JMU ranks in multiple 'U.S. News' categories

James Madison University maintained its ranking as the No. 2 public regional university in the South in U.S. News & World Report's 2015 edition of Best Colleges.

JMU tied for the No. 6 rank in the overall public and private schools category with Stetson University, a private college in Florida. Ranking No. 1 through No. 5 in the regional list of public and private institutions are Elon University in North Carolina (private), Rollins College in Florida (private), Samford University in Alabama (private), The Citadel in South Carolina (public) and Belmont University in Tennessee (private).

The university also was included in "The 2015 Up-and-Comers" ranking among regional universities in the South, tied with two other schools. The category includes schools that have made "the most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities. The regional universities South list is:

1. Elon University in North Carolina (private)

2. Christopher Newport University in Virginia (public)

3. Belmont University in Tennessee (private)

4. Mercer University in Georgia (private)

5. Lipscomb University in Tennessee (private)

6. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida (private)

6. James Madison University (public)

6. Lee University in Tennessee (private)

The university's commitments to service learning and undergraduate research were acknowledged by the U.S. News report. JMU was among 20 schools highlighted in the category for "required (or for-credit) volunteer work in the community is an instructional strategy in these programs."

JMU was included in the "undergraduate research/creative projects" category, one of 32 schools.

JMU's business program was ranked No. 113, tied with 19 other college and universities. The news magazine surveyed deans and senior faculty at all undergraduate business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business to compile the ranking category. Participants were asked to rate the quality of programs with which they were familiar on a five-point scale.

The full rankings are available at http://www.usnews.com/colleges.

# # #