Purdue News

September 1, 2000 Purdue among best universities: Business, engineering rank high WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University's undergraduate programs in engineering and business are among the best in the country, according to rankings compiled by U.S. News & World Report magazine and released today (Friday, 9/1). Purdue's Schools of Engineering rank ninth, up from 11th last year, and its Krannert School of Management ranks 13th in the nation, up from 14th. When compared only to other public universities, Purdue's engineering programs rank fifth and its business programs rank ninth. The magazine bases those rankings on ratings by deans and senior faculty in those disciplines at peer institutions. Overall, the magazine ranks Purdue 20th in the nation among the top public universities. The data for determining the nation's best institutions of higher education come from questionnaires sent to all accredited four-year colleges and universities. The magazine then determines its rankings based on several key measures of quality that fall into seven broad categories: academic reputation; retention; faculty resources; student selectivity; financial resources; alumni giving; and graduation rate performance. The magazine issue ranking America's best colleges and universities will be on newsstands Monday (9/4). In engineering specialties, Purdue ranks No.1 in the industrial/manufacturing engineering category. Other engineering specialties where Purdue ranks are: aeronautics/astronautics, fifth; civil, sixth; mechanical, nuclear and electrical each rank seventh; computer, 10th; chemical and materials each rank 13th; and environmental, 16th. Purdue engineering enrolled more than 6,200 undergraduate students this fall. "It is gratifying to have the engineering undergraduate programs at Purdue recognized as among the best in the nation," said Richard J. Schwartz, dean of engineering. "Purdue engineering ranked No. 5 among the public engineering programs in the country, and all of our programs rank in the top 10 of those at public universities. We are particularly pleased to see the program in industrial engineering recognized as the best in the nation." Several programs in the Krannert School were singled out as among the best departments in the nation. Purdue ranks third in production/operations; 10th in human resources; 13th in management information systems; and 14th in general management. "We are extremely pleased to be ranked in the top 15 undergraduate business programs in the country," said Richard A. Cosier, dean and Leeds Professor of Management. "It is noteworthy that we ranked No. 3 in operations management, which is a traditional strength of the school, and also in the top 15 in three other key programs. Our rankings were very good last year, and they've improved this year. We believe that to be a reflection of our attention to teaching quality and student services." To reinforce that attention, the Krannert School has created a new position, associate dean of programs and student services. The position will be filled by Jerry Lynch, associate professor of economics. The School of Management has nearly 2,500 undergraduate students enrolled this year, majoring in management, accounting, international management and economics. Information on the rankings can be found at the U.S. News & World Report Web site: https://www.usnews.com. The magazine's college guidebook, "America's Best Colleges," containing a directory of more than 1,400 institutions, goes on sale Monday (9/4). Sources: Richard Schwartz, (765) 494-5346; schwartz@ecn.purdue.edu Richard Cosier, (765) 494-4366; rcosier@mgmt.purdue.edu Writer: Amanda Siegfried, (765) 494-2080; asiegfried@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page