U.S. News & World Report places Tuskegee University fourth among the nation’s best Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the magazine’s latest rankings.
According to the report for 2021, released Sept. 14, improved student retention and alumni giving helped move Tuskegee forward from eighth place in the 2020 ranking. It is the second time in a row that Tuskegee has been ranked among the top 10 HBCUs.
“We are thrilled that U.S. News & World Report has ranked Tuskegee among the nation’s top collegiate institutions,” said Tuskegee University President Lily D. McNair. “The new rankings reflect the university’s focus on student success and the enthusiastic support of our outstanding alumni.
“Since I arrived at Tuskegee, the motto ‘Excellence in Every Way’ is what drives the work we do every day,” McNair said.
To identify the nation’s best HBCUs, U.S. News measures the quality of undergraduate education programs and other relevant metrics. In addition to ranking fourth among HBCUs nationally, Tuskegee appeared on the magazine’s 2021 list of “Best Regional Universities-South,” advancing five places to the 20th spot. The university also tied for 20th place in the category, “Undergraduate Teaching – Regional Universities-South.”
Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Tuskegee University offers students 42 bachelor’s, 16 master’s and six doctoral degree options. Several academic units and degree programs in specialized fields or disciplines are also accredited by their respective accrediting bodies.
“Moving from 15th to fourth in a matter of two or three years is quite an achievement,” said Tuskegee University Board Chair Norma B. Clayton. “It affirms the improvements the university has made over the last few years in using data and other tools to improve the outcomes that matter most.”
Along with Tuskegee, many other Alabama colleges and universities are featured on U.S. News’ 2021 lists of best colleges. Here are the best colleges in Alabama and their rank in the report’s various categories.
National Universities
- Auburn University – 97 (tie)
- Samford University and University of Alabama – tied at 143
- University of Alabama at Birmingham – 153
- University of Alabama in Huntsville – 272 (tie)
National Liberal Arts Colleges
- Birmingham-Southern College – 130 (tie)
Regional Colleges-South
- Huntingdon College – 14 (tie)
- University of Mobile – 16 (tie)
- Tuskegee University – 20
- University of Montevallo – 26 (tie)
- University of North Alabama – 40 (tie)
- Oakwood University – 47 (tie)
- Troy University – 51 (tie)
- Jacksonville State University – 62 (tie)
- Auburn University at Montgomery – 73 (tie)
- Alabama State University – 94 (tie)
HBCUs
- Tuskegee University – 4
- Oakwood University – 30
- Talladega College – 34 (tie)
- Alabama A&M University – 37
- Alabama State University – 38 (tie)
- Stillman College – 46 (tie)
For more information on universities’ standings and U.S. News’ ranking methodologies, visit https://www.usnews.com/info/blogs/press-room/articles/2020-09-14/us-news-announces-the-2021-best-colleges-rankings.
(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)
