PRINCETON REVIEW RAISES ACADEMIC RATING FOR UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS; TIED FOR THIRD IN SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. --- The Princeton Review has raised the academic rating for the University of Arkansas to 80 (from 78) in the 2003 edition of The Best 345 Colleges, which would rank the U of A as tied for third in academics among the 12 major universities in the Southeastern Conference.

"This is wonderful news for the University of Arkansas because it is yet another third-party testimony to our rising national reputation," said Roger L. Williams, associate vice chancellor for University relations. "It’s particularly gratifying to see our talented, committed faculty and our magnificent students being recognized across the country for the academic climate they have created here.

"It’s also good news for the state of Arkansas, as it’s an indication that the taxpayers, our private benefactors, and our supporters everywhere are seeing their investment in the University of Arkansas pay handsome dividends," he added. "If you want evidence that we are quickly becoming a nationally competitive, student-centered research university, here it is."

If the University of Arkansas were ranked on the basis of academics in its athletic conference, the Southeastern Conference, it would rank as tied for third with the University of Georgia, also an 80, behind Vanderbilt, 92, and the University of Florida, 82.

In addition, the University of Arkansas would be tied for second in academics in the Big 12, behind only Texas—Austin, 81, and alongside Texas A&M (80) and the University of Colorado (80).

Selection to the Princeton Review’s Best 345 Colleges is based on a survey of 100,000 students nationwide to 70 questions. An average of 300 students is surveyed at each institution selected for inclusion. Other criteria include admissions selectivity, campus life, and financial facts.

Academic ratings are on a scale of one to four stars, involving "how hard students work at the school and how much they get back for their efforts," the guidebook states. Factors weighed include "how many hours students study, and the quality of the students the school attracts," as well as students’ assessments of their professors’ abilities and helpfulness.

In moving from a score of 78 to 80, the University of Arkansas also was elevated from a two-star institution to a three-star (out of four) institution in the academic category.

But there is more. In its financial rating, the University of Arkansas received a score of 90, up from 89 last year. The increase qualified the University as a four-star institution in that regard.

In quality of life, the University was rated an 82, up from 81 last year.

In admissions selectivity, the University slipped a point, from 80 last year to 79 this year.

The Princeton Review lists the following summary comments from the UA student survey on aspects of campus life:

• Great food on campus
• Campus easy to get around
• No one cheats
• Almost everyone plays intramural sports
• Everyone loves the Razorbacks
• Ethnic diversity on campus
• Lots of TAs teach upper-level courses
• Student government is unpopular
• Lab facilities are great

The opening statement in this year’s guide reads thus: "The flagship campus of the state university system, University of Arkansas—Fayetteville prides itself as a research institute that also provides quality education to undergraduates."

Two comments from students are as follows:

"Surprisingly, U of A has kept me academically challenged. Coming in, I assumed this was a 'party school,’ but all my teachers have been really superb, and my academic advisor has been great."

"The professors I have had have been awesome! They’re always willing to go out of their way to help students out."

What follows are rankings of the University of Arkansas within four major athletic conferences on the basis of the academic rating provided by this year’s guidebook.