The organization's annual rankings follow its study of admissions web sites at more than 3,000 postsecondary institutions. Its Enrollment Power Index (EPI), a research-based analysis, rates how well the functionality and design of college and university web sites provide information to potential students to take them from prospect to applicant. It provides a detailed analysis of trends and indicators of what institutions can do to improve the effectiveness of their sites.

Enhanced Site Designed With Students In Mind

"We have worked very hard to make our admissions web pages easy to access and use for our prospective students," said Leni Patterson, PC's dean of admissions and financial aid. "We are delighted to have been recognized for those efforts by NRCCUA."

Presbyterian College's admissions site placed fifth nationally among liberal arts colleges and fifth among colleges and universities in the South.

The site was enhanced two years ago with a "PC Pals" section that permits prospective students to interact with college faculty, administrators, and each other in an online community. It now includes a virtual tour of campus, complete information on academic majors and minors, an online application form, thorough information on financial aid and tuition, and a section exclusively for international students.

Prospective students and their parents also may download a complete copy of the college's catalog or contact the admissions counselor who represents their city or state.

Today's Internet-Savvy Students Demand Latest Technology

"With students more Internet-savvy than ever before, it is important for admissions sections of university web sites to be up to date with the latest technology and have the information students expect," NRCCUA president Don Munce said. "Students visit these sites to help them make important decisions about their future, and a quality web site can make all the difference."

Munce said only 157 institutions received an A grade based on its EPI. Of the 3,015 postsecondary institutions whose sites were graded, he said, fewer than 30% earned A or B grades

"In order to satisfy prospective students and encourage them to apply, colleges and universities need to stay current with the changing times and continue to expand and enhance their admissions Web sites," Munce said.

The study took into account web site design and ease of navigation, prominence of an admissions office link on the institution's home page, the overall admissions web page, online access to admissions materials, additional admissions information, and the ability to contact the admissions office. In all, 34 different criteria were examined in those areas.

"Our in-depth and comprehensive research tells us that innovative admissions Web sites are increasingly more important to students as they consider their college options," said Ron Morris, NRCCUA director of admissions marketing research. "With all of the online technology there is today, students want - and expect - a site that they can relate to and navigate easily."

Visit PC's admissions site>>

Read the full NRCCUA report >> (PDF)