UNK Highest Ranked Public University in Nebraska in US News & World Reports Annual Rankings

Chancellor Doug Kristensen
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For the third consecutive year, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is the highest ranking  public university in Nebraska in the Midwest Universities Master’s Category, according to the 2006 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s annual America’s Best Colleges rankings.

Overall, UNK is ranked 22nd among public  colleges and universities in a 12-state region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Describing the rankings as “a popular index for parents and prospective students,” UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen said: “We are pleased with our continued success in the rankings.” The rankings measure 11 areas of university performance and  peer assessment.

“UNK’s elevated ranking reflects several key factors — outstanding freshmen retention rate (81 %), the high percentage of full-time faculty teaching classes (91%) and the 17-to-1 student/faculty ratio,” he said, noting  that, “It is also significant that our graduation rate is now at an all-time high; the U.S. News evaluation takes that into account as well.”

“Although no ranking system is perfect, we know that UNK continues to be on the right track,” he concluded.