JMU Tops Among Public Universities in South in 'U.S. News' Rankings
News
James Madison University is the number one public master's level university in the south as ranked by the "U.S. News & World Report's" 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges." JMU has held the spot for 16 consecutive years.
The university is also on the magazine's list of "Top Up-and-Coming Schools" of 77 colleges and universities that "were singled out as schools that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities. Within the up-and-coming schools listing, JMU is ranked No. 2 among public universities-master's in the south region.
JMU is on an 80-school list, "A Focus on Undergrads," of colleges and universities that "were singled out most often when experts were asked to identify schools where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching. The university is the top-ranked public institution for "A Focus on Undergrads" among universities-master's in the south region.
Madison is included in the guide's "Programs to Look For" section on first-year experience that goes beyond orientation programs for making freshmen feel connected.
JMU's 91 percent freshman retention rate and 81 percent average graduate rate were among the factors contributing to the university's stellar ranking in the public master's level.
A total of 572 universities are included in the universities-master's segment of U.S. News' college rankings. Institutions in the category provide a full range of undergraduate and master's programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs. JMU offers doctoral programs in clinical audiology, communication sciences and disorders, music, psychology and strategic leadership. Schools in the universities-master's section are ranked within four geographic areas - North, South, Midwest and West.
The September 2009 issue of "U.S. News & World Report," which includes highlights of the college rankings, will go on sale Monday, Aug. 24. The 2010 America's Best Colleges guidebook will go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 25.
