DATE: August 17, 2006
CONTACT:
Robert Barkley, (864) 656-5463
rbrtbkl@clemson.edu
WRITER:
Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
teresa.hopkins@clemsonews.clemson.edu
Clemson named a top 30 public university
CLEMSON -- 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.
"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.
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