U of A Moves Up in 'Best College' Rankings for 2016

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas moved up seven places in the ranking of national public universities and six places among all national universities to remain a top-tier national university in the 2016 edition of “Best Colleges” published by U.S. News and World Report.

The University of Arkansas tied for 62nd place with public institutions such as Arizona State University, Louisiana State University and the University of Kentucky.

The U of A tied for 129th place among all national institutions. Nearly 1,600 four-year colleges and universities in the country are assessed by U.S. News.

In individual categories, the Sam M. Walton College of Business improved its ranking to 27th among public undergraduate business schools, up from 29th last year; among both public and private institutions Walton moved up from 45th last year to 43rd in this year’s ranking.

The University of Arkansas was also included again among the “A+ Schools for B Students,” defined as a school “where nonsuperstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving.”

“This ranking is a gratifying recognition of some of the improvements we have made over the past year and will continue to work toward,” said interim Chancellor Dan Ferritor. “We’ve realized better retention and graduation rates, improved faculty resources and per student spending. Our percentage of alumni who give remains strong with 26 percent giving back and essentially expressing their satisfaction.

“We know the University of Arkansas is a great university and will just keep getting better,” Ferritor said. “And that’s what’s important.”

The “Best College” rankings are based on several factors, including graduation and retention rates; “reputation” assessments by top university officials at other institutions; a similar assessment by high school guidance counsellors; faculty resources – which includes class size, faculty salaries, and percentage of full faculty who are full-time; quality of students, based largely on test scores; financial resources, the per-student spending on instruction, research, student services and other educational expenditures; and the percentage of alumni giving.

This year the U of A improved in its class size rating – with more small classes and fewer large classes – while the graduation rate also improved from 60 percent to 62 percent.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.