Kent State Ranks Among the Best
National Universities by U.S. News

Kent State received a coveted spot in the first-tier list of Best National Universities. The exclusive rankings, which include rankings of more than 1,400 schools nationwide, are available Aug. 17 at www.usnews.com/college and also will appear in the September issue of U.S. News & World Report, available on newsstands starting Aug. 31. Kent State ranked 183 out of the 1,400 ranked schools.

Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be one of the most comprehensive research tools for students and parents considering higher education opportunities.

“Receiving the recognition by U.S. News helps confirm what we already know – that Kent State is one of the best universities in the country,” said Kent State President Lester A. Lefton. “I’m pleased that we earned a spot in the first-tier list. The ranking gives Kent State added visibility, particularly in front of an audience of parents and students who are interested in reviewing options in higher education.”

The 2011 Best Colleges edition provides a thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality include peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, “graduation rate performance” and high school counselor ratings of colleges.

U.S. News has made some significant changes to the 2011 Best Colleges' ranking methodology and presentation. This year, schools are designated National Universities, National Liberal Arts Colleges, Regional Universities and Regional Colleges. The numerical rank of the top 75 percent of schools in each category is displayed, up from 50 percent. Graduation rate performance is more heavily weighted, now accounting for 7.5 percent of the final score compared to 5 percent previously for the National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges categories only. For the first time, the opinions of high school guidance counselors are factored into the rankings. For more details on these changes, go to www.usnews.com/collegemeth.

For more information about Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges.

For more information on Kent State, visit www.kent.edu.