Colleges of Distinction Launches Guidebook of Best Colleges In The U.S.

Colleges of Distinction today announces the launch of its much-anticipated Guidebook to America’s best undergraduate colleges.

The publication provides a unique approach that helps students, families, and guidance counselors find excellent U.S. institutions that fit the interests and needs of undergraduates, and features many schools that might otherwise be overlooked using typical college search strategies and publications.

“The Guidebook gives you everything you need to know about the best schools in the country, many of which will likely be new to those involved in the college search process,” said Tyson Schritter, executive editor for Colleges of Distinction. “Our new resource provides a detailed description of schools that may not be the biggest names, but that consistently do the best job of educating their students and supporting them through graduation and beyond.”

Each of the 335 colleges in the Guidebook has produced verifiable results across Four Distinctions—Engaged Students, Great Teaching, Vibrant Community, and Successful Outcomes. They share key characteristics that make them excellent choices: their students are motivated and engaged; their classrooms provide meaningful, hands-on learning environments; their campuses and communities are vibrant and dynamic; and they consistently transform good students into well-rounded, successful citizens, ready to contribute to their communities, the nation, and the world.

“The Guidebook is the latest Colleges of Distinction resource to facilitate students, parents, and guidance counselors in moving beyond the hype that presently dominates the college selection process,” explains Schritter. “We want to help you find the undergraduate experience best suited to the individual interests, needs, and career aspirations of every student.”

High school counselors and educators nominate Colleges of Distinction through an assessment that reviews key indicators including student engagement, student empowerment, and curricular innovation. Colleges of Distinction then reviews each institution’s freshman experience, its general education program, strategic plan, alumni success, and student satisfaction measures before including them in its exclusive Colleges of Distinction listing.

“Like Colleges of Distinction’s existing resources, our new Guidebook delivers more than just a ranking or a tally of test scores,” said Schritter. “We designed the Guidebook to provide easy-to-understand, actionable information about which colleges nurture and serve their students across our Four Distinctions. Our proprietary system and our list of colleges are not available from any other source.”

The Colleges of Distinction Guidebook is now available online at Amazon.com for $8.99.

About Colleges of Distinction

Since 2000 Colleges of Distinction has recognized and honored schools throughout the U.S. for excellence in undergraduate-focused higher education. The member schools in the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their focus on the undergraduate experience. CollegeofDistinction.com provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and more for students, parents, and high school counselors.