The Office of Polar Careers at Ohio Northern University has announced a record 95 percent placement rate for students who graduated in 2014, according to its six-month assessment report. The new mark is up 1 percent from last year for those students who reported placement.

Ninety-seven percent of the class of 2014 participated in the placement report; this number is up 1 percent from last year and sets a new standard for ONU.

A record 15 academic areas had a 100 percent placement rate: chemistry and biochemistry, communication arts and media studies, education, mathematics, philosophy and religion, technological studies, accounting, finance, international business/economics, management, pharmaceutical business, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and engineering education.

“Our placement rates are among the best in the country,” said Daniel A. DiBiasio, president of Ohio Northern University. “We are committed to continuing and improving upon them as part of The Ohio Northern Promise, which provides a more affordable college education while maintaining the excellent programs and services that have always attracted students to Ohio Northern University.”

With a 7 percent increase from last year, the Dicke College of Business Administration experienced the most growth of any ONU college, just missing a 100 percent placement rate by two students.

Overall, the College of Business Administration had the highest placement rate at 98 percent. The Smull College of Engineering had a 97 percent placement rate, followed by the Raabe College of Pharmacy with a 96 percent placement rate and the Getty College of Arts & Sciences with a 92 percent placement rate.

Justin F. Courtney, director of Polar Careers, said, "I'm delighted to see our students doing so well, as a result of their determination, preparation in the classroom and the support of faculty and staff."

Other academic areas that saw significant increases in their placement rates this year were English, music, nursing, psychology/sociology, marketing, and civil engineering.