Bloomington, IUPUI and Kelley School of Business recognized in U.S. News rankings

  • Sept. 10, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- This year's U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges edition noted several Indiana University programs as worthy of special mention, including its Kelley School of Business -- which moved back into the top 10 nationally among undergraduate business programs -- and several student-focused initiatives at IU Bloomington and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

IU Bloomington jumped eight positions in U.S. News' list of "best national universities," from 83rd to 75th overall and 31st among public research universities in that group, up from 36th a year ago. IUPUI continues to be seen by U.S. News as an "Up-and-Comer," based on comments from university presidents, provosts and admissions deans, improving from seventh to fifth on that list.

IUPUI and IU Bloomington were recognized for offering programs that help both incoming freshmen and undergraduates to succeed. Both campuses were cited for their first-year experiences, which help freshmen to feel more connected to the campus.

IUPUI again was recognized for its learning communities and service learning programs. Study abroad programs at IU Bloomington were recognized for providing students with considerable interaction with other cultures worldwide.

"Because other college and university presidents are the ones who have identified IUPUI as 'up-and-coming,' the U.S. News rankings confirm that IUPUI's talented faculty and staff are national leaders in building programs that engage students actively in learning through research, service and other experience-based activities. These programs help students connect with each other and with faculty and staff, which supports students' persistence to graduation," said Charles Bantz, IUPUI chancellor and IU executive vice president.

The Kelley School of Business continues to rank second among Big Ten institutions and sixth among those at public universities. Nine specialties were ranked in the top 10. Its entrepreneurship specialty was No. 1 among public schools and fourth overall. Its marketing specialty ranked third among public schools and fourth overall. Its accounting program was ranked fourth among public schools and eighth overall. Its finance and its its management specialties were ninth overall and its information systems, production/operations management and quantitative analysis specialties were 10th.

Kelley School of Business Dean Idie Kesner said she is not surprised to see the improvement in the ranking.

"Our undergraduate program continues to climb among the top-tier business programs, as do our MBA and specialized master's programs," said Kesner, who is the Frank P. Popoff Chair of Strategic Management. "Everyone at the Kelley School – our faculty, advisers, career coaches and staff -- works together to make sure our students have the talent to succeed and the courage to face challenges. Our strong partnerships with hiring companies and the support of the largest business school alumni network in the world mean we’ll continue that climb. I’m very excited about Kelley's future."

Ramesh Venkataraman, chair of the undergraduate program and Lawrence D. Glaubinger Professor of Business Administration, said the program's flexibility and the continued expansion of global opportunities are a good fit for today's students.

"The undergraduate program continues to innovate and integrate new approaches in the curriculum," he said. "This assures that Kelley students think about business in a global context, have substantive engagement with corporate recruiters in and out of the classroom, and have every possible opportunity to practice the theory they learn in the classroom in real-world situations."

U.S. News asked college presidents and other administrators which higher education institutions recently had made "most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus or facilities." The publication ranked IUPUI fifth in its list of "2012 Up-and-Comers."

This is the 12th consecutive year that U.S. News has highlighted the IU Bloomington and IUPUI campuses for offering programs that help ensure a positive collegiate experience for new freshman and undergraduates. "Some colleges and universities are much more determined than others to provide freshmen and all undergrads with the best possible experience, recognizing that certain enriched offerings, from service learning to learning communities to study abroad, are linked to student success," the editors wrote.

Highlights of the 2013 America's Best Colleges rankings were published online today and will appear in its Best Colleges 2014 Guidebook.


 

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