Valpo continues to be cited for excellence in U.S. News

Thu, August 20, 2009 |

Valparaiso University continues to be identified as one of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report magazine in its annual rankings, and has received additional recognition for its outstanding teaching, educational value and excellent engineering program.

The University has been identified as one of the Midwest's top-ranked, master's-level universities for the 21st consecutive year, earning a No. 5 ranking in quality. Valpo also was cited for possessing faculty devoted to excellence in undergraduate education, ranking No. 3 in the Midwest on a list of institutions distinguished by "A Strong Commitment to Teaching."

The rankings appear in the current issue of U.S. News & World Report, which goes on sale at newsstands Thursday, Aug. 20, and the book "America's Best Colleges."

Among specialty programs, Valpo's College of Engineering continues to be recognized as one of the nation's best engineering programs. Based on a survey of engineering deans and faculty members from throughout the country, the College of Engineering tied for 26th in the nation among nearly 180 schools where the highest degree awarded is a bachelor's or master's degree. Valpo's civil engineering program was tied for seventh in the nation among engineering schools offering bachelor's or master's degrees.

Sharing that ranking with Valpo were The Citadel, Gonzaga and Loyola Marymount universities, Miami University-Oxford, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and the University of San Diego.

Institutional rankings are compiled in a variety of categories according to mission and geographical region. Valpo is ranked among Midwestern universities that offer a full range of undergraduate and master's level programs. The magazine determines quality based on an evaluation of 15 "indicators of academic excellence" and an opinion survey of college and university academic leaders, and then ranks the schools in each of four geographic regions.

Valpo ranked third in the quality rankings a year ago and has ranked in the top five in quality every year since 1990.

For the second consecutive year, Valpo ranked No. 3 in the magazine's best-value category relating a school's academic quality to its price. The University has been ranked in the top four in value among Midwest institutions in 14 of the 15 years since the ratings were initiated.

Valpo also ranked No. 5 on the magazine's list of "A+ Schools for B Students," highlighting schools that "aren't household names but have first-rate programs and strong reputations."

Data published in the rankings show Valpo ranks especially high in the graduation rate of its students. The University also ranked third in "peer assessment," which is determined by a survey of university presidents, provosts and deans of admission.

President Mark A. Heckler said the U.S. News rankings are just one of many indicators of an institution's success, but that they provide confirmation Valpo is distinguished by a highly respected academic program that provides outstanding value to students and their parents.

"Valpo's place among the nation's most outstanding universities ever since U.S. News initiated its rankings illustrates the strength of our academic programs," Heckler said. "Students and parents know that Valpo offers a compelling educational experience, both inside and outside of the classroom.

"It is especially gratifying to see Valpo's strong commitment to teaching recognized, because one of the distinguishing features of our University is how deeply faculty members care about preparing their students for success in life."