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ESF Rises to No. 77 on U.S. News ‘Best Colleges’ List
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) has again earned a place among the top universities in America as ranked by U.S. News & World Report magazine.
ESF is ranked number 77 in the National Universities category of the magazine's 2013 edition of Best Colleges and 32 on the list of Top Public Schools.
The National Universities category includes schools that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors and master's and doctoral degrees while also being involved in major research activities. ESF moved up from the number 82 ranking it held last year. ESF is the highest-ranked SUNY institution on the list, which also includes the university centers at Binghamton, Stony Brook, Buffalo and Albany. Both public and private institutions are included in the National Universities category.
Among public universities, ESF moved up from last year's ranking of 36. ESF is the highest-ranked SUNY institution on that list, which also includes the four university centers.
ESF also earned a ranking of 42 on the Great Schools at Great Prices list. The recognition comes just a month after Forbes ranked the college at 54 on its list of "Top 100 Best Buy Colleges" for the year.
U.S. News & World Report pointed out that 65 percent of ESF students receive need-based grants. Inclusion in the Great Schools at Great Prices category takes into account a school's academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average amount of financial aid. The magazine says only schools ranked in the top half of their quality categories are included because U.S. News & World Report considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically. ESF is the only SUNY institution on that list.
"This is the strongest ranking ESF has had in 10 years," said ESF President Cornelius B. Murphy, Jr. "Our place on the list of national universities, combined with the recognition of the value we provide our students, is evidence that ESF provides a remarkable education. We are very pleased at the continuing recognition provided by U.S. News & World Report. It is largely earned by our extraordinary faculty and students, who continue to focus their efforts on improving our world."
SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said the rankings reflect the success of the 64-campus state university system.
"We are delighted to see so many SUNY schools ranked among the nation's "Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report again this year," Zimpher said. "In New York, Governor Cuomo and our public colleges have worked very hard to provide an education of the highest quality that is both affordable and accessible. Today's rankings are a testament to our success and to the outstanding quality of our campuses throughout New York state."