Penn State Behrend Ranks in Top 10 Public Universities
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is ranked in the Top 10 public universities in the North, according to U.S.News & World Report in its just-published 2007 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Penn State Behrend ranks ninth among public institutions and 46th overall in the North.
“Being ranked as a Top 10 public university is a tangible result of the high standards for excellence that Penn State Behrend strives to achieve,” Jack Burke, chancellor of Penn State Behrend, said. “We pride ourselves on the high-quality programs, faculty and resources that we offer our students.”
Penn State Behrend is ranked in the “Best Universities—Master’s” category for institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs. The 557 universities in this category are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West. In determining each school’s rank, U.S. News uses six categories of data, including—weighted in order of importance—peer assessment, graduation and retention rate, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving.
“Without question, it is a privilege to be ranked among the best,” David Christiansen, associate dean for undergraduate studies and academic administration, said. “Penn State Behrend’s ranking has improved continually in recent years and now we have entered into the Top 10 for public master’s institutions for the first time.
“However, rankings are only one source of information that prospective students should consider,” Christiansen continued. “My hope is that students will use this information as a guide but, ultimately, will choose to visit Penn State Behrend to see all that we have to offer firsthand.”
Penn State University Park ranked 13th among the Top 50 public national universities and 47th overall in the “Best National Universities” category.
Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers 31 baccalaureate, five associate, four pre-professional and two graduate degree programs with 21 minors to more than 3,700 students. Focused on providing a student-centered environment, Penn State Behrend is the link that connects its students to a major research and land-grant institution on a campus enriched by more than 90 clubs and organizations, 21 NCAA varsity teams, 19 intramural sports and modern facilities. Beginning in fall 2006, the college’s Sam and Irene Black School of Business and the School of Engineering and Engineering Technology will be housed in the Research and Economic Development Center (REDC), making Penn State Behrend one of the first higher education institutions in the country to house its engineering and business schools under one roof.