Northwestern is Peace Corps Leader for Ninth Year

EVANSTON, Ill. --- For the ninth straight year, Northwestern University is ranked in the top 25 of medium-sized schools for the contributions of its alumni to the Peace Corps.

Twenty-nine undergraduate alumni are serving this year, putting Northwestern at No. 11 and tied with the University of Vermont. Last year, Northwestern was ranked No. 12. Since the Peace Corp's inception 47 years ago, 867 Northwestern alumni have served as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Among medium-sized schools, defined as those with between 5,000 and 15,000 undergraduates, George Washington University ranked No. 1 this year with 57 volunteers.

Although it is not a requirement for service, the majority of volunteers serving in the Peace Corps have been college graduates. Currently, 83 percent of volunteers have earned an undergraduate degree, with 11 percent of those also possessing a graduate degree.

Applications to serve in the Peace Corps increased 16 percent in 2009, the largest boost in the past five years. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.