FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The 2009 edition of America’s Best Colleges, theannual consumer survey prepared by U.S. News and World Report, lists the University of Arkansas in the top tier of national universities.

The University of Arkansas is the only institution in the state ranked in the first tier of national universities in America’s Best Colleges.

“It’s always good to be recognized among the best universities in the country,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “The U.S. News and World Report survey is aimed at parents and students who are trying to decide which university is the best fit for them, and as one source of information for them, it is valuable. It also gives the university a sense of the progress we are making, the recognition our improvements are getting and the areas we still need to improve.” 

The Sam M. Walton College of Business was again ranked among the top 50 business programs. Walton College is again tied for 24^th place among public business schools.

U.S. News and World Report bases its rankings on seven categories, each given a different weight toward the final ranking: peer assessment (25 percent), retention rates (20 percent), faculty resources (20 percent), student selectivity (15 percent), financial resources (10 percent), graduation rates (5 percent) and alumni giving (5 percent). Peer assessment is the evaluation made by college officials from other universities.