Curt Carlson
Vice Chancellor for University Relations, 308.865.8529
UNK– For the first time, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is ranked a “Top 10 Public Regional University in the Midwest” by U.S. News & World Report.
With a rank of nine, UNK is the only Nebraska university on the Top 10 list in the magazine’s annual “Best Colleges” edition. UNK was ranked the number 15 public university in the
same category for the past two years.
UNK also moved up from number 62 to 43 in the full list of “107 Best Regional Public and Private Universities in the Midwest,” a category defined last year as best master’s-level
universities. In addition to Nebraska schools, the list includes universities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
“There is only one way to describe UNK these days,” said UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen. “We’re making progress on all fronts. But it is especially gratifying that our academic
indicators—as reported consistently by U.S. News & World Report—are also steadily improving.
“I’m especially proud that our retention and graduation rate scores are among the very best among our peer
institutions,” he said. “It helps confirm that we are doing a lot of things right to ensure a quality educational
experience for our students.”
The overall ranking score is a composite of scores in several specific categories. UNK measures equal to,
or better than, the average of its Board of Regents-defined peer group in 10 of these 11 scores, improved
from eight scores above average on last year’s chart.
Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Charles Bicak added, “While some may disagree
with the criteria for ranking, the reality is that the indicators are telling. Students and their parents pay attention
to the rankings and have come to rely on them at least in beginning the search for a college or university.
“Although not perfect,” he said, “U.S. News has become an important and popular barometer for university
quality in this country, and we at UNK are very pleased to be moving steadily up the line. To be in the top 10
among a prestigious group of peers is certainly a tribute to all our faculty, staff and students.”
The U.S. News ranking is based on several key measures of quality. Scores for each measure are weighted
for public regional universities, as shown in the table below, to arrive at a final overall score.
Peer assessment………………..
Graduation and retention rates………………….25%
Faculty resources……………………………………..20%
Student selectivity…………………………………….15%
Financial resources………………………………….10%
Alumni giving……………………………………………..5%
Top 10 Regional Public Schools — Midwest Ranking
1. Truman State University (Kirksville, Mo.)
2. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
3. University of Northern Iowa (Cedar Falls, Iowa)
4. University of Illinois-Springfield
5. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
6. University of Michigan-Dearborn
7. (tie) Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Mich.) 7. (tie)
University of Minnesota-Duluth
9. (tie) University of Nebraska at Kearney 9. (tie) University of
Wisconsin-Stevens Point
