Indiana State University is once again considered one the best colleges in the Midwest, according to The Princeton Review.

News that the national education services company has included Indiana State on its “Best Midwestern Colleges” list for the eighth year in a row came the same week ISU found itself for the first time on Forbes magazine’s list of “America’s Top Colleges.”

“Both of these recognitions are significant because The Princeton Review list relies largely on student surveys while the Forbes rankings are also strongly influenced by student satisfaction as well as job placement and success and relatively low levels of student debt,” said Dan Bradley, ISU president. “We are pleased to be recognized for high levels of student satisfaction and post-graduate success while also helping students keep the cost of their college education affordable.”

Students surveyed by The Princeton Review describe Indiana State as comfortable and affordable and say “it has the vibe of a big state school while offering personal attention to students as a small college would.”

Professors “care whether you succeed” and are “very approachable and willing to help,” students said.

ISU students also praise the attractive, “nice-sized campus” and the university’s strong social life, including an active Greek system and plenty of extra-curricular activities.

Colleges and universities recognized among The Princeton Review’s regional best were selected mainly for their excellent academic programs, said Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher.

“From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisors whose recommendations we invite,” Panek said. “We also take into account what students reported to us about their campus experiences. Only schools that permit us to independently survey their students are eligible to be considered for our regional best lists.”

A total of 153 institutions in 12 states, ranging from the Dakotas to Ohio, are on the 2012 “Best in the Midwest” list. The Forbes list includes 650 institutions in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

More information about The Princeton Review, including the complete list of best colleges by region, may be found at http://www.princetonreview.com.

In addition to the “Best in the Midwest” list, The Princeton Review has recognized the MBA program in Indiana State’s Donald W. Scott College of Business among the best in the nation for the past four straight years.

The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges and universities on its regional lists. The company is based in Framingham, Mass. and has editorial offices in New York City and test preparation centers across the country and abroad. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.

Media contact and writer: Dave Taylor, media relations director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3743 or dave.taylor@indstate.edu