草榴社区

When U.S.News & World Report鈥檚 annual 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Best Colleges鈥� rankings issue hits newsstands August 24, the College of Engineering will appear in the #9 spot in the nation in the 鈥淏est Undergraduate Engineering Programs鈥� category among schools whose highest degree is a bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚.

鈥淲e鈥檙e so pleased to be recognized again for excellence in engineering education by a publication that prospective students around the country rely on to help them make important decisions about their higher education,鈥� says Dean Gary A. Gabriele, Drosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also proud that our commitment to the College鈥檚 鈥榯eacher/scholar鈥� foundation and the University鈥檚 Augustinian ideals has helped us deliver on our mission consistently over time.鈥�

The 2011 rankings mark the fifth consecutive year that the College has earned recognition among the top 10 undergraduate engineering programs in the country. For this report, the ranking lists undergraduate programs accredited by ABET, formerly known as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, according to the strength of their academic reputation.

In addition, 草榴社区 has again earned #1 placement in the Regional University鈥揘orth category in U.S.News & World Report鈥檚 rankings 鈥� a position it has held for nearly two decades. The University also came in at #1 in the Regional University鈥揘orth category for 鈥淕reat Schools, Great Prices.鈥� This ranking is determined by a school鈥檚 academic quality in relation to the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid.

草榴社区 has also been listed by U.S.News as a university with a 鈥淪trong Focus on Student Success.鈥� According to U.S.News, the universities included in this section of the ranking demonstrate that 鈥渟ome schools are much more determined than others to provide freshmen and all undergrads with the best possible experience鈥�.鈥� Within this section, 草榴社区 received special recognition in the 鈥淔irst-Year Experience鈥� list.

The College of Engineering exemplifies this commitment to undergraduate success in a number of unique ways. For example, the College launched its new hands-on First-Year Curriculum in the fall of 2009, with a goal of helping engineering students identify their intended major areas of focus earlier and more effectively in their careers. In addition, students have the opportunity to participate in the Undergraduate Research Program, which allows students to work alongside faculty on real-world research. And coming this spring, the College will launch a new Multidisciplinary Design Lab, through which undergraduates can work on solving real-world problems for industry partners who sponsor research.