U.S. News and World Report
has again ranked UW-Stevens Point as one of the best public universities in the
Midwest. The magazine’s 2014 rankings place UW-Stevens Point in a tie for ninth
in the top tier of Midwestern comprehensive public universities. It was ranked
10th in 2013.
Victory Media has recognized
UW-Stevens Point as a 2014 Military Friendly School® for its commitment to
providing a supportive environment for military students.
The university was
recognized by U.S. News for having high retention rates, one of the highest
percentages of full-time faculty in the region, a low student-to-faculty of
20:1 ratio and solid reputation among peer institutions.
“We
are pleased UW-Stevens Point continues to be among the best universities in the
Midwest,” said Chancellor Bernie Patterson. “We are committed to recruiting and
retaining veterans and other students and to help them succeed.”
The 2014 edition of
"America's Best Colleges" ranks UW-Stevens Point No. 9 among the top
regional public universities in the Midwest, and 42nd among all private and
public institutions in the Midwest.
“We
are especially proud that our first-to-second-year student retention rate
improved by 5 percentage points in the past four years,” Patterson said. It
rose from 76 percent in 2010 to 81 percent in 2014.
In general, U.S. News and World
Report’s rankings placed more weight on improved retention, graduation and
acceptance rates, as well as student-to-faculty ratios. They
are available at www.usnews.com/colleges.
For the fourth year,
UW-Stevens Point has made G.I. Jobs’ list of the top 15 percent of colleges,
universities and trade schools in the country doing the most to embrace
America’s military service members, veterans and spouses as students and ensuring
their success on campus. These schools are noted for having world-class
programs and policies for student support on campus, academic accreditation,
credit policies, flexibility and other services for those who served.
UW-Stevens Point has about
340 veterans, National Guard members, reservists and military dependents,
according to Ann Whipp, coordinator of Veterans Services. She assists them with
benefits, provides guidance and assistance, and fosters relationships with
community veterans groups, federal agencies, support groups and local law
enforcement.
A list of 2014 ”military
friendly schools” will be distributed in print and digital format to hundreds
of thousands of active and former military personnel in late September by
Victory Media, a veteran-owned business and publisher of G.I. Jobs and the
Guide to Military Friendly Schools.
Both rankings are helpful
tools for students who are beginning to look at colleges and universities and
may not be that familiar with UW-Stevens Point, Patterson said. “If students
are looking at the top ranking universities in the Midwest, they should be
looking at UW-Stevens Point.”
Established in 1894,
UW-Stevens Point is located on a 400-acre campus in Central Wisconsin. More
than 200 student organizations, a 280-acre nature reserve and world-class arts
opportunities attract approximately 9,500 students to enroll at the university
each year.