U.S. News & World Report has come out with its latest
“Best Colleges” edition for 2011 and for the first time since it began its college rankings in 1983, the magazine ranks SDSU among its “top tier” national universities. The publication rates us number 183 on a list that begins with Harvard in the top spot.
SDSU is the only CSU school ranked among the top tier. At 183, clearly we have room to move up, but the great news is that we’re finally being identified among the best universities in the country.
Although the magazine admits to changing its methodology this year, which no doubt contributes to SDSU’s climb, almost anyone familiar with San Diego State knows the university holds a rightful place nearer the top of the list. For four years running, SDSU has been judged the nation’s top small research university. Many of our programs are ranked among the country’s best.
As an SDSU degree has become increasingly desirable, more and more students have applied for admission and a smaller percentage are able to get in. That leads to students with higher test scores being admitted. They are also likelier to graduate. These are the kinds of things that figure into the rankings that
U.S. News compiles each year and as the trend continues, SDSU is likely to be rated even higher.
Alumni support is a factor as well. So keep that in mind as we celebrate the university’s new recognition. Now we’re on the list, but it’s up to all of us to help SDSU keep moving toward the top.