SU Ranks Well in 2008 National College Guidebooks

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University students returning to campus this week have something to celebrate– the University is again ranked among the top schools in 2008 national college guidebooks.

In the Princeton Review, U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek-Kaplan, SU places high among its peers.

For the ninth consecutive year Salisbury University is ranked as one of the nation’s best colleges in The Best 366 Colleges by The Princeton Review.

The Princeton Review’s list is compiled through a combination of statistical analysis, campus visits and student surveys which the authors characterize as “qualitative and anecdotal rather than quantitative and scientific.” Its rankings represent the top 15 percent of colleges and universities, both public and private, in the nation.

In the 2008 rankings, SU also was named one of Princeton Review’s Best Northeastern Universities.

Newsweek-Kaplan's 2008 How to Get Into College guide also named SU one of "America's 372 Most Interesting Schools." Salisbury has earned the honor from Newsweek Kaplan since it began publishing college guides four years ago. The “Most Interesting” schools are based on criteria including academic strengths, student body profile and specialty programs.

Dr. Ellen Neufeldt, vice president of student affairs at SU, was interviewed in the most recent Newsweek-Kaplan guide on the growing trend of schools making standardized test scores optional for admission. This year, SU became the first institution in the University System of Maryland to institute a five-year test-optional pilot study.

These honors come on the heels of last week’s ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2008 America’s Best Colleges guide.

For the 11th consecutive year, SU was named one of the Top Public Universities—Master’s category (North). Ranked at No. 7, SU maintains its status as the highest-placing public Master’s-level university in Maryland.

"We are proud that Salisbury University has consistently ranked one of the top institutions of its kind in U.S. News for more than a decade,” said Provost Tom Jones. “This is external validation of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. It is because of their commitment to our students that SU has become a Maryland university of national distinction.”

The 574 universities in the Master’s category are split among four geographic areas—North, South, Midwest and West. In the northern region, SU ranked 38 among 174 publics and privates.

Other institutions in the Top Public Universities—Master’s category (North) include College of New Jersey (1), SUNY College of Arts And Sciences—Geneseo (2) and Rutgers—Camden (3). The other Maryland campus on the list was Towson University (tied for 9).

U.S. News uses several criteria to measure academic quality including academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, financial resources, faculty resources, student selectivity, and alumni giving.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.