UT Website Ranked Top in the Nation by Education Organization

The University of Tampa website is among the most highly rated in the country, scoring in the top 100 of all sites rated, and earning an “A” ranking. The UT website was recognized in the 14th annual My College Options® Enrollment Power Index® (EPI), an analysis of the admissions websites of nearly 3,000 colleges and universities.

The UT website was redesigned in 2011, providing a dramatic improvement in the appearance, navigability and functionality of the University’s website. The site is undoubtedly the first impression of UT by many of the 140,000 students who inquire about UT annually.

Dennis Nostrand, vice president of enrollment management, said the site was developed with all audiences in mind, but especially knowing that potential students would be looking there for critical admissions information.

“We have made strides to constantly update our site with the latest tools and information that meet the needs of students and ensure that they can learn about what we have to offer,” Nostrand said.

The redesigned site also earned awards from the Association Media & Publishing and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.

MyCollegeOptions.org is the nation’s largest online college planning program. Every summer, its staff of college admissions and Internet experts conducts a research-based analysis that measures how well college and university websites provide information to prospective students to assist them through the application process. Of the post-secondary institutions whose sites were graded, just over 40 percent earned a score of A or B.

“Very few institutions are able to keep up with the rapidly increasing demands of prospective students when it comes to the online user experience,” said Don Munce, president of National Research Center for College & University Admissions (NRCCUA). “To be rated in the top 100 Admissions websites is a powerful statement that the institution has a focus on the cutting-edge.”

The study grades institutions on a 100-point scale, including functionality, design and technology components. The criteria for the study is reviewed and updated annually by internal experts as well as current high school students. Statistical tests are used to determine the specific EPI criteria to be used and their relative importance to students in college planning. This year’s study examined 38 different criteria in four main categories:

Ability to Find Desired Information
Personal Contact with Admissions Staff and Students
Online Interactive Tools
Website Design and Navigation

Additional information on the EPI study is available at www.nrccua.org/epi-report.