U.S. News: Ohio State among nation's best colleges

The Ohio State University has been named one of the "best up and coming universities" in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The publication's 2009 edition of America's Best Colleges released today ranked Ohio State as 14th best among national universities in the new “up and coming” category, which is based on schools that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus, or facilities.

In addition, the university maintained its place among the publication's ranking of the nation's top 50 public universities. Ohio State is again ranked 19th.

“I am thrilled that the creativity of Ohio State's students, faculty, and staff is being recognized nationally,” said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. “We are among the most forward-thinking, student-centered universities in the country, and the progressive work of our faculty and students accelerates each and every day.”

The publication also lists three Ohio State initiatives as outstanding examples of programs linked to student success. The university's First Year Experience (FYE) program is recognized for helping connect first-year students to the university and the larger community. It also cites Ohio State's Learning Communities, residential programs which allow students to take courses as a group. And for the first time ever, Ohio State's Service Learning program is noted among programs that require community service as an instructional strategy.

As a top-20 public university, Ohio State is again the state's top public institution.

Among all 260 national institutions rated, both public and private, Ohio State ranked 56th overall, up from 57th last year.

To reach its conclusions, institutions are compared in categories that include academic reputation, freshmen retention, faculty resources, graduation rates, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

U.S. News rankings, which are based on 2007 statistics, note improvement in several categories. The freshman retention improved from 90 to 91%, and the percentage of freshmen in the top 10% of their high school class increased from 43% to 52%.

The university expects to welcome its best and brightest class this fall for the 14th year in a row.

In addition to the overall institutional rankings, the magazine also annually ranks undergraduate programs in business and engineering. Among both private and public universities, Ohio State's Fisher College of Business was rated 17th in the nation, and 8th among public universities.

Among Ph.D.-granting private and public colleges, Ohio State's College of Engineering is rated 28th overall and 17th among publics in the category.

Earlier this year, the magazine published a list of "“Top 'First-Choice' Colleges” – those considered most popular among applicants, based on yield numbers for fall 2006. Yield is the percentage of applicants accepted by a university who end up enrolling at that institution in the fall. In that list, Ohio State ranked 19th most popular in the nation, and 8th among public universities. With a 51% yield rate in 2006, Ohio State ranked highest in the Big Ten.

Founded in 1870, The Ohio State University is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 52,000 students enrolled at its main Columbus campus, 18 colleges and 170 majors, the university offers its students exceptional breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions. A national research powerhouse, the university ranks seventh among all public universities in research expenditures and a remarkable second place when it comes to industry-sponsored research.