March 30, 2006 – The latest issue of U.S. News & World Report/America’s Best Graduate Schools once again establishes the University of Utah as the most recognized school in the state. The University is ranked in 18 separate categories, more than any other Utah school.
The U”s Health Sciences Center is a perennial strong performer in the U.S. News rankings. The Medical School is ranked 50th in the nation for Research and 45th for Primary Care. It also received recognition for its educational efforts in Women’s Health by ranking 21st in the nation.
The University also did very well in the sciences of Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology ranking 34th, 35th, and 56th respectively.
The College of Engineering boasts an across-the-board increase in rankings this year compared to last. The school moved up overall to 58th from its 59th place showing last year and also scored increases in five separate specialties. The college was ranked 18th in Biomedical/Bioengineering, 44th in Computer Engineering, 51st in Electrical/Electronic/Communications Engineering, 62nd in Mechanical Engineering, and 66th in Civil Engineering. All were higher rankings than last year. Dean Richard Brown says his school is making good use of donor and community support. “Support from the State of Utah through the Engineering Initiative has certainly borne fruit at the University of Utah. Not only did the number of engineering degrees awarded at the U grow by 60% from 1999 to 2005, but recognition of the quality of our programs has also improved, as reflected in these rankings,” said Brown.
The College of Education ranked 70th overall this year, holding steady from last year. It was also ranked in two specialties, coming in 13th in Administration/Supervision and 39th for Secondary Education. “We are again pleased to be recognized as a leader in education by U.S. News and World Report. While we have many outstanding programs, we are particularly excited to be cited for our exemplary work in Administration/Supervision and Secondary Education,” said Dean David J. Sperry.
The David Eccles School of Business is ranked 63rd in the nation. “I am proud that we continue to appear in rankings of the very best business schools in the world. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has identified over 2,000 business schools just in the United States, and in every major ranking the David Eccles School is listed among the world’s best business schools. Our goal is to offer a world-class business education to the citizens of Utah, and the rankings confirm we are living up to this expectation,” said Jack Brittain, dean of the business school.
The S.J. Quinney College of Law is ranked 57th in the latest U.S. News survey, once again making the top tier of all schools, an achievement it has reached every year since the rankings began. The school was also ranked 17th in the discipline of Environmental Law.
Each year, U.S. News ranks school programs in business, education, engineering, law, and medicine. From time to time other programs are also surveyed and ranked. U.S. News says its rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinion about program quality and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research, and students.
For a complete listing of the rankings in the U.S. News & World Report/America’s Best Colleges, visit http://www.usnews.com.