University Ranked Among Best of 'Best American Colleges'

The University of Arkansas remains in the first tier of national universities in an expanded and revised edition of America's Best Colleges, the annual consumer survey prepared by U.S. News and World Report. The 2011 edition includes more institutions and has revised both its ranking system and its methodology. The University of Arkansas is the only higher education institution in Arkansas to be listed in the first tier national rankings.

"It is always encouraging to see that the improvements we are making at the University of Arkansas are being recognized nationally," said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. "The annual U.S. News survey is primarily a consumer resource for parents and students, to help them decide which university is the best fit for them. Beyond that, like any 'score card' this helps us to see how we match up: the gains we are making and the areas where we still need to improve to remain competitive with the best universities and colleges in the country."

The University of Arkansas showed improvement in several of the categories that U.S. News used as a basis for its rankings. The freshman retention rate, graduation rate and alumni giving rate all increased by one percentage point from 2010. The university's overall score of 35 in the survey represents an increase of two full points over its 2010 score.

The university was again included in the category: "A-Plus Schools for B Students," a list of 80 national universities where high school students who are "nonsuperstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving."

On the individual college level, the Sam M. Walton College of Business was again among the top 50 business programs among national universities, ranked 42 overall, and 24 among public business schools.

This year U.S. News surveyed 1,472 colleges and universities, an increase of more than 1,000 institutions from the previous year. The 2011 edition of America's Best Colleges expanded its first tier of schools to include a greater percentage of schools in its highest rankings, and replaced its previous "third tier" category with a "second tier" group.

The publication also changed the method for computing its rankings. For example, a category that was previously based on "peer assessment" by other higher education administrators now includes assessments from high school counselors, to provide a broader "academic reputation index." Graduation rate has also been given more weight in determining an institution's overall score.