| WEB NEWS | Friday, August 17, 2007
AU 85th among “America’s Best Colleges”

BY adrienne frank

American University has climbed one position on U.S. News & World Report’s list of “America’s Best Colleges,” landing at No. 85 among “National Universities.”

Though AU finished 86th last year, the university also earned a No. 85 ranking in 2005. AU debuted on the list in 2003, at No. 99.

“It is, of course, always good to witness our gains in such standings but what is more important than a single year’s data is that we have made dramatic upward leaps in this ranking over the years,” said Haig Mardirosian, dean of academic affairs. “Contributing factors include academic reputation, student retention, adjunct teaching rates, finances, and alumni giving, areas into which we have put deliberate efforts and enjoyed significant progress.

“The acknowledgment of that work is always gratifying and should instill confidence in our students, faculty, and staff that American University is a strong institution enjoying an increasingly enhanced reputation,” continued Mardirosian.

Rankings are based on seven key measures of quality, including graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, and alumni giving. U.S. News & World Report also uses input from university presidents, provosts, deans, and professors to determine a school’s score.

Princeton University topped this year’s list, which was released on Friday.