University of Evansville Named a Great Value, Best University In U.S. News Rankings
August 18, 2006
The University of Evansville has been identified as the number one best value in the Midwest by U.S.News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” magazine. “This marks an outstanding accomplishment for the southwestern Indiana region,” said Tom Bear, vice president for Enrollment Management.
“This ranking signifies the support the University has received time and time again, from generous donors. The disciplined approach we take in awarding those dollars makes a quality private education available to many students. The University’s first place ranking in the “Great Values, Great Institutions” listing, reflects what many students realize – after applying financial aid UE is comparable, if not less expensive, to attend than the state flagship universities and other private institutions. This is a great accomplishment considering, out of 142 total institutions listed, we also rank in the top tier category “Best University” for master’s degree granting intuitions in the Midwest,” Bear added.
UE scholarships and grants awarded in 2005-06 totaled in excess of $24 million and 69 percent of UE students received need-based funding.
The quality reflected in rankings such as these has helped the University of Evansville attract talented students and faculty to Evansville, Ind. “Students from all over the United States attend UE. The diversity of the students has contributed to our increase in SAT/ACT scores and graduation rates. Another consideration in the rankings is faculty salaries, which have also increased, allowing UE to bring in professors who continue to contribute to our academic reputation,” Bear said.
According to U.S.News, “The formula used to determine which colleges and universities offer the best value relates a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its U.S.News ranking, to the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost -- the better the deal.”
In the top tier Best Universities ranking, UE tied this year at 11th with another outstanding Midwest institution, Baldwin-Wallace College. “Every year, we continue to make positive changes to the University. Our accreditations by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation for the School of Business Administration, are clear distinctions that we hold that many similar type institutions have not achieved. It is an honor and challenge to be a part of such an outstanding group of colleges and universities, and we remain committed to providing a world-class education to this region of the country,” Bear added.
In the Best Universities rankings, U.S.News gives greatest weight (25%) to the “Peer Assessment” of others in top-ranking positions at other colleges and universities. At the same weight is “Graduation and Retention Rates.” Faculty Resources comes in at 20%, Student Selectivity at 15%, Financial Resources 10%, and Alumni Giving 5%.