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Embry-Riddle Keeps Top Spot in U.S. News & World Report’s Best College Rankings

Daytona Beach, Fla., Aug. 18, 2005 -- U.S. News & World Report’s 2006 “America’s 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, which has the largest aerospace engineering program in the nation, has won the top spot every year since the category was introduced in 2001.

“At Embry-Riddle, we strive for excellence in all facets of aviation and aerospace higher education,” said George H. Ebbs, the university’s president. “That we have again been acknowledged by U.S. News & World Report for our efforts is a continuing source of pride.”

Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus is 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 two other categories, Embry-Riddle has moved up in the rankings.

In “Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs” where the highest degree is a master’s, Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus is listed at number 11, tied with Milwaukee School of Engineering and Villanova University. Embry-Riddle’ s Prescott campus ranks number 14, up from 21 last year, tied with California State Polytechnic University (Pomona) and Lafayette College.

In the category of “Best Universities – Master’s” (South Region), Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus moved from 19th place last year to 13th this year, tied with Appalachian State University. 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.

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