U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings of national colleges, released today, placed AU 85th, one higher from last year's ranking. In 2004 the University jumped to 86th from 99th the year before. Each year an increasingly competitive freshmen class raises AU's profile. This year's class by the numbers:
Academics
Applications: 13,596 Admit rate: 51% Average GPA: 3.55 Average SAT score: 1285 Average ACT score: 28 Percent of admitted students in top 10 percent of high school class: 52 Percent of class receiving financial aid or merit scholarship: 68
Race and gender
Percent of males to females: 36% to 64% Ethnically diverse: 18 % Of these: Black or African American 29% Asian 27% Multiracial 20% Other Hispanic American 16% Alaska Native/American Indian .5% Native Hawaiian .5% Puerto Rican 4% Mexican American 3%
By region
New York, New Jersey and Delaware: 27% Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia: 18% West and Southwest: 12% New England: 12% DC Metropolitan Area: 11% South: 10% Midwest: 9% U.S. Territories: .5% International: .5%
Most popular intended majors
International Studies Government Communication Business Administration Biology Justice/Law & Society History Psychology Language & Foreign Studies Performing Arts