JMU #1 Public University in the South for 16 Straight Years

U.S. News and World Reports has once again ranked JMU at the top of the list for Master's public universities in the South (4th overall in the South). This is the 16th straight year we've gotten this recognition. According to the rankings, master's universities, "offer a full range of undergrad programs and some master's programs but few doctoral programs." If we keep it up two more years, JMU will have been the #1 public master's level university in the South for the entire life of incoming freshmen. We were also ranked as the #5 "Up-and-Coming" college in the South (#2 public). I've never really understood this category, as George Mason was ranked at the top of the national university list last year and is #2 nationally this year, which begs the question, "Them?" Anyway, I prefer looking at the more concrete categories instead of colleges that, "were singled out as schools that have recently made the most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities."

JMU also made a list of "Programs to look for" in the "First-year experiences" category. It is deemed an experience, " that goes beyond orientation programs for making freshmen feel connected." I'm glad this report came out as the 1787 Orientation is going on right now for over 4,000 incoming students. A report on this program will be coming in the next week on this year's outstanding orientation experiences.

James Madison University is also on an 80-school list, "A Focus on Undergrads," of colleges and universities that "were singled out most often when experts were asked to identify schools where the faculty has an unusual commitment to undergraduate teaching. The university is the top-ranked public institution for "A Focus on Undergrads" among universities-master's in the south region. Anyone who has attended this school can attest to the fact that if you're in need of any extra help, the faculty is usually more than willing to help. We also have an outstanding faculty-to-student ratio.

JMU's 91 percent freshman retention rate and 81 percent average graduate rate were among the factors contributing to the university's stellar ranking in the public master's level.

JMU news article