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Thanks to increasing graduation and retention rates, as well as a demonstrated commitment to keeping costs in check, Longwood for the second straight year is ranked among the top 10 regional public universities in the South. A slate of annual rankings—from U.S. News & World Report to Princeton Review—places Longwood in increasingly good stature compared with other universities.

“Longwood’s recognition as one of the best regional universities reflects the groundwork we have laid over the last several years to pair a strong liberal arts and sciences core with the resources 21st century students need to thrive,” said Dr. Jennifer Green, associate vice president for enrollment management and student success. “Longwood students graduate with not only the skills they need to thrive in the workplace, but with a deep understanding of how to be active citizens and leaders in their own communities.”

Rankings are a reflection of the quality education Longwood offers, but they don’t tell the whole story, said President W. Taylor Reveley IV.

“Our campus culture is much richer than any ranking can reflect, especially our history, camaraderie and mission of citizen leadership. While no ranking can paint a complete picture of a campus, our continued strong showing reflects the important work that has been done to increase retention, strengthen student success and keep higher education affordable in the last three years. We continue to be a place with forward momentum.”

In U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” 2016 report, released in September, Longwood ranked No. 10 among public regional universities in the South and No. 33 overall among both public and private colleges and universities in the region. Longwood’s Online MBA program was ranked in the top 80 programs in the country in the same U.S. News & World Report list.

The Princeton Review, another popular ranking, named Longwood to its “Best in the Southeast” list. A newer ranking system, published by The Wall Street Journal, also includes Longwood—noting strength in student engagement.