UNIVERSITY PARK — U.S. News & World Report has released its 2015 “Best Colleges” rankings with Penn State ranking No. 14 among national public universities.
In addition, the University ranked No. 2 nationally among “Best Colleges for Veterans,” schools that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active service members apply, pay for and complete their degrees.
In the “National Universities” category, which includes both public and private institutions, Penn State placed No. 48 overall. According to U.S. News’ methodology, schools in this category emphasize faculty research and offer a full range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs.
In the Big Ten, Penn State ranked No. 4 among public nationals, and No. 5 in the overall nationals. Penn State also ranked No. 4 among Pennsylvania universities.
The Smeal College of Business’ supply chain management program ranked No. 5 in “Best in the Specialties,” with Smeal ranked No. 21 overall in “Best in Undergraduate Business” programs, up one spot from last year. Additional business programs ranked include production/operations management (No. 14), management (No. 14), marketing (No. 14) and accounting (No. 21).
The College of Engineering at University Park ranked No. 18 among the “Best in Undergraduate Engineering” programs for institutions whose highest degree is a doctorate, rising one place from last year. Additional engineering programs ranked include industrial/manufacturing (No. 7), materials (No. 10), aerospace/aeronautical/astronautical (No. 11), biological/agricultural (No. 11), mechanical (No. 13), civil (No. 17) and chemical (No. 18).
At Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, the School of Engineering ranked No. 47 among the best engineering schools whose highest degree is a bachelor’s or master’s.
Penn State also ranked highest among national universities on the list of “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” featuring schools that accept students without straight A’s but rank highly among the 2015 Best Colleges.
In addition, Penn State ranked 45th in a nationwide survey among high school counselors who rated national universities and liberal arts colleges that they felt offered “the best undergraduate education to their students,” receiving a score of 4.1 out of a possible 5.
U.S. News & World Report surveys nearly 1,800 colleges and universities annually and ranks them in different categories by measuring such factors as graduation and retention rates; assessment by peers and counselors; faculty resources; student selectivity; alumni giving rate; and financial resources. Details of the “2015 Best Colleges” methodology and rankings are available online.