(Posted August 29, 2024)

Student Surveys Put Juniata Among Leading Colleges for Best Classroom Experience and Most Accessible Professors 

HUNTINGDON, Pa.—Juniata College is named one of the nation's best colleges for undergraduates according to newly published recommendations by The Princeton Review. The education services company recently published its annual college guide, “The Best 390 Colleges: 2025 Edition.” Only about 15% of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled in the book.  

The Princeton Review chooses the colleges for the book based on data it annually collects from surveys of 2,000 college administrators about their institutions’ academic offerings. The company also reviews data from surveys it conducts of college students attending the 390 best colleges.  

"We salute Juniata College for its outstanding academics, and many other impressive offerings. We recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review's editor-in-chief and lead author of “The Best 390 Colleges.”    

In its profile on Juniata, The Princeton Review editors write that the college provides students with two faculty advisors and offers programs of emphasis that allow students to design their own educational plan or select designated fields of study. The book’s editors also make note the summer retreats for incoming students, known as Inbound, that let students “get an idea of what college life is like, but without having to go to class.”  

Students speak about "excellent science programs," and “outstanding education.” Student comments highlight the attention each professor gives, citing “superior education through meaningful personal interaction.” While Juniata is nestled in a small town, students say they find “always something to do” at the college and enjoy the proximity to Raystown Lake. 

“Juniata College is pleased to be selected as one of the country’s best colleges by The Princeton Review,” said Jim Troha, president of Juniata College. “What stands out to Juniata College students is the enriching academic experience and strong faculty connections that lead to success on campus and in future careers.” 

The Princeton Review does not rank its best 390 colleges. Rather, the book features ranking lists that feature the top 25 schools in each category. The ranking lists are entirely based on The Princeton Review’s surveys of 168,000 students who attend the 390 best colleges.  

Juniata College appears on the following lists within “The Best 390 Colleges”:  

·       Lots of Race/Class Interaction (#6): students were asked whether “different types of students interact frequently and easily”  

·       Best Classroom Experience (#17): students were asked to “rate their professors, classrooms and lab facilities, amount of in-class time devoted to discussion, and the percentage of classes they attend”  

·       Most Accessible Professors (#21): students were asked whether professors were available outside of the classroom to meet and connect  

·       Great Financial Aid (#25): students were asked whether they liked the financial aid package they received 

Information on the student survey process and methodology for the ranking lists is on The Princeton Review’s website here. 

The school profiles and ranking lists in “The Best 390 Colleges” are posted here (at: 

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/best-colleges) where they can be searched for free.  

“The Best 390 Colleges” is one of more than 150 Princeton Review books in a line published by Penguin Random House. The annual book and its rankings have been featured on NBC TODAY more than two dozen times and referenced by many other media from NPR to The Wall Street Journal and The Chronicle of Higher Education.  

About Juniata College 

Founded in 1876, Juniata is an independent, co-educational college of liberal arts and sciences that draws students from more than 35 U.S. states and dozens of nations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania and South America. Juniata’s exceptional programs in science and education; innovative business and international studies offerings; signature programs in peace studies, museum studies, and integrated media arts; and experience-driven humanities offerings pair with the Juniata College Curriculum’s focus on local and global engagement. Students use the College’s Program of Emphasis (POE) system to work with two faculty advisers to pursue varied interests and talents. 

About The Princeton Review 

The Princeton Review is a leading tutoring, test prep, and college admissions services company. Every year, it helps millions of college- and graduate school–bound students as well as working professionals achieve their education and career goals through its many education services and products. These include online and in-person courses delivered by a network of more than 4,000 teachers and tutors; online resources; more than 150 print and digital books published by Penguin Random House; and dozens of categories of school rankings. Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review is now in its 43rd year. The company’s Tutor.com brand, now in its 24th year, is one of the largest online tutoring services in the U.S. It comprises a community of thousands of tutors who have delivered more than 27 million tutoring sessions. The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, NY. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. For more information, visit PrincetonReview.com and the company's Media Center. Follow the company on X (formerly Twitter) (@ThePrincetonRev) and Instagram (@theprincetonreview). 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.