U.S. News, America's Best Colleges 2006

UA in the U.S. News & World Report Rankings

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – For the fifth consecutive year, Alabama has two public universities – The University of Alabama and Auburn University – among the nation’s top 50, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings for 2006.

UA is tied with the University of Massachusetts-Amherst for 50th among the hundreds of public universities that U.S. News reviews each year. UA is ranked in the first tier of national universities, including both public and private.

“As Alabama’s flagship university, we are pleased to be ranked in the top 50 for the fifth consecutive year. High school students are taking note of our success. This year’s freshman class will include record numbers of Honors College students and National Merit, Achievement and Hispanic Scholars,” said UA President Robert E. Witt. “Competition among our peers is keen but only enhances the academic experience for all students. We salute Auburn on their success as well.”

U.S. News noted that 42 percent of UA’s classes had fewer than 20 students, putting UA first among Southeastern Conference public universities in numbers of small classes. UA also ranks among the top 20 public universities nationally in percentage of classes under 20.

“We are especially pleased to be recognized for small class sizes supporting our desire to provide as much individual attention as possible for our students,” Witt said.

U.S. News also cited UA’s acceptance rate of 77 percent, with selectivity being a significant measure in the ranking formula.