Home > About BNE > Press Room > 2010 Archive > August > WNY Colleges Rise on U.S. Ranking

WNY Colleges Rise on U.S. Ranking

Tuesday, August 17, 2010 

Several Western New York colleges and universities have something to boast about from the annual rankings by U.S. News and World Report.

Each year, the publication looks at more than 1,400 schools, offering a research tool to prospective students and parents. The 2010-11 rankings in multiple categories can be found on newsstands or online at www.usnews.com.

The State University of New York College at Geneseo again fared well, placing second among the “Top Public Universities” list for the North Region. It also ranks 12th in the “Best Regional Universities” category for the same region, which combines both public and private institutions.

SUNY Geneseo first among four North Region universities identified as having a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. Geneseo is one of 86 schools from the four regions of the country on the list, contained in the magazine’s 2011 rankings of the nation’s top colleges and universities.

SUNY Fredonia is ranked 10th among the top public universities in the North, improving four places over its 2009 listing. In the larger category of both public and private institutions in the North, SUNY Fredonia tied for 46th out of the top tier of the best 126 “Regional Universities,” which the magazine defines as those offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees. This represents an increase of five places over its 2009 rankings.

In a category examining costs, the University at Buffalo and Binghamton University are the only two in New York state, public or private, to make the publication’s list of schools where students graduate with the least amount of debt, SUNY said.

For example, UB students who took out loansto cover four years of undergraduate tuition and expenses graduated with an average of just $15,911 in debt, according to U.S. News data from students who graduated in 2009. In comparison, students who graduated from universities with high debt loads graduated owing from $33,000 to $49,000.

U.S. News also ranks UB as one of the top national public universities, at No. 58 out of 164 public universities nationwide.

Canisius College earned its highest ranking in college history with the 20th spot in the top tier among America’s Best Colleges, Regional Universities – North, officials said. Canisius moved up one position from the previous ranking. Canisius was also listed among the “Great Schools, Great Prices” category for regional universities in the North.

Alfred University placed third in the North for “great schools at great prices,” and tied with Canisius in the ranking of master’s degree-granting institutions in the North.

Scholarship and aid packages have earned St. Bonaventure University the No. 9 ranking for best college values in the North. Bona officials noted the average financial aid and scholarship package for an incoming freshman is more than $22,000.

St. Bonaventure’s high ranking on the “Great Schools, Great Prices” list correlated to its high overall rating in the category for northern colleges that offer master’s degrees. Bona ranked No. 29 out of 172 institutions, placing it in the top 17 percent.

Niagara University was recognized in the area of service learning program. Only 29 institutions among all the colleges and universities in the country were selected for the service-learning honor.

Also, Houghton College placed 137th in the top tier of Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, one of only 14 member schools of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be ranked.

Read more: WNY colleges rise on U.S. ranking - Business First of Buffalo