The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is among the 2011 Best Colleges as designated by U.S. News Media Group.
The exclusive rankings were issued today. They include more than 1,400 schools nationwide.
Over the past two decades, the U.S. News college rankings, which group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has grown to be the most comprehensive research tool for students and parents considering higher education opportunities.
UL Lafayette is listed among the second tier of the Best National Universities.
“ Being selected for inclusion on this list is a reflection of the hard work of our faculty, staff and students,” said UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie. “We have a tradition of excellence in everything we do. And, we’ve remained true to our academic mission by hiring top-notch faculty and attracting high-achieving students.”
The 2011 Best Colleges feature the established rankings of the Best National Universities and Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, while also including rankings of A+ Schools for B Students, Great Schools at Great Prices, and Up-and-Coming Schools, among others.
The 2011 Best Colleges package provides a thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and, for National Universities and National Liberal Art Colleges, "graduation rate performance" and high school counselor ratings of colleges.
For more information about Best Colleges, visit www.usnews.com/colleges. The rankings will also be published in the September issue of U.S.News & World Report, on newsstands starting August 31.