CBBS News
Clemson Named A Top 30 Public University
Clemson University has reached its highest position to date in the
annual "U.S.News & World Report" college rankings and is now a top 30
public institution.
For 2007, Clemson ranks 30th among the nation's 162 public
doctoral-granting universities, a move up from 34th last year.
The latest report shows improvements in key educational areas, such
as class size, quality of students and graduation rate.
"The hallmark of a top university is its ability to provide an
outstanding educational experience for its students," said Clemson
President James F. Barker. "Our faculty and staff are working
diligently to improve the quality of the Clemson experience so that
we can give South Carolina students a top-tier education right here
at home. It's encouraging to see those efforts earn national
recognition.
"When you improve the things that matter most to students and
parents, like smaller classes and higher graduation rates, it also
improves your national standing."
Last year, Clemson reported fewer classes with 50 or more students,
and more classes with less than 20 students. The graduation rate rose
from 72 percent to 75 percent, versus 57 percent for all institutions.
In addition, Clemson's engineering program is ranked 60th among
engineering schools granting doctoral degrees. Clemson also is
recognized as having an "outstanding example of an academic program
believed to lead to student success" in its Writing Across the
Curriculum program.
Among the standard peer group, in 1997 Clemson ranked ninth out of
the 10 schools; it is now tied with Michigan State for fifth among
that peer group, ahead of Virginia Tech, Iowa State, N.C. State,
Auburn and Mississippi State.
Among the ACC's eight public schools, three of which are in the top
10 public schools in the "U.S. News & World Report" rankings, Clemson
is fifth.
"U.S.News & World Report" rankings are based on statistical measures,
such as student SAT scores, graduation rates and faculty salaries, as
well as a subjective measure of academic reputation. The list of
public doctoral-granting institutions ranks universities across the
country that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as
master and doctoral degrees.