Abilene Christian University has received its highest-ever ranking in the 2008 U.S. News & World Report rankings of "America's Best Colleges," moving up eight places from last year, said Dr. Royce Money, ACU president. Results were officially released Friday morning.Of the 116 universities in the 15-state West region of the "Best Universities – Master's," ACU was ranked 17th, an improvement from last year's ranking of 25th. Only four Texas universities ranked in the top 20 in the West region: Trinity University and St. Mary's University, both in San Antonio, the University of Dallas and ACU.
"This upward move for ACU is an indicator of the increasing quality perception the university has gained across the nation," Money said. "Although we assess our quality and results in many different ways, this college guide is one indicator we keep an eye on. It provides parents one source of information among many to help them make decisions about the best college fit for their children."
In the "Great Schools, Great Prices" list, an ACU education was ranked as the 10th best value in the "Universities – Master's" category, based on the ratio of quality to price, the percent of undergraduates receiving need-based grants and the average discount from the total cost.
The overall rankings are based on a peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. The peer assessment rating, which counts as 25 percent of the final score on which the rankings are based, allows presidents, provosts and deans of admissions to rate peer schools' academic programs on a scale of one (marginal) to five (distinguished).
Of the 116 universities in ACU’s category, only 17 received peer assessment scores of 3.2 or higher. ACU received a 3.2. Only two universities - ranked No. 1 and 2 on the list – have a 4.0 or higher.
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