University receives additional accolades for residence halls, athletic facilities, and study abroad program
Loyola University Maryland has been named among the best 373 colleges in the 2011 Princeton Review guide. In addition, Loyola’s residence halls ranked third in the country, its athletic facilities ranked 10th, and its study abroad program ranked 18th.
“We are delighted to be recognized as a top college by the Princeton Review,” said Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., Loyola’s president. “It is particularly gratifying to us that our students have such strong, positive opinions of our residence halls, sports facilities, and international study opportunities. At Loyola, we emphasize the education of the whole person, and these components of the Loyola experience play a critical role in what makes a Loyola education so distinctive.”
Loyola operates 14 residence halls, including a mix of traditional doubles, suites, apartments, and townhomes. Athletic facilities include the 6,000-seat Ridley Athletic Complex, which marked its grand opening in March 2010; the 3,000-seat Reitz Arena; and the Fitness & Aquatic Center, which features a two-story indoor rock-climbing wall, a 6,000-square-foot fitness center, a multi-court gymnasium, and a swimming pool with a 500-seat spectator area which was packed when NBA center Shaquille O’Neal took on Olympic medalist Michael Phelps there for a filming of the TV show “Shaq Vs.” in August 2009. Loyola also sponsors 14 study abroad programs, in addition to exchanges and affiliations in various countries around the world.
Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are profiled in the book. The 62 ranking lists in The Best 373 Colleges are based on the Princeton Review's survey of 122,000 students (about 325 per campus on average) attending the 373 colleges and universities in the book. An institution’s appearance on these lists is attributable to a high consensus among its surveyed students about the subject. The 80-question survey asked students to rate their schools on several topics and report on their campus experiences at them. Ranking lists report the top 20 schools in categories ranging from best professors, administration, financial aid, and campus food to lists based on student body political leanings, race/class relations, sports interests, and other aspects of campus life.
The Princeton Review is best known for its test preparation, education, and college admission services. It is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine. To see all of this year’s profiles and rankings, visit www.princetonreview.com.
For more information or questions regarding this story, contact Media Relations Manager Nick Alexopulos at nalexopulos@loyola.edu or 410-617-5025.