University of Denver Makes List of Country’s Top Colleges

The University of Denver is numbered among the country’s top 100 institutions of higher education. U.S. News & World Report ranks DU 96th in its list of best national universities. Additionally, DU’s overall score improved from 53 to 51.

This year, U.S. News & World Report adjusted the criteria that is used to determine overall rankings. They are now based on six different categories: outcomes, faculty resources, expert opinion, financial resources, student excellence and alumni giving. Furthermore, peer assessment surveys are now conducted by U.S. News rather than by a third-party organization.

Faculty resources considers five factors to assess a school’s commitment to instruction: class size, faculty salaries, faculty with the highest degree in their fields, student-faculty ratio and proportion of faculty who are full time. The University of Denver ranks 52nd in this area, an improvement of 10 spots from last year. Only 5 percent of classes at DU have 50 or more students and the student-faculty ratio is 11:1.

“We are delighted with the increase in our ranking regarding our superb faculty. It represents a recognition of the close connection between our students and the faculty at DU, ” says Chancellor Rebecca Chopp.

In addition to the overall ranking, the University of Denver places in the top 100 in several other categories. DU ranks 58th among Best Value Schools. This ranking takes into account a school’s academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average need-based scholarship or grant. Forty-two percent of students receive need-based grants at DU.

DU ranks 59th in the category of Best Colleges for Veterans. A university qualifies for this list if it enrolls a minimum of 20 veterans and active service members and if it is certified for the GI Bill and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. Universities participating in the Yellow Ribbon Programmake additional funds available for veterans attending an out-of-state or private institution.

U.S. News & World Report ranked the Daniels College of Business 87th on the list of Best Undergraduate Business Programs, an improvement of four spots from last year. The ranking is based on program accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business; the results are based solely on surveys of business school deans and senior faculty.

“While we’re pleased with the recognition from U.S. News & World Report, we know that the quality and impact of our undergraduate program extends far beyond this ranking,” says E. LaBrent Chrite, dean of the Daniels School. “Our students leave Daniels with the requisite technical and adaptive skills necessary to create value in the 21st- century market while they realize their passions and purpose.”