Westfield State ranked in the top 125 institutions in the North in the category of Best Universities - Master's, which evaluates schools that provide a full range of undergraduate and master's programs, but few, if any doctoral programs. The institutions are divided into four regions. This is the highest designation Westfield State College has received in this category.

"At Westfield State today there is a palpable sense of accomplishment and achievement of which I am extremely proud to be a part," said President Evan S. Dobelle. "We are working hard to increase recognition of the quality of our programs and to back them up by making significant investments in faculty, facilities and infrastructure. As a result, we are attracting a new generation of students motivated to think differently and creatively about the world around them. It is rewarding to see our efforts result in such a big jump in rankings."

Areas within the rankings that increased for Westfield over previous years include the college's freshman class ranking, in which 29 percent of the 2009 freshman class were in the top 25 percent of their high school classes. Additionally, the college's average graduation rate of 56 percent continues to outpace many in this category.

The U.S. News rankings are based on several key measures of quality. Scores for each measure are weighted to arrive at a final overall score. In the category of Universities - Master's and Baccalaureate Colleges measures include the following: Peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

For more information about America's Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. To access the Premium Online Edition, go to www.usnews.com/usnews/store/products/college_index.htm

About Westfield State College
Founded in 1838 by Horace Mann, Westfield State is an education leader committed to providing every generation of students with a learning experience built on its founding principle as the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, creed or economic status. This spirit of innovative thinking and social responsibility is forged in a curriculum of liberal arts and professional studies that creates a vital community of engaged learners who become confident, capable individuals prepared for leadership and service to society. For more information about Westfield State College, please visit our Web site at www.wsc.ma.edu.