Goucher College No. 1 in Study Abroad Programs, Princeton Review Ranks

By Sonia Su

Attention high school upperclassmen and parents—if you're searching for the best study abroad program, look no further than Towson's ownGoucher College.

The coeducational liberal arts college on 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd. has the most popular study abroad program, according to The Princeton Review's 2014 college rankings.

"I'm really proud of that," says Daniel Norton, associate dean forInternational Studies at Goucher College. "It's very much part of the culture. It's the one thread that ties everything together."

The rankings, compiled annually since 1992, were based on a survey of 126,000 students at 378 "top colleges," according to a press release.

Norton says that Goucher's study abroad program is part of the school's identity and is what sets students apart.

Goucher's class of 2013 had 330 students, who studied abroad 385 times in 60 different countries, Norton says. That is a 120 percent participation rate.

And how does the school manage such high participation? Every student is required to study abroad at least once, Norton says. Of the graduating class, 50 students studied abroad twice, five went three times and one even went abroad five times, Norton says.

The college offers 12 faculty-led programs each year, and students who participate must take a pre-course the semester before going abroad to prepare, Norton says. Students can choose to study abroad for as little as three weeks or as long as a year, according to its website.

Goucher is also ranked among The Princeton Review's best colleges in the Northeast.

Other Baltimore-area schools that made the rankings includeLoyola University (No. 2 in Best Athletic Facilities, No. 3 in Best College Dorms) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (No. 16 in low hard liquor usage).

However, not all rankings were positive. UMBC came in at No. 16 for the Least Beautiful Campus, Johns Hopkins University rankedNo. 16 in Town-Gown Relations are Strained and Loyola University ranked No. 16 in Elections? What Elections? (least politically active).

Nevertheless, UMBC and JHU are still ranked among the best value colleges and among the best colleges in the Northeast.

See all 62 categories of The Princeton Review's 2014 college rankings, and get your print copy of the 2014 rankings.