Southwestern University is honored to once again be included in the Fiske Guide to Colleges annual list of “best and most interesting” four-year universities. Now in its 41st year of publication, the bestselling college guide on the market provides information on the top 300-plus universities and colleges throughout the United States, Canada, and Great Britain.

This year’s recognition triumphs Southwestern as one of the top liberal arts colleges in Texas. Fiske notes that “Southwestern prides itself on individual attention and down-to-earth friendliness, with emphasis on interdisciplinary and inquiry-based learning.” The publication also highlights Southwestern’s Paideia philosophy, which “adds spice to the learning environment.”

The review touts some of Southwestern’s strongest and most popular academic programs, including biology, business, communication studies, and psychology. Fiske also boasts, “in the Sarofim School of Fine Arts, where pottery is a specialty, student work approaches graduate-level quality.” The publication highlights Southwestern’s prime geographic location on the outskirts of Austin’s political and tech landscape as a major benefit to political science and STEM majors.

Southwestern’s academic advising, academic support, and career services all received high praise as well, with the award-winning Center for Career and Professional Development earning a shoutout for their one-on-one counseling, alumni panels, and campus-wide internship and job fairs.

Each school profiled in the Fiske Guide to Colleges spotlights valuable details such as academics, campus environment, student life, cost, financial aid, average debt, and admission rates. Inclusion in the annual list is based upon research conducted by the guide’s staff, campus visits, and questionnaires compiled by current students and administrators.

One anonymous senior noted in their questionnaire that students “are constantly being challenged to take what [they] learn in class and apply it to more difficult problems.” Another stated, “SU allows you to continue to grow and challenge yourself in a safe and accepting atmosphere.”

Edward B. Fiske served for seventeen years as education editor of the New York Times, during which time he realized that college-bound students and their families needed better information on which to base their educational choices. He wrote the Fiske Guide to Colleges to help them, updated annually with the Fiske editorial team.