Innovation and dedication at ACU have helped distinguish the university among the country’s most prominent colleges, according to U.S. News & World Report’s most recent national college rankings.
The August World Report article awarded ACU “Best Up and Coming” college in the country’s 15- state Western region which includes schools in Texas, California, Oklahoma and Arizona. College presidents, provosts and admissions deans nominated colleges in their ranking category for “making promising and innovative changes.” U.S. News & World Report then based their rankings on the responses to this peer-university survey.
“ACU is an innovative institution and this says that people are noticing, particularly leaders at other colleges and universities,” said provost Jeanine Varner in an email.
The national report also placed ACU as No. 2 in the Western region for “Best Undergrad Teaching.” This award recognizes ACU faculty’s demonstration of unusual commitment, said Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university.
Colin Barnard, senior political science major from Abilene, said he credited the faculty for the entirety of ACU’s climb in rankings.
“During my time at ACU, the faculty has been extraordinary,” Barnard said.
ACU moved up a spot in overall ranking to No. 19 in the Western region for “Best Regional Universities.” World Report calculates overall rankings according numerous factors such as location, cost and availability of financial aid, graduation and retention rates, and university activities.
“Moving up on the list from 20 to 19 is a great thing as well, and we hope to continue to see that get stronger,” Schubert said.
Forbes magazine also placed ACU among the top 7 percent of U.S. higher education institutions this month. ACU and Pepperdine University are the only two Church of Christ-affiliated institutions on the list.
Although not the only measurement of progress and success, the improvements in national rankings are a serious indicator for actual university improvement, said Varner.
Varner also said ACU is always considering ways to improve; paying specific attention right now to undergraduate research, faculty salaries and faculty development opportunities.
“We never want to rest on our laurels,” she said. “We are always seeking to determine what our students need to know, and to find better and better ways to improve the learning process.”
