Iowa Wesleyan named one of top institutions in Midwest

MT. PLEASANT - Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant received high marks in U.S. News and World Report's Best Colleges Rankings for 2020, released earlier this month.

The university is listed as a top institution in the Midwest, and ranked No. 1 for all Regional Midwest Colleges for its large number of international students, boasting a student body representing over 30 countries. It is the second consecutive year in which IW has led the state in this recognition.

Iowa Wesleyan was also ranked No. 5 overall and No. 1 in Iowa for Ethnic Diversity as a Regional Midwest College with 47 percent of IW's enrollment represented. IW is the first and only university in the state of Iowa to be a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

'We are proud of this recognition as it reinforces what our faculty, staff, and students already know - that Iowa Wesleyan University is among the best places to teach and learn,” IW President Christine Plunkett said in a news release. 'Our commitment to providing every student with outstanding academic and social experiences is what makes IW a special place. Our goal to be a place of opportunity and growth for students from diverse backgrounds continues. Rankings from U.S. News and other organizations validate that we are providing the resources for our faculty and students to be successful.”

The rankings are based on key measures of quality such as academic reputation; graduation and retention rates; faculty resources (including class size, the percentage of faculty with the highest academic degree, student-faculty ratio); student selectivity; financial resources; and alumni giving. For more information about the rankings, visit http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges.

Facts about Iowa Wesleyan University

School type: Private, coed

Founded: 1842

Religious affiliation: United Methodist

2018 endowment: $15.3 million

Student-faculty ratio: 11 to 1

Total enrollment: 616

Gender distribution: 52 percent female