For the first time ever, UB has broken into U.S. News & World Report’s top 50 public universities, snagging the No. 48 spot.
UB tied with Auburn University at 48 for public universities and colleges, according to the report that came out last week. UB is still behind other SUNY research schools, like Stony Brook University and Binghamton University, both ranked at 38.
“The ranking reflects the investment that UB has made in its students,” said UB spokesman John Della Contrada.
Buffalo ranked 103 among national private and public universities and colleges, sharing a spot with Auburn University and University of Dayton. UB jumped up three spaces since last year’s public school ranking and six spots from last year’s national public and private school ranking.
Della Contrada said he’s seen UB make academic developments since he came to Buffalo in 1996. He added there are new programs to improve the university as a whole and increase affordability like UB 2020 and “Finish in 4,” which encourages students to graduate on time.
U.S. News also reports 55 percent of UB students graduate without debt.
Students like Jackson Pavlakis, a freshman business major, are pleased UB students generally graduate with lower debt than other students across the country.
“It’s reassuring and it must be helpful for students looking to come to UB,” Pavlakis said.
For students like, Holly Kirchmeyer, a sophomore business major, the ranking goes past what U.S. News can report on. She enjoys the food choices, class sizes and teaching staff members.
U.S. News schools based on factors such as retention rates, financial resources, quality and rank of undergraduate faculty, SAT/ACT scores, high school counselor score and student-faculty ratio.
The colleges are separated into four divisions: national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities and regional colleges. UB is in the national universities division, under public universities.
Adjunct professor Marc Adler, a graduate of UB in 1979, remembers campus life before U.S. News even began ranking universities and colleges.
“UB realized what they needed to do and has taken great strides over the past few years,” Adler said. “From updating old facilities to making good use of multiple campuses, UB has shown tremendous willingness to move forward.”
Regardless of ranking, some students’ disposition of the university remains the same.
“Ranking isn’t important – just go to college, said Jarrod Dillman, a freshman exercise science major. “I knew it was a good school when I applied so this doesn’t change my perspective.”
Annie Morris, a junior studio arts major, was surprised by the ranking. Despite being from the area, UB did not stand out to her as a top university. She said she took UB “for granted.”
Kiplinger’s list of best-valued public universities ranked UB 51 for in-state students –behind schools like Binghamton, Geneseo, Stony Brook and New Paltz. Kiplinger’s list ranked UB third for public universities and colleges with the least debt at graduation in 2014.
Students like Amber Wright, a junior communication and visual arts major, agree there are positive changes taking place at UB.
“Whenever you walk around campus, they’re building something new,” Wright said. “It’s nice that they’re being recognized.”
U.S. News makes its rankings by assessing the country’s 1,400 four-year college and university.
Referring to UB’s future, Adler describes the university as a “sleeping giant waiting to be woken up.”
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