Peoria, IL (Sept. 11, 2012) Bradley University has been ranked as the sixth best Midwest regional university by U.S.News & World Report’s annual college guide, America’s Best Colleges.

Bradley also moved up to fifth as a “best value” in the ranking of Great Schools at Great Prices, a measurement of high academic quality and the net tuition and housing cost. The Caterpillar College of Engineering and Technology also received national recognition as one of the best undergraduate engineering programs in its category.

“I am pleased that Bradley continues to be recognized as a top university in Illinois and the nation,” said Bradley President Joanne Glasser. “The rankings validate what our students and alumni know – that Bradley provides a world-class education that links academic excellence, experiential learning and leadership development.”

The U.S.News ranking rates hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide; the rankings are a comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities. The America’s Best Colleges rankings help families navigate the difficult decisions involved throughout the college process from college admission and selection to financing options.

Bradley garnered additional national recognition on Monday when The Alumni Factor, a new college ranking system, included the University in its debut ranking of 177 universities. The Alumni Factor includes student-faculty ratios, graduation rates and the cost of attendance but also puts weight on graduates’ household income, net worth, how long it took them to find jobs after graduation and whether alumni would return or recommend the school to others. It cited Bradley as producing graduates who are “connected via deep friendships and well prepared for their career.” It continued, “With a record of success, Bradley graduates are people who can be relied upon in today’s world.”