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Embry-Riddle Again Soars in U.S. News & World Report's Best College Rankings

Daytona Beach, Fla., Aug. 19, 2004 -- U.S. News & World Report's 2005 "Best Colleges" guide has again ranked Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University number one in Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering for schools where the highest degree is a master's.

Embry-Riddle has received the honor every year since the category was introduced in 2001.

"We are honored that U.S. News has named Embry-Riddle the best in Aerospace Engineering for the fifth year in a row," said Embry-Riddle President George Ebbs. "We are also proud to be listed among the best overall engineering programs in the nation," Ebbs said.

Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus was followed by the U.S. Air Force Academy in the Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering category, with Embry-Riddle's Prescott, Ariz., campus ranking third, tied with the U.S. Naval Academy.

In the "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs" where the highest degree is a master's, Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus was listed at number 10 and the Prescott campus at number 21.

In the "Best Universities - Master's" category (South Region), Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus tied for 19th with Belmont University of Nashville. Rankings for the "Best University" category are based on reputation (25%), graduation and retention rates (25%), faculty resources (20%), student selectivity (15%), financial resources (10%), and alumni giving rate (5%).

Rankings for the engineering programs are based solely on reputation.

"These rankings are important in that they let us know that the great work being done by our students, faculty, and staff is receiving national recognition," Dr. Ebbs said.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 degree programs through its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering and meets the needs of students and industry through education, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates more than 28,000 students annually in undergraduate and graduate programs at residential campuses in Prescott, Ariz., and Daytona Beach, Fla., through its Extended Campus at more than 130 teaching centers in the United States and Europe, and worldwide through distance learning.