AMHERST, N.Y. -- Daemen College has been ranked among the top 10 in the nation on the “35 Best Value Small Colleges for a Biology Degree” list released by Best Value Schools, an online guide to the best values in college education in the country.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the top institutions in the nation for a degree in the field of biology,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson. “Our academic excellence, educational value, and many learning opportunities truly make a Daemen education an outstanding experience for our students.”

On the 2017 list, Daemen is ranked No. 7 among small schools in the U.S. that offer a bachelor’s degree in biology or a related area. The college was specifically cited for its unique bachelor’s degree in biology/master’s degree in cytotechnology program offered in partnership with Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

According to Best Value Schools, “What truly sets Daemen apart from other schools on this list is its biology/cytotechnology curriculum, a one-of-a-kind program that grants students the rare opportunity to earn a graduate-level cancer research degree in just five years.”

Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, said, “This ranking speaks to the quality of the cytotechnology degree that’s offered at an exceptional value and also the strength of our partnership with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, which has been integral to the success of this highly specialized program.”

Daemen was also praised for its undergraduate research initiatives, teaching laboratories, field study opportunities, and student-faculty ratio among a “myriad of benefits that resulted in Daemen’s solid standing in our top biology degree ranking.”

Daemen is the only college in Western New York and one of four in New York State selected for the latest list, placing it among prestigious institutions such as Colgate University, California Institute of Technology, and Middlebury College.

The “Best Value Small Colleges for a Biology Degree” ranking includes institutions with 3,000 or fewer students and offer a minimum of three relevant programs for students seeking a bachelor’s degree in biology or related area. Rankings are also based on affordability, net price and overall undergraduate graduation rate.