Best in the West

Best in the West

A new round of rankings mark the start of a new academic year at Utah State

University, including “Best in the West,” “Best Value,” and even a No. 1 recognition

by U.S. News & World Report. In a nutshell, USU is:

• No. 1 among public universities for graduates with least debt (U.S. News &

World Report)

• Top 35 overall score among public

national universities based on social mobility, research and service (The Washington Monthly)

• “Best in the West” and “America’s Best Value Colleges” by The Princeton Review

This year, USU was recognized by the U.S. News rankings as No. 1 among all national public universities for students carrying the least amount of debt upon graduation. This is a distinction

of which Utah State University can be proud, said Raymond T. Coward, USU executive vice president and provost.

“The amount of debt a student leaves with is a result of many factors,” Coward said. “One of those factors is most certainly the cost of tuition. Our tuition is extraordinarily reasonable, especially when one considers the quality of education delivered at USU. A USU education is reasonably priced and well worth the value.”

In the Washington Monthly report, USU is ranked number 54 out of 242 national universities. It is a ranking that represents the combined score of the three metrics – social mobility, research and service. That is a score among all universities. When private institutions are removed from the list, USU is ranked in the top 35.

“In the public institution light, USU shines,” Coward said. For example, the Washington Monthly’s rankings place USU as:

•One of only 19 public institutions in the nation listed in the top 35 two years in a row

• 3rd in the nation with regard to the percentage of funds in federal workstudy money that goes to community service. (Ranked behind only the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of California, Riverside.)

Washington Monthly applies measures reflecting traits such as access, opportunity, service and quality.

USU once again made The Princeton Review’s list as one of 123 colleges anduniversities named a “Best WesternCollege.” In addition, USU is also designatedagain as “one of the best overallbargains – based on cost and financialaid – among the most academicallyoutstanding colleges in the nation.”

“Utah State University’s good marks inthese areas place us in an elite group of public institutions, and they reflect manyof the traits we value,” Coward said. “Itis why I believe you also see USU consistently appear in The PrincetonReview’s “Best in the West” and on“America’s Best Value Colleges” list as we are, once again, this year.”

Writer: John DeVilbiss, 435.797.1358

john.devilbiss@usu.edu