the number one up-and-coming liberal arts college, it is still the 126th-ranked liberal arts college in the nation in a category dominated by colleges like Williams College and Amherst College. This national ranking is based on many factors, including average SAT and ACT scores of incoming students, graduation rate and peer reviews, according to Robert Morse of the U.S. News and World Report.