Whitworth University in Washington has been named the highest ranking master's-level university in the Pacific Northwest.

For the third consecutive year, the Christian liberal arts college has been named Washington Monthly's highest-ranking master's-level university in the Pacific Northwest. Whitworth ranks No. 11 among 671 colleges and universities nationwide. Washington Monthly magazine was founded in 1969 and is based in Washington, D.C.

Washington Monthly's master's-level universities are classified as schools that offer a range of undergraduate and master's-level programs, but few doctoral degrees. In keeping with the magazine's ranking criteria of social mobility, service and research, Whitworth's high ranking could be attributed to the university's involvement with community-oriented programs such as Act Six; service-focused projects such as Whitworth's annual Community Building Day; and faculty members' active, collaborative research with colleagues and with students.

Creighton University (Neb.), tops Washington Monthly's national list, followed by Truman State University (Mo.), Valparaiso University (Ind.) and Trinity University (Texas). Other schools in the Pacific Northwest that made the overall master's-level university rankings include Pacific University (No. 15), Gonzaga University (No. 37), Seattle University (No. 38), University of Portland (No. 45), Pacific Lutheran University (No. 53), Seattle Pacific University (No. 124), George Fox University (No. 186) and Concordia University (No. 199).

The complete rankings can be accessed online at https://www.washingtonmonthly.com/college_guide/rankings-2014/masters-universities-rank-all.php

Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of 3,000 students, offers 60 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.