UCF Achieves its Best Ranking Ever From U.S. News & World Report
by Tom Evelyn (tevelyn@mail.ucf.edu)

ORLANDO, August 22, 2005 -- The University of Central Florida has achieved its highest ranking ever in U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings of national universities.

UCF ranks in the third tier of national universities, which includes schools ranked 125th through 180th. Last year UCF ranked in the fourth tier. The "America's Best Colleges" guide will be in the Aug. 29 edition of U.S. News & World Report, which hits newsstands on Aug. 22.

"We are honored that U.S. News & World Report has recognized the quality of our students and faculty by ranking UCF among its 'Best Colleges,'" President John Hitt said. "The ranking is a validation of the hard work and dedication of all those who make this a great university."

U.S. News & World Report ranks schools based on categories such as the average freshman retention rate, graduation rates, acceptance rates and the percentage of freshmen who ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

According to U.S. News, UCF's average freshman retention rate was 81 percent. Thirty-five percent of 2004 freshmen ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school classes and the 2004 acceptance rate was 55 percent.

The University of Florida tied for 50th in the rankings of national universities, the University of Miami tied for 55th and Florida State University tied for 109th.

Schools in the third and fourth tiers are listed alphabetically and are not assigned specific rankings. The Florida Institute of Technology joined UCF in the third tier. Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University and the University of South Florida were ranked in the fourth tier.

The improved ranking in U.S. News & World Report comes as UCF will make its debut in The Princeton Review's annual guide to the best institutions for undergraduate education. "The Best 361 Colleges: 2006 Edition," which will be available in bookstores on Tuesday, selects schools based on their academic programs, the opinions of students, parents and educators and other data.

DATE POSTED
August 22, 2005

CONTACT
Linda Gray
News & Information
407-823-2947
lgray@mail.ucf.edu

Tom Evelyn
News & Information
407-823-5988
tevelyn@mail.ucf.edu

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