Campbell University has been identified as one of the top 100 schools in the Southeast, according to a survey conducted by The Princeton Review, a New York publisher of college rankings based on student feedback. The survey findings are published in the 2003-2004 guide The Best of Southeastern Colleges.

“Each college listed had to meet two criteria,” said Robert Franek, lead author of the guide. “First, it had to meet our criteria for academic excellence within its region. Second, we had to be able to survey its students anonymously, either through our on-line survey or our paper survey distributed and collected on campuses.”

Generally between 125 and 150 students are surveyed on 70 questions dealing with the school’s academics, campus life, student body, and the students themselves. The narrative profiles in the guide include extensive and candid feedback about Campbell.

Feedback from Campbell students characterized the university as possessing a “rock-solid reputation in education” and being a “good Christian-based school.” Other attributes mentioned were small class size, the popular college radio station, and a friendly, helpful faculty.

“The students choosing to attend Campbell University support the survey criteria,” said Herb Kerner, dean of Admissions and Financial Aid. “The freshmen averages for the class of 2004 are impressive and indicate that some of the highest academically qualified students to date have chosen to become part of our student body. This year’s class saw an increase of over 30 points on SAT scores, reflecting an average score of 1090.”

The cumulative high school grade point average for the class of 2004 was 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, Kerner added.

“I’ve never had an encounter with anyone at Campbell that I couldn’t talk to,” noted one Campbell student surveyed.

“Most here are very outgoing, and if they do not say ‘Hello’ as they pass, they often have huge smiles on their faces,” said another.

Campbell University is a private Southern Baptist college with an enrollment of over 3,000 students on its main campus in Buies Creek, NC. A total of 38 percent of the students are from out of state, while 3 percent are international students. The ethnic makeup of the student population is 81 percent Caucasian; 2 percent Hispanic; 11 percent African American; and 1 percent Native American.

Other Southeastern schools that made it into the top 100 include Appalachian State University, Duke University, Auburn University, Florida State University, Furman University, and Emory University.

The Princeton Review is known for its test preparation course, admission and education services, and books. It has conducted surveys since 1992, when it first published its annual “Best Colleges” guide offering college rankings based on student ratings of their schools.

Founded in 1887, Campbell University is North Carolina’s second largest private institution and the second largest Baptist university in the world. Located in Buies Creek, NC, just east of the center of the state, Campbell combines academic excellence and Christian commitment.

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