AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University is among the top 50 public national universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings out today.
Iowa State is tied for 46th among 173 best national public universities and 101st overall in the “Best National Universities” category, which includes 281 American universities offering a broad range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees. Last year, Iowa State ranked 44th among public universities and 97th among all national universities.
In biological/agricultural engineering, Iowa State is the 3rd ranked program among all national universities, and 3rd among public universities. In materials engineering, ISU is ranked 10th among public universities and 17th among all national universities.
U.S. News ranks undergraduate engineering programs that are accredited by ABET (formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). The rankings are based solely on a survey of engineering deans and senior faculty at all accredited programs, conducted during spring 2012. Among public universities’ engineering schools whose highest degree is a doctorate, ISU’s College of Engineering ranks 22nd. Among all national universities, Iowa State’s engineering program ranks 39th (a four-way tie with Brown University, Providence, R.I.; the University of California, Santa Barbara; Washington University in St. Louis; and Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.). Last year, Iowa State was tied for 22nd among public programs and ranked 38th overall.
Iowa State’s College of Business is ranked 50th among public institutions, and 87th overall among AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)-accredited programs.
Iowa State is listed alphabetically among national universities identified as “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” described as those schools “where non-superstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving.”
U.S. News has once again included Iowa State's learning communities among its "Programs to Look For" -- outstanding examples of academic programs commonly linked to student success. Just 18 university learning communities are listed; 11 of those are at public institutions.
In addition, Iowa State is included in U.S. News’ top 100 rankings by high school counselors. Iowa State is ranked No. 83, up from No. 100 last year.
The 2013 Best Colleges guidebook will be in stores Sept. 18 and is available online at the U.S. News Store.