TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama has been ranked among the top 50 public universities in the nation in U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings for the third consecutive year.

UA is ranked 48th among public national universities, and 99th among all national universities, both public and private. Some 248 universities were listed in the national rankings, including 162 public institutions.

UA’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration is ranked 53rd nationally among undergraduate business programs, both public and private. The Culverhouse School of Accountancy, a division of the business school, is ranked 25th among undergraduate accounting programs. UA’s College of Engineering is ranked 84th among undergraduate engineering programs, both public and private.

“We are pleased to be recognized among the top 50 public universities once again. We plan to continue the progress we have made in the last few years in all areas of the University,” UA President Robert E. Witt said.

U.S. News cited UA’s 83 percent freshman retention rate as one of the criteria used in compiling the rankings. It also noted that 44 percent of UA’s classes had fewer than 20 students.

Last spring in U.S. News’ rankings of graduate schools, UA’s School of Law was ranked among the top 50 law schools for the fifth time in as many years.