James Madison University once again in top university rankings

September 14, 2011

James Madison University (JMU) shows consistency in its high-quality academic and extra-curricular offerings to students once again. Each year, U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes Magazine and Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine publish a list of the best colleges and universities in the USA, and each year, JMU is recognized as a top-ranking US University.

Below is a summary of the placement of James Madison University in some of the most popular US college ranking publications, in 2011-12:

U.S.News and World Report - 'Best Colleges 2012'

James Madison University ranked as 6th regional Tier 1 University in the South. Additionally, JMU has been placed near the top in other university rankings for undergraduate programs:

• #2 Top Public School in the South
• #3 Best Undergraduate Teaching in its category
• #1 Highest Freshman Retention rate in its category
• #1 6-year graduation rate in its category
• 97th best undergraduate Business program in US (a climb from its position as #101 last year)
• A+ option for B students

JMU's 'Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects' program was also listed under "Academic programs to look for".

For its graduate programs, James Madison University earned recognition as one of the 'Best Business Schools'. It also ranked:

• #19 in Audiology
• #38 in Speech-Language Pathology
• #38 in Physician Assistant
• #102 in Occupational Therapy
• #105 for its part-time MBA
• #124 in Public Affairs
• #134 in Fine Arts
• #161 in Psychology
• #234 in Nursing

The Princeton Review - 'The Best 376 Colleges 2012'

The Princeton Review again named James Madison University among the "Best 376 Colleges" (i.e. the top 9% of universities in the USA), and included it in the following lists:

• 50 Best Value Public Colleges 2011
• Best 133 Southeastern Schools
• #5 for 'Best Campus Food'

Forbes Magazine - 'America's Best Colleges 2011'

Forbes Magazine ranks James Madison University as 160th in its publication of "America's Best Colleges" - a climb from its position as 169th last year. Additionally, the publication rates it as 42nd under "Best College buys".

Bloomberg Businessweek magazine - 'Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2011'

Businessweek ranks James Madison University as 28th in its annual publication of "Best Undergraduate Business Schools" - a big jump from its position as 44th last year. This year, a total of 213 undergraduate business programs were ranked.

How to understand US university rankings

There are 4,409 degree-granting institutions in America but only the highest quality US universities are recognized by the popular college ranking publications.

• The 'Best 376 Colleges' named by The Princeton Review represent the top 9% of universities in America
• Forbes Magazine's 'America's Best Colleges' lists the top 15% of US universities
• U.S. News and World Report's 'Best Colleges' ranks the top 32% of universities in the USA

James Madison University and the International Study Center are committed to providing overall quality to students in their academic and extra-curricular pursuits.