U.S. News Ranks Mercer Among the Best Universities in the South — Again

1241

(To review all of Mercer University’s recent rankings and recognition, click here.)

MACON, Ga. — Academic excellence at a great price continues to place Mercer University among America’s best institutions of higher education in the latest U.S. News & World Report college guide.

The 2008 edition of U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges, released today, ranks Mercer 7th in the South in the “Best Universities-Master’s” category. Mercer, which has made the best college list for 18 consecutive years, is the highest ranked Georgia institution in the South category. 

The popular college guide also ranks Mercer in the top 5 in the South among “Best Universities-Master’s” in the category of “Great Schools, Great Prices.” The ranking reflects the magazine’s selection of institutions based on the formula of “the higher the quality of the program and the lower the cost, the better the deal.”

Under “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs,” Mercer School of Engineering placed 38th nationally, tied with eight other engineering schools. Mercer is one of only four engineering schools in the South in the ranking. Since its establishment in 1985, Mercer School of Engineering has developed a strong reputation among employers in the state and is the single largest source of engineers for Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins. The school will expand its classes and research initiatives to the new $14 million Science and Engineering building on the Macon campus this month.

The “Best Universities – Master’s” category is for institutions that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s programs, and a few, if any, doctoral programs. A total of 574 universities are ranked within four geographic areas – North, South, Midwest and West. Mercer has ranked among the top 15 in the South since 1989 and among the top 10 institutions in its category for the past nine years.

Mercer has also been recognized in previous years by U.S. News and World Report in its America’s Best Graduate Schools guides. Schools that have been ranked include Mercer’s Walter F. George School of Law, among the top 100 law schools in the country and with the number one legal writing program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Mercer School of Medicine.

About Mercer University:
Founded in 1833, Mercer University is a dynamic and comprehensive center of undergraduate, graduate and professional education, the University has 7,300 students; 11 schools and colleges – liberal arts, law, pharmacy, medicine, business, engineering, education, theology, music, nursing and continuing and professional studies; major campuses in Macon and Atlanta; four regional academic centers across the state; a university press; teaching hospitals in Macon and Savannah; an educational partnership with Warner Robins Air Logistics Center in Warner Robins and Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta; an engineering research center in Warner Robins; a performing arts center in Macon; and a NCAA Division I athletic program. For more information, visit www.mercer.edu.

2008 Best Universities – Master’s
South

School Overall Score Average Freshman Retention Rate % classes under 20 Student/ Faculty ratio Freshmen in top 25% of HS class
1. Rollins College 100  84%   63% 10/1  65% 
2. Elon University 95   88%  45% 14/1  64% 
2. Stetson University 95   79% 60%  11/1  82% 
4. James Madison University 92  92% 31%   16/1 78% 
5. The Citadel  89   81%  41% 15/1  32% 
6. Loyola University, New Orleans  85  81%  53%  11/1  51% 
7. Mercer University 82  80%  63%  12/1  72% 
8. College of Charleston 79  83%  34%  13/1  66% 
9. U. of Mary Washington  78   86% 45%  15/1  74% 
10. Appalachian State University  76  85%  39%  17/1  50% 

2008 Great Schools, Great Prices
Universities – Master’s
South

School % Receiving grants based on need Average cost after receiving grants based on need Average discount from total cost
1. The Citadel 35%  $14,584   47%
2. Rollins College  41% $19,659  56% 
3. Converse College 68%   $15,978  51%
4. Stetson University  52%  $21,031  44% 
5. Mercer University 64%  $19,769   44%
6. Mississippi College 31%  $12,999  40% 
7. Loyola University, New Orleans  45%  $20,055  44% 
8. Spring Hill College  61%  $19,451  42% 
9. Queens University of Charlotte 58%  $17,093  41% 
10. Brenau University  70%  $15,901  44%$ 

2008 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
Best Programs

School Peer Assessment Score
(5 = highest)
1. Harvey Mudd College 4.5 
1. Rose-Hulman Inst. of Tech 4.5 
3. Cooper Union  4.2 
4. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo  4.0 
5. United States Military Academy  3.9
5. United States Naval Academy  3.9 
7. Bucknell University  3.8 
7. United States Air Force Academy  3.8 
9. Embry Riddle Aeronautical  3.6 
9. Villanova University  3.6 
11. Kettering University  3.4 
11. Lafayette College  3.4 
11. Milwaukee School of Engineering 3.4 
11. Swarthmore College  3.4 
11. United States Coast Guard Academy  3.4 
16. Calif. State Poly. Univ.-Pomona  3.3 
16. Rowan University  3.3 
16. San Jose State University  3.3 
16. Union College  3.3 
20. Baylor University  3.2 
20. Bradley University  3.2 
20. Embry Riddle Aeronaut. U. – Prescott  3.2 
20. Santa Clara University  3.2 
20. Valparaiso University  3.2 
25. Gonzaga University  3.1 
25. Loyola Marymount University  3.1 
25. Smith College  3.1 
25. Univ. of Colo.-Colorado Springs  3.1 
25. University of San Diego  3.1 
25. Virginia Military Institute 3.1 
31. California State U.-Los Angeles  3.0 
31. St. Louis University  3.0 
31. Trinity University  3.0 
31. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy  3.0 
31. University of Michigan-Dearborn 3.0 
31. University of Portland  3.0 
31. Webb Institute  3.0 
38. Boise State University  2.9 
38. California State U.-Northridge  2.9 
38. The Citadel 2.9 
38. Manhattan College  2.9 
38. Mercer University  2.9 
38. Miami University-Oxford  2.9 
38. Northern Arizona University 2.9 
38. University of Detroit Mercy  2.9 
38. University of Minnesota-Duluth  2.9