Clarksville, Ark. --- For the 10th consecutive year, University of the Ozarks has been ranked as a "top tier" university in the U.S. News & World Report's annual late summer publication that analyzes institutions of higher education.
In the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges,” released on Aug. 21, Ozarks was ranked third in the category of “Great Schools, Great Prices” among 95 universities in the 12-state South Region that are considered Baccalaureate Colleges. It is the ninth time in the last 10 years that Ozarks has been ranked in the top five of the best value category. The value rankings evaluate the cost of attending a college or university relative to the quality of the institution, according to the magazine’s ranking system.
In the overall rankings of the universities, Ozarks was ranked tied for seventh among 95 universities that fall in the Baccalaureate Colleges category in the South Region. The seventh-place ranking is the highest ever for U of O, which was ranked No. 8 in the South in 2008 and 2006. The overall rankings examine such criteria as academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.
“I am proud that, once again, the University of the Ozarks is highly ranked in the South Region by U.S. News & World Report in its 2009 publication,” said U of O President Dr. Rick Niece. “Being ranked for the 10th consecutive year as a top-tier university is a tribute to our faculty, staff and students. I am equally gratified that Ozarks is ranked as the third best value in the South. To be ranked in the top five for nine of the last 10 years says a great deal about Ozarks and the tremendous value we are.”
The South Region consists of colleges and universities in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.
The top five in the overall rankings for the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category in the South Region were, Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas, Claflin University in South Carolina, University of the Ozarks, Covenant College in Georgia, and Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia.
The top 10 in the overall rankings for Baccalaureate Colleges in the South Region were, Ouachita Baptist University, Erskine College in South Carolina, John Brown University in Arkansas, Covenant College in Georgia, High Point University in North Carolina, Milligan College in Tennessee, LaGrange College in Georgia, Tuskegee University in Alabama, University of the Ozarks and Florida Southern College.
U.S. News & World Report ranked more than 1,400 accredited schools nationally in its “America’s Best Colleges” edition, scheduled to hit the news stands on Aug. 26.
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