Release Date: Thursday, September 12, 2002

UGA AGAIN NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP 20 PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES; TERRY COLLEGE RANKED 25th AMONG "BEST BUSINESS PROGRAMS"

ATHENS, Ga. — The University of Georgia has again been named one of America's top 20 public universities by U.S. News and World Report, which annually ranks colleges and universities. UGA is tied for 18th - the same position it held in the 2002 rankings - with the University of Maryland at College Park.

"The fact that U.S. News has again recognized the University of Georgia as one of the best public universities in America is very encouraging," said President Michael F. Adams. "And it's true - this is one of America's best public universities. We are attracting and educating some of the best students in the country. We are creating new knowledge and addressing the problems of society through research. And we are serving the people of Georgia and this country in new and exciting ways."

UGA has risen eight spots in the ranking in the past five years, from 26th in 1999 to 18th in 2002 and 2003. In the 2003 list, UGA is ranked ahead of Purdue, the University of Minnesota, Ohio State and Indian University, among others.

UGA is also ranked 27th among the "Great Schools at Great Prices," a ranking which includes only those schools in the top half of their categories. "We believe the most significant values are among colleges that are above average academically," the editors write.

The Terry College of Business is tied for 25th in the "Best Business Programs" list, climbing five spots from the 2002 ranking. The insurance/risk management program is tied for third. "We are pleased to see the Terry College again move up in the rankings," said Dean P. George Benson. "And with our recent shift to become an upper-division undergraduate program that enrolls only third- and fourth-year students, the quality of the undergraduate experience for our students and faculty will only get better."

U.S. News and World Report bases its annual ranking on several factors, including academic reputation, student retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving and graduation rates. The rankings will be available online Friday, September 13, at www.usnews.com; the newsstand book "America's Best Colleges" will be available Monday, September 16, and the September 23 issue of U.S. News and World Report will also contain rankings information and articles on higher education. The magazine ranks public and private national universities with doctoral programs. The University of Georgia is ranked with other public universities with doctoral programs.

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