Linfield University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a well-known guide for college-bound students.
Linfield was named as a 2022-23 College of Distinction and an Oregon College of Distinction by the guide. Colleges and universities selected for honors by Colleges of Distinction are vetted through in-depth research and detailed interviews with the school’s administrators, accepting only those that adhere to four specific areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant community and successful outcomes.
“All four areas that Colleges of Distinction wants to see are Linfield strengths,” said Scott Bernard Nelson, the university’s associate vice president for strategic communications. “We have small classes with deeply involved faculty and students, and the result is that our alumni every year report some of the highest salaries and best outcomes of any college or university in the west.”
The Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing located in Portland and the McMinnville-based School of Business and Department of Education received special recognition in the guide for delivering leading-edge programs in their fields of study.
In addition, the Office of Career Development received accolades for exceeding expectations in the area of career development, equipping students with the self-reflection, job market research and networking skills needed for their lifelong career journey.
“When we focus all of our attention on how schools stack up against one another, we lose track of what really matters: the students themselves,” said Wes Creel, founder of Colleges of Distinction. “Every student has individual needs and their own environment in which they’re most likely to thrive. We’re inspired by the ways in which Linfield University immerses students in their fields, all while fostering a welcoming community that will support them through and beyond their college years.”
Some distinctive Linfield experiences that Colleges of Distinction highlighted are:
- Students at Linfield have an active role in education with opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad and a wealth of intellectual experiences such as the annual Learning Across Boundaries (LAB) Summit.
- With a low student-to-faculty ratio, students have an abundance of opportunities to engage with their instructors on a one-on-one level. Combined with programming and mentorship designed to ensure success, students make connections early and build on them throughout their time at Linfield.
- Activities designed to celebrate diversity, challenge the intellect and deepen connections are bountiful. Students, faculty, staff and alumni rally around Linfield’s proud athletics programs and the flourishing McMinnville and Portland communities provide opportunities for off-campus enrichment.
- In 2022, Linfield was ranked the top school in Oregon for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report; the No. 1 Liberal Arts College in Oregon for earning performance by Washington Monthly in 2020 and 2021; and the best Oregon college for finding a job in 2019-22 by Zippia.
See additional information on Linfield’s ranking and accolades at linfield.edu/rankings.
About Colleges of Distinction
Since 2000, Colleges of Distinction has been committed to honoring schools throughout the U.S. for true excellence in higher education. The member schools within the Colleges of Distinction consortium distinguish themselves through their dedicated focus on the undergraduate experience. Its website provides dynamic college profiles, customized tools, and resources for students, parents, and high school counselors. For more information, and to learn how to become a College of Distinction, visit CollegesofDistinction.com.
