For the eighth year in a row, Williams Baptist University is a “top tier” institution, according to the latest college rankings from US News & World Report. The 2018 rankings were released Tuesday with Williams ranked 35th among liberal arts colleges in the South, placing it in the magazine’s top tier for the region.

“Achieving eight straight years as a top tier institution indicates clearly that Williams has an outstanding reputation, and that its reputation continues to grow. The US News rankings are a great affirmation of the educational excellence at WBU, and we are grateful,” said Williams President Dr. Tom Jones.

WBU was ranked 23rd in last year’s edition. US News bases the rankings on a wide ranging series of criteria, including class sizes, student-to-teacher ratio, student retention and peer reputation score.

“It is great for WBU’s outstanding student experience to be recognized in this way. Williams has provided an excellent, Christ-centered education for the past 76 years, and rankings like this from US News demonstrate that the institution has great momentum moving forward,” said Jones.

Williams is a Christian liberal arts college in Walnut Ridge. It is owned and operated by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.