Campus Connection

U.S. News & World Report's 2016 America’s Best Colleges list of Best Regional Universities in the Midwest ranks UW-La Crosse as the state’s best and the No. 4 public university in the Midwest. It’s the 15th year in a row that UWL has remained the top-ranked comprehensive university in the UW System and among the top 4 in the Midwest. “We're delighted to be ranked among the top regional universities in the country, and as the No. 1 comprehensive university in the UW System,” says Chancellor Joe Gow. “This is wonderful external recognition of the outstanding work being done each day by UWL faculty, staff and students. We're very proud to have established such a respected reputation." UWL has held the No. 4 ranking for the second straight year. Truman State University in Missouri earned the top spot. The University of Northern Iowa was No. 2, followed by Grand Valley State University in Michigan as No. 3. Among all private and public Midwestern universities, UWL ranked No. 29, up from a year ago when it was No. 31. The regional category includes institutions providing a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. U.S. News also listed UWL among “A-Plus Schools for B Students.” The list identifies “where non-superstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving — where spirit and hard work could make all the difference in admissions offices.” Other UW schools on that list were Eau Claire and Stevens Point. Among other UW four-year campuses, the 15 listed in the Top Public Regional Universities rankings, UW-Eau Claire was No. 6 (tied for 33rd overall), and UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater tied for No. 13 (tied for 50th overall with two other universities).?UW-Madison is tied for No. 11 in the Top 30 Public National Universities category. The rankings are a thorough examination of how more than 1,400 accredited, four-year schools compare on a set of up to 16 widely accepted indicators of excellence. Among the many factors weighed in determining the rankings, the key measures of quality are: peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. Complete listings are available at www.usnews.com/colleges.