For the 15th consecutive year, The Princeton Review named Oklahoma Baptist University one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States. OBU was one of 127 institutions listed in the “Best in the West” section on the educational research firm’s website feature, “2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region.”

Each year, the nationally renowned educational services organization names the best colleges and universities in five zones: Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, West and International. This year 655 institutions, including OBU, were recognized for being “academically outstanding.” The colleges named “regional best” represent about 25 percent of the nation’s 2,500 four-year colleges.

OBU is one of only seven Oklahoma schools to make the list and is among 127 colleges and universities honored in the 15-state Western region. The “Best in the West” colleges are located in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Included in the other four regional lists are 224 institutions in the Northeast, 142 in the Southeast, 158 in the Midwest, and 4 on the International list.

Included in The Princeton Review’s assessment, given through a secure online survey, are 84 questions about the school’s academics, administration and student body.

According to Robert Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review, the firm highly recommends each of the list’s institutions based on their outstanding academics, but they realize that there are more factors to consider in the college application process.

“We know applicants need far more than an academic rating or ranking to find the college that will be best for them. We created our ranking lists to help narrow that search,” Franek said.

“They are based entirely on data we gather beyond academics that gives insight into what the schools’ enrolled students say about their professors, administrators, school services, campus culture and student life. In the end, it’s all about the fit.”