Baldwin City ? As they walked between classes Wednesday on the Baker University campus, freshmen Amanda Love and Rachel Lund were already aware the school had been named the top regional university in the state and the 44th such university in the Midwest.

Moreover, the two freshmen said they were aware Baker was on the list last year when they were deciding where they would go to college.

It was announced Wednesday that U.S. News and World Report selected Baker as the 44th best regional university in a 12-state area of Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. The Baldwin City school was named the best regional school in Kansas for the fourth-straight year. Regional universities were defined as those schools that offer a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs but few, if any, doctoral programs. According to U.S. News and World Report’s website, regional schools tend to draw students most heavily from their home and surroundings states.

The rankings are based on peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, student-to-faculty ratio, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and graduation rate performance. The magazine collects its data from the universities and several other sources.

Love and Lund said several of those criteria were important considerations in their decisions to attend Baker. Lawrence resident Love said the student-to-faculty ratio steered her to to the Baldwin City campus, rather than Kansas University.

“I learned it was half what it would be at KU,” said the accounting and international business major. “I just felt people would know me better, and my advisor would push to keep me on track.”

That helps with retention and students successfully earning degrees, the two students said. That was especially important to her parents, said nursing major Lund.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Baker President Lynne Murray said the magazine’s ranking only confirmed what she has discovered since taking over the reins at the university on July 1.

“I have learned quickly of Baker’s reputation as one of the premier private universities in the region,” she said. “The latest ranking reveals once again Baker’s longstanding commitment to the students and the university’s mission to provide a well-rounded education. We will continue to offer high-quality programs that will lead to enriching personal and professional lives for our graduates.”

Murray also noted the magazine ranked Baker No. 1 among Kansas regional colleges for alumni giving.

“Our generous alumni remain committed to supporting our academic programs,” Murray said. “They continue to look out for the best interests of our students.”

Kevin Kropf, Baker University senior director of admissions, said the ranking was a useful starting point in the recruitment of students.

“Rankings are certainly one thing influencing students,” he said. “They help us get a foot in the door.”

It’s the school’s job to build on that positive first impression through the recruitment process and during on-campus visits, Kropf said. A real value of the U.S. News and World Report rankings are that they provide students and parents a wealth of information on all schools in one spot, he said.

The magazine’s rankings can be viewed at usnews.com/rankings.