Mercyhurst University has reached No. 37 in the 2014 edition of U.S. World News. Since last year, the school has climbed 10 spots among 180 master’s universities in the Northern region.

This ranking is based on a set of metrics that are said to reflect the quality of post-secondary education, such as freshman retention (80 percent), graduation rates (59 percent), selectivity of admissions (79 percent) and the percentage of alumni who continually donate to their alma mater (21 percent).

“This ranking proves to the outside community that we’ve improved from year to year,” Mercyhurst Vice President for Academic Affairs Philip J. Belfiore Ph.D. said.

“It validates what we told [students] from the beginning.”

Belfiore said that the faculty is dedicated to offering the best teaching possible. Mercyhurst is always looking for ways to improve, which is why it continually rises on the charts.

Before 2008, Mercyhurst consistently ranked among the top 20 Comprehensive Colleges in the Northern region. As the number of graduate programs increased, Mercyhurst was moved to a different category where it continues to rise each year.

Mercyhurst has also been recognized for its campus and has tied for fifth best showing in the state with King’s College. It was topped by Villanova University, the University of Scranton, St. Joseph’s University and LaSalle University.

Mercyhurst prides itself in its hands-on learning experience that students receive in their first semester. It offers a wide variety of undergraduate programs as well as excellent varsity sports teams.

Mercyhurst is always looking for ways to improve. Last academic school year, new faculty members were added to supplement new programs. The university is dedicated to the students and their futures.

According to a survey taken by the Mercyhurst University class of 2012, positive student placement, defined as employed and/or continuing education was 93.2 percent (up 1.2 percent from the previous year.) Ninety-two percent of those employed graduates felt that Mercyhurst prepared them for their current position.

“What builds the dynamic of the university is a strong faculty engaging with really good students,” said Belfiore. “Our eye is always on that prize of being the most engaging faculty, working with students in our disciplines and we don’t waver from that.”