#2 Ranking in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine...

So, I noticed in Portland Magazine that UP was ranked #2 to Whitman in the October issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine among all of the colleges in the Northwest. The complete listing of the top 10 were:

1. Whitman College
2. University of Portland
3. Reed College
4. Gonzaga University
5. Wilammette University
6. Multnomah University
7. Pacific Lutheran University
8. University of Washington
9. Whitworth University
10. Seattle University

Does anyone know what the criteria was in the rankings? I find it odd at best that UP is also ranked with liberal arts schools like Whitman and Reed as well as with huge state universities... I'll take it though.

So, I went to the Seattle Public library today and aswered my own question. Among other things, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine was impressed with UP for:

* a 93% retention rate from Freshman to Sophomore year (which seemed to be the highest of any northwest college as far as I could tell)
* that more high school students sent their SAT scores to UP than any college in Oregon.
* and possibly: students giving back financially to the University and getting involved in the community (this was implied by the intro to the article).
* the soccer team and noted alumni: Tiffany Milbrett and Jane Auel, author of Clan of the Cave Bear.