U.S. News and World Report ranked AU 79th in its list of the best universities in the nation, up from 84th last year.
AU scored 47 points out of 100 – putting the university in the first tier of rankings, or in the top 75 percent of schools – based on ranking criteria that included graduation rates and the recommendations of high school counselors. AU shares the 79th spot with other schools that also scored 47 points: Baylor University, Miami University – Oxford, Michigan State University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and the University of Alabama.
Other District schools that were ranked by U.S. News and World Report include Georgetown University (No. 21), George Washington University (No. 51), Howard University (No. 104) and Catholic University (No. 120).
In addition, last week on Aug. 11, Forbes ranked AU No. 260 out of 610 schools in its list of America’s best colleges, between the University of Oregon and Saint John’s University. Georgetown ranked No. 52, GWU was No. 291, Catholic ranked No. 342 and Howard was No. 584. This ranking system is primarily based on student feedback and postgraduate success.
The American Council of Trustees and Alumni ranked schools on their required courses in the following areas: composition, literature, foreign language, U.S. government or history, economics, mathematics and natural or physical science. AU received a C, as the General Education Program only requires students to take classes in composition, mathematics and science. Other District schools received similar grades – Catholic, Howard and GWU all received C’s. Georgetown got a D, and the University of the District of Columbia scored a B.
sdazio@theeagleonline.com
