University ranked in Top 10 ‘Most Promising and Innovative Schools' in the nation

The University of South Carolina is among the Top 10 “Most Promising and Innovative Schools” in the nation, according to U.S.News & World Report’s 2009 “America’s Best Colleges” guide.

The new ranking is just one bit of good news regarding national recognition for South Carolina students as they begin classes this week, and continue the momentum of other national honors earlier this year.

The Moore School of Business’ undergraduate program in international business is ranked No. 1 in the country for the 12th consecutive year, and the university’s pioneering University 101 program, including its programs for first-year students, is featured again among the best in nation for first-year experience programs in the guide’s “Programs to Look For” section. The University is home to the National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience.

A first for the guide, the “Up-and-Coming Schools” ranking is based on nominations from top educators around the country who were asked to list which universities and colleges are making the most “promising, innovative changes” in academics, faculty, students, facilities or the campus. South Carolina is No. 9, ranking ahead of Ohio State University and University of California-San Diego, among others.

University President Dr. Harris Pastides said academic leaders around the nation are becoming increasingly aware of the innovative research and high quality of education available at the state’s flagship university.

“It’s good to see that we continue to advance in the rankings, and leaders in the academic world are taking note of what we’ve known for some time: This university provides an outstanding education for students, and we’re pioneering innovation and leadership in several areas,” Pastides said.

“Our focus is doing the right thing for our students and the state. Maintaining the high quality of our students’ education and experience is paramount to this institution, and so, too, is ensuring this great university is as accessible to the people of South Carolina as possible. We have a responsibility, as the state’s most comprehensive research university, to provide both —- high quality and access —- and to remain a faithful index to the hopes and dreams of South Carolinians. That’s first and foremost; the rankings will follow.”

The university’s First-Year Experience program, which has been emulated by universities and colleges around the world, was spotlighted among several top universities, including Stanford, Duke and Ohio State.

The Moore School’s undergraduate program in international business leads programs at the University of Pennsylvania, New York University, the University of Michigan, the University of Southern California and the University of Texas.

In a ranking of the nation’s Best Business Programs, the Moore School ranked No. 24 among public universities.

In January, Kipinger's magazine's “Best Values in Public Colleges" ranked South Carolina in the top 7 percent of the nation's public universities—35th among 500—for best academic values for in-state students. The university was also in the top 11 percent of schools ranked for out-of-state students' value. Details

In the U.S. News ranking of “Best National Universities,” the University of South Carolina moved up to 52nd from 54th among public institutions. National universities are in a group of 262 American universities (164 public and 98 private) that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees, and conduct research in many disciplines. Criteria used for the rankings include student-faculty ratio, graduation and retention rates, alumni giving, peer assessment and SAT-ACT scores.

The University of South Carolina Aiken ranked No. 1, and the University of South Carolina Upstate ranked No. 5 in the South among public baccalaureate colleges. This category recognizes regional institutions that focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in liberal arts and in professional fields such as business, nursing and education. U.S. News looked at 319 comprehensive colleges within four regions: North, South, Midwest and West.

Highlights of the rankings are featured in U.S.News & World Report’s Sept. 1 issue, which will be on newsstands Monday, Aug. 25. The “America’s Best Colleges” guide will be available Tuesday, Aug. 26.