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

James Madison University holds its place as the No. 2 public regional university in the South in U.S. News & World Report’s 2016 Best Colleges rankings.

JMU ranked No. 7 in the South in the overall public and private schools category. Regional universities examined by U.S. News are defined as those offering a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and some master’s degree programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.

Elon University in North Carolina and Rollins College in Florida, both private schools, tied for No. 1 in the regional universities in the South list. The Citadel, a public school in South Carolina, was No. 3, followed by private school Samford University in Alabama at No. 4. Private schools Belmont University in Tennessee and Stetson University in Florida tied for No. 5, with JMU claiming the No. 7 spot in the ranking.

JMU tied with Kennesaw State University, a public school in Georgia, in the new Most Innovative Schools ranking for regional universities in the South. To compile the new ranking, U.S. News asked college presidents, provosts and admissions deans to nominate up to 10 colleges or universities in their U.S. News ranking category that are making the most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities. A school had to receive seven or more nominations to be listed. Schools are ranked in descending order based on the number of nominations received.

JMU’s undergraduate business program was ranked No. 114, tied with 16 other colleges and universities. The news magazine surveyed business school deans and senior faculty to rate the quality of business programs. All the schools in the business program category are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

The U.S. News rankings are available at http://www.usnews.com/colleges. Most of the rankings will appear in the “Best Colleges 2016” guidebook, which will go on sale in retail outlets later in September.

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