University Remains a 'Top Tier' School in U.S. News 'Best American Colleges' Survey

The University of Arkansas continues to place among the first tier of national universities in the 2012 edition of America’s Best Colleges, the annual consumer survey prepared by U.S. News and World Report. The University of Arkansas is the only higher education institution in Arkansas listed among the 200 schools in the top of the national rankings.

The survey’s rankings are based on such categories as academic reputation, faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, student quality and alumni giving.

“The University of Arkansas continues to maintain a strong and reputable position in the annual U.S. News survey,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “The survey produces a composite based on a wide range of factors—some quantifiable, some intangible. Overall, the survey results produce two meaningful conclusions. First, we are indeed a high-performing academic institution. And second, we maintain widespread respect among higher education leaders as a nationally prominent public university.

“While I recognize that this annual survey is primarily a consumer resource for parents and students, this ‘score card’ rates us highly among the nation’s universities and colleges. The U.S. News ranking speaks well of our students, faculty, and staff.”

The university also remains in the category “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” a list of 80 national universities that the publication describes as being places 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, and top 30 public business schools.

The 2012 rankings were released Tuesday, Sept. 13. U.S. News and World Report informed each college and university of its ranking information the previous day.