The 2009 U.S.News & World Report rankings of “America’s Best Colleges” were released on August 22 and Drexel is now ranked 89th in the category of “Best National Universities.” This is the University’s highest ranking ever and its first appearance in the top 100. Drexel was tied for 108th in last year’s rankings.

This year, U.S. News created a new category, the nation’s top “up-and-coming schools.” Selected by administrators at peer schools, these institutions have demonstrated “the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities.” Only 20 national universities made this exclusive list, and Drexel ranked sixth. To make the list, the universities had to have “recently made striking improvements or innovations” and be regarded as “schools everyone should be watching.” The article states, “These colleges may not be at the top of the rankings (yet), but they’re tops for innovation.”

“This news confirms that we provide a superior educational experience to our students and outstanding scholarship and research opportunities to our faculty,” said President Papadakis. “Our success in doing so has led to unprecedented qualitative and quantitative growth, thanks to the hard work and energetic commitment to service of Drexel’s students, faculty and staff.”

Drexel has gone from the third tier of national universities as recently as 2003 to the top 90.

The University is now ranked ahead of benchmark institutions Northeastern and Illinois Institute of Technology and among the best 50 private universities in the country. Factors that U.S. News cited as reasons for Drexel’s higher position in the rankings include improved graduation rate, smaller classes and improved test scores for freshmen.

“In comparing the national universities that were ranked in both 2008 and 2009, Drexel showed the largest improvement in the rankings with a 19-point gain. Only four universities showed a double-digit positive change in ranking,” said Papadakis. The U.S. News rankings group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Drexel is also identified by U.S. News as offering one of the best cooperative education programs in the country.

The article about Drexel’s selection as an “up-and-coming” school is available at www.drexel.edu/univrel/schools_news1.pdf