Both Berry and Shorter colleges are ranked among the top comprehensive colleges focusing on undergraduate education in the South in the 2007 U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings.

Berry ranked second among schools in the 12-state Southern region for the category.

It also placed third in the same region among similar schools in the “Great schools, great prices” list and fifth in “Highest graduation rate.” It is the 20th time the school has been recognized by the magazine.

“We are very proud of the educational opportunities available at Berry,” said Berry president Stephen Briggs. “Our three-fold mission of educating the head, heart and hands is meant to prepare students for success and fulfillment in all aspects of their lives. This ranking affirms that Berry’s unique approach results in an educational experience of the highest quality.”

Shorter ranked 21st among Southern comprehensive colleges focusing on undergraduate education. It is the sixth consecutive year the school has made the list.

“We are pleased that Shorter College is once again ranked among the top-tier schools in the 12-state Southern region,” said Shorter president Harold Newman. “Remaining among the top-tier schools while in a growth phase is difficult, and we are encouraged that the ranking indicates that we are growing in an intelligent manner.”

U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” guide is an annual ranking of more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools across the nation.

The “Best Comprehensive Colleges – Bachelor’s” category, which Berry and Shorter both fall into, includes institutions that offer a range of degree programs both in liberal arts and professional fields. There are 320 schools ranked nationally in this category divided into four geographic regions.

Berry and Shorter’s region includes colleges and universities in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Academic performance is measured on as many as 15 different indicators divided into seven categories including peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate.