‘U.S. News’ Again Ranks Duquesne Among Best Colleges, Best Value Schools and More

U.S. News and World Report has ranked Duquesne University in the top tier of schools for the ninth consecutive year in its annual edition of the Best Colleges rankings. Duquesne is ranked No. 124 in the Best National Universities category and is recognized at No. 37 in the Best Value Schools category, marking a six-spot increase from last year.

U.S. News ranked its Best Values Schools based on the ratio of quality to price; the percentage of all undergrads receiving need-based scholarships or grants during the 2015-16 year; and the average discount, which is the percentage of a school’s total costs for 2015-16 covered divided by the average need-based scholarship or grant to undergrads.

“We are pleased to again be recognized as a best value school,” said Paul-James Cukanna, associate provost for enrollment management. “Value is an important aspect for prospective students and their families. Each member of our community, through attentiveness to their daily work, creates value for our students.”

Other Duquesne University highlights from the 2017 Best Colleges rankings include:

• Ranked No. 82 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category (up 12 spots from last year). This list recognizes schools from the 2017 rankings that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.
• Named No. 98 in the High School Counselor Rankings (a 28-spot increase from last year). To create this list, guidance counselors across the nation rate universities on a scale of 1 to 5.
• Ranked No. 150 in the Best Undergraduate Business Programs category (up 41 spots from last year).

In addition, Duquesne is No. 13 among the national Catholic universities within the U.S. News top tier schools.

“Our collaborative efforts reassure families that a Duquesne-Spiritan education is an investment that will pay dividends over a lifetime,” said Cukanna. “This reassurance is reflected in the size, diversity and academic competitiveness of our freshman classes.”

The U.S. News Best Colleges rankings focus on academic excellence, and schools are ranked on up to 15 measures of academic quality. The overall rankings emphasize student outcomes, including graduation and retention rates, which carry the majority of the weight at 30 percent.