The University of Northern Iowa is at the top of the rankings again this year, and this time it's not only for basketball. UNI was ranked third in the "Best Regional Universities (Midwest)" category for public universities, according to U.S. News and World Report's 2011 "America's Best Colleges" guidebook.
"It's great to be considered one of the best universities in the Midwest," UNI President Benjamin Allen said. "This is wonderful recognition of the quality and value our faculty and staff provide our students."
Receiving this recognition is nothing new for UNI. For 14 years, U.S. News and World Report has ranked UNI as one of the top three public universities in the Midwest.
Jim O'Conner, Executive Director of University Relations said that, looking forward, the university does plan to use this recognition to recruit new students who might be on the fence about UNI.
"Recognition like this is always nice to have, especially in cases where a student or family may not be overly familiar with UNI. It's a nice way to start the conversation," O'Conner said.
O'Conner said it will also help UNI when recruiting international students. "We know in talking with international students that rankings like this are something they use routinely to start the search process. "
The recognition comes as no surprise to Student Body President, Joel Anderson.
"Anyone who attends UNI can see that it is truly a great school," Anderson said. "There are many things that set us apart. The quality academics that are provided and how the faculty members care about students both in and out of the classroom. The experiences and involvement that students can get here is unmatched by other schools. Where else can you see an amazing basketball game and attend a lecture by His Holiness the Dalai Lama? Compared to other schools our size and in the region we are more accessible and affordable, which allows many students the opportunity to attend what is truly a wonderful place - the University of Northern Iowa."
The magazine's ranking criteria includes peer assessment, academic reputation, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation-rate performance, and alumni giving rate.
Truman State University in Missouri was ranked first in the Midwest category. The University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse was second.
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