"Fiske Guide to Colleges" names University of Richmond to 2014 edition profiling top colleges; notes strong business, international programs

The "Fiske Guide to Colleges," a leading college guidebook, has selected the University of Richmond for its 2014 edition profiling the country's top colleges and universities.

Compiled by former New York Times education editor Edward B. Fiske, the guidebook selects colleges based primarily on academic quality. It includes information about each college's academics, social life, student body, financial aid, campus setting, housing, food and extracurricular activities.

Richmond made two special lists in this year's book for having strong programs in business and international studies.

The university's Robins School of Business is the country's only fully accredited top-tier undergraduate business school that also is part of a top-tier liberal arts university. Bloomberg Businessweek has ranked its overall undergraduate business program among the country's top 25 for eight years in a row and this year named its accounting program to the top 10.

International education plays a significant role at Richmond, with emphasis on both study abroad and attracting international students to study on campus. Around 60 percent of undergraduates participate in an international experience for a semester, year, summer short-term program or internship.

"From the start, Richmond encourages students' intellectual curiosity, teaches communication and critical thinking skills, and instills confidence to pursue opportunities with passion," said Nanci Tessier, vice president for enrollment management. "Our students experience a distinctly integrated education, one that is rich and innovative inside and out of the classroom, and our small class sizes, averaging 16 students, mean close interaction with faculty."

Richmond has been chosen for the Fiske Guide in all 27 years the book has been published. The university consistently ranks as a top-tier liberal arts university and a "best value" by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, SmartMoney magazine, Forbes.com and other leading college guides.