UW-Madison ranks ninth in U.S. News report

The University of Wisconsin–Madison ranked ninth among public institutions in annual rankings released today (Aug. 20) in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2010 edition of America’s Best Colleges.

The university also tied for 39th out of 262 national doctoral universities. In 2008, UW–Madison ranked seventh among public universities and tied for 35th among national doctoral institutions.

“This national ranking report is one of several national instruments that provide potentially useful information to students and their families when considering the choice of an institution of higher education,” says UW–Madison Provost Paul DeLuca.

The report also ranked undergraduate engineering programs and business programs; those rankings are based on the judgment of deans and senior faculty who respond to an invitation to nominate peer institutions. UW–Madison’s undergraduate engineering program tied for 12th overall and seventh among public doctoral-granting universities. The Department of Chemical Engineering was one of the five programs recognized by peers. The College of Engineering program’s ranking improved from 13th last year.

The undergraduate business program also was ranked 13th overall in a three-way tie and seventh among public doctoral institutions. The real estate insurance/risk management programs were recognized as among the five most mentioned by peers.

U.S. News also highlights “programs to look for,” in which administrators nominate institutions with strong programs in student academic service areas. The programs mentioned most often are listed, but not ranked. In the most recent report, UW–Madison was recognized for its study abroad program, its undergraduate research/creative projects and for its learning communities, which integrate academics and campus life, often in a residence-hall setting.

U.S. News and World Report uses several criteria to determine overall rankings, including peer assessment, student selectivity, faculty resources, financial resources, graduation and retention rates, graduation performance rate and alumni giving.

The 2010 edition of America’s Best Colleges will be on the U.S. News Web site on Friday, Aug. 21, and on newsstands on Monday, Aug. 24.