Kenyon, MVNU ranked among best in their class by US News

MOUNT VERNON – Two Knox County colleges were ranked by US News as best colleges; with Kenyon College in Gambier ranked 28th nationally among liberal arts colleges, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) in Mount Vernon No. 71 in regional Midwest universities.

MVNU also ranked 25th as a top performer in “social mobility” educating low-income students and 192nd for its engineering programs.

MVNU is a Christian liberal arts university offering a variety of bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. Popular majors on the campus include nursing, social work and youth services.

“We live in a world in need of action-takers— individuals who want to make a real difference, who are passionate about serving others, whose lives are bursts of light in the darkness," the MVNU website said. "You can be that light, and MVNU can help you shine forth.”

The University has a total undergraduate population of 1,816 students, with 39% of them male and 61% female.

Ashley Weber, a communications sciences and disorders major, noted that the MVNU experience has been a great plus for her.

“MVNU has provided so many opportunities for me to grow in my faith, inside and outside of the classroom,” she said in a release issued on the university's website.

The dean of MVNU is Dr. Yvonne Schultz.

Kenyon College, with an undergrad population of 1,747, is a private institution nestled in a rural setting. It was also ranked at No. 11 for best undergraduate teaching among liberal arts colleges and 58th best in value for money spent.

“We set high academic standards and look for talented students who love learning," The college’s website said. "Small classes, dedicated teachers and friendly give-and-take set the tone. Kenyon welcomes curiosity, creativity, intellectual ambition and an openness to new ideas. We see learning as a challenging, deeply rewarding and profoundly important activity, to be shared in a spirit of collaboration.”

Popular majors at the college include English language and literature, economics, history, political science, government and psychology.

A student satisfaction survey reported a 91% margin.

One student who identified herself as Laura on the unigo.com website said she liked the college’s close-knit student-faculty relationship and country-like setting.

The dean of Kenyon College is Robin Hart Ruthenbeck.