Aug. 18 , 2006
Contact: Rita Mitchell, University Relations
UT Martin continues in top tier of U.S. News rankings; expects 7th record enrollment
MARTIN, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Martin continued its top-tier ranking for master's level public universities in the South in the 2007 edition of America's Best Colleges compiled by U.S.News & World Report. The rankings, released this week, rate colleges and universities using information gathered from various sources.
UT Martin tied for 21st place among public universities in the South that grant bachelor's and master's degrees.
Colleges are ranked against their peers using information submitted in a survey completed by the institutions and other sources. Categories used to determine the rankings and to measure academic quality include peer assessment, retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and the alumni giving rate.
In the 2007 rankings, UT Martin improved its retention and graduation rates. Dr. Nick Dunagan, UT Martin chancellor, said the university’s efforts to improve total quality are positioning the university to better serve students.
"The U.S. News rankings are important," Dunagan said. "However, my primary concern is improving overall quality in academic programs and services so that our students receive the best education possible.”
The current U.S. News rankings follow six consecutive semesters of record student enrollment at UT Martin. A record 6,484 enrolled for fall 2005 classes, followed by record enrollments for both spring and summer 2006. Early enrollment numbers for fall semester 2006 point to a seventh consecutive record enrollment at the university.
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