For the second year in a row, Worcester State University was recognized in the top tier of the 2013 “Best Regional Universities” of the U.S. News and World Report College Rankings [1]. WSU was one of only four Massachusetts State Universities included in the top tier. WSU was also recognized for having the highest alumni giving rate in the Massachusetts state university system.
“Placement in the top tier for the second year in a row is indicative of the hard work of our faculty, staff and students,” said President Barry M. Maloney. “I am deeply grateful to our loyal WSU alumni community who continue to give at such leadership levels. Everyday they are building a better future for our students.”
There are two tiers in the north region ranking of the Best Regional Universities. WSU is in the top tier, at number 133, up from last year’s ranking of 136. Schools in the second tier are not ranked, but listed alphabetically. The north region consists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.
There are 626 universities defined as Regional Universities: schools offering a full range of undergraduate programs and also provide graduate education at the master’s level.
Each school’s rank, within its peer group of institutions, is based 75 percent on measures of academic quality and 25 percent on a peer assessment among top academics at colleges and universities. In the peer assessment survey, U.S. News asks the president, provost, and dean of admissions at each school to rate the quality of the academic programs for schools in the same ranking category, including their own.