UT Achieves US News Top Tier Ranking

UT is ranked 33rd out of 130 colleges and universities in the Master’s Category, southern region. Including all geographical regions, the category includes 573 institutions nationwide that are listed in one of the four tiers.

The Master’s category is defined by the Carnegie Foundation as a class of schools that “provide a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s level programs.”

Rankings are based on several key measures of academic quality: academic reputation, first-year retention of freshmen, six year retention, faculty resources (class size, teaching aids), average admission test scores of incoming students, financial resources, and alumni giving.

“We’re very pleased to be recognized in the top tier of schools because the designation confirms what we have been working toward and also supports what we already knew, that The University of Tampa is an institution of high quality and educational excellence,” said President Ronald L. Vaughn.

Six years ago, the University began a comprehensive and broad-based effort on all educational fronts to enhance the educational experience at the University.

It included recruitment of many outstanding faculty members, a much expanded academic support system, recruitment of higher ability students, improved learning environments, enhanced faculty development, support of numerous teaching innovations, a transformed technology infrastructure, and a strengthened curriculum, including development of an exceptional Baccalaureate Experience and Honors Program.

When the University first began its re-emphasis on quality (in 1995), UT was in the third tier of the U.S. News and World Report college rankings.

“In 1996 we moved to the second tier and in this year’s report, we’re in the top category. We remain committed to our focus on academic excellence,” said Vaughn.

For more information, contact the Office of Public Information at publicinfo@ut.edu.