Pleasant weather and strong academics make Biola one of the nation’s “brightest” schools, according to Newsweek, which recently ranked Biola on its list of “25 Great Schools With Great Weather.”

“The schools on this list have two qualities: terrific weather and a smart student body,” the publication states.

Responding to college rankings conducted by other publications, Newsweek decided to produce its own set of college rankings focusing on “real concerns of parents and prospective students,” according to the magazine.

For the weather rankings, Newsweek gave equal weight to climate (the weather’s brightness) and academics (students’ brightness). Using information from the National Center for Education Statistics, The Washington Monthly and College Prowler, among dozens of other sources, Newsweek researchers selected 25 colleges for the list for those students “who don’t want to sacrifice sun for school.”

“With an average temperature of 63 degrees, 186 sunny days and only 35 rainy ones every year, La Mirada, California-based Biola University is counted as one of the schools with the best climate,” reads Newsweek’s description of Biola.

Biola was also recently named as one of 28 “Up and Coming” National Universities by U.S. News & World Report, which puts it among institutions that have recently implemented the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities, according to the rankings guide.

Written by Jenna Bartlo, Media Relations Coordinator. Jenna can be reached at (562) 777-4061 or through email at jenna.l.bartlo@biola.edu.