Cal Poly Named Best in the West by U.S. News for 25th Straight Year


For the 25th consecutive year, Cal Poly has been named the best public, master’s-level university in the West by U.S. News & World Report’s annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook.

The 2018 guidebook lists Cal Poly in 11th place overall in the West for regional universities. The Western regional list includes 141 public and private institutions in 15 states that provide “a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.” (Universities that grant doctoral degrees, such as those in the University of California system, are listed in a separate category.)

“We are honored that U.S. News has now recognized the value of a Cal Poly education for a quarter of a century,” Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong said. “This impressive distinction would not be possible without our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, who provide the foundation for our students’ successful Learn by Doing experience, along with our crucial industry partnerships and continued support from our generous alumni and friends.”

Cal Poly’s College of Engineering ranked No. 7 on the list of best engineering master’s/bachelor’s programs in the nation, in a tie with Bucknell University of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Among specialty programs, the college’s computer engineering program was ranked No. 2 nationwide; civil engineering tied for second; and aerospace, electrical and mechanical engineering each ranked third.

Cal Poly also ranked sixth in the West for most veteran-friendly universities — a listing that shows military vets and active-duty service members which top-ranked schools offer benefits that can help them make pursuing a college education more affordable. Cal Poly is also the top-ranked public university in this category.

The U.S. News rankings methodology focuses on academic excellence, with schools evaluated on hundreds of data points and up to 15 measures of academic quality. Overall, the rankings emphasize student outcomes — such as graduation and freshman retention rates — which carry the most weight at 30 percent.

For more on Cal Poly’s ranking, visit: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/cal-poly-1143.

Cal Poly Named Best in the West for 24th Consecutive Year


Cal PolyCal Poly is once again the best public, master’s-level university in the West — the 24th straight year the university has earned the distinction in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook.

The 2017 guidebook lists Cal Poly in a tie with Saint Mary’s College for ninth place overall in the West for regional universities (up from from 10th place last year) and above all other public universities in the region. The Western regional list includes 124 public and private institutions in 15 states that provide “a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.” (Universities that grant doctoral degrees, such as those in the University of California system, are listed in a separate category.)

Cal Poly ranks in the Top 10 behind (in order): Trinity University, Santa Clarita University, Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga University, Mills College, Chapman University, University of Portland, and Seattle University.

“Our continued inclusion in the prestigious U.S. News rankings is a testament to the Cal Poly community’s unwavering passion for providing the best possible Learn by Doing experience for all of our students,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Only through our faculty’s innovation and dedication to Learn by Doing; our staff members’ commitment to daily excellence; and our alumni, industry and friends’ support are we able to help our students become the industry and community leaders of tomorrow.

“We are thankful to those who recognize the excellence of our programs and our graduates and to everyone who endeavors to make Cal Poly better every day.”

Cal Poly’s College of Engineering moves up two spots to No. 5 on the list of best master’s/bachelor’s program in the nation. Among specialty programs, the college’s environmental engineering program is lauded as the best master’s/bachelor’s program in the nation, the civil engineering program ranks third, electrical engineering is tied for fourth, and mechanical engineering is ranked fifth.

As well, The Orfalea College of Business appears for the second straight year on the magazine’s list of best undergraduate business programs.

Cal Poly also ranks sixth in the West (up from 10th last year) for most veteran-friendly universities — a listing that shows military vets and active-duty service members which top-ranked schools offer benefits that can help them make pursuing a college education more affordable. Cal Poly is also the top-ranked public university in this category.

 

The U.S. News rankings are available at the U.S. News & World Report website.

Cal Poly, the Orfalea College of Business Ranked Highly by U.S. News and World Report


Ranked by US News
Cal Poly and the Orfalea College of Business received high marks from U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking of top universities. Cal Poly has kept its streak alive for 23 years as the best public-master’s university in the West. The Orfalea College of Business was also ranked among nation’s top undergraduate business schools. This is the first time the college has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report.

In the rankings released in August 2015, the university also tied for 10th in the magazine’s overall list of the West’s best universities, which includes 116 public and private institutions in 15 states.

“We are humbled by the recognition of this prestigious ranking,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “It is always gratifying to see Cal Poly honored for our singular Learn by Doing approach to education.”

Cal Poly picked up a number of other college-level and university-wide accolades. The university’s engineering program, was again ranked seventh-best master’s and bachelor’s program in the nation, and the civil engineering and mechanical engineering programs were ranked third in the nation.

Cal Poly was also ranked 10th best veteran-friendly university among Western universities — a listing that shows military vets and active-duty service members which top-ranked schools offer benefits that can help them make pursuing a college education more affordable.

The U.S. News rankings are available at www.usnews.com/colleges.

Cal Poly Ranked Best In the West by U.S. News for 21st Consecutive Year


Cal Poly has been rated the best public-master’s university in the West in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2014 America’s Best Colleges guidebook — the 21st consecutive year the university has earned the label.

Cal Poly ranked ninth in the magazine’s overall list of the West’s best universities, including both public and private institutions that provide “a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.” U.S. News ranks colleges that grant doctoral degrees, such as those in the University of California system, in a separate category.

“Cal Poly’s excellence is deep and enduring, as shown by our continued success in this prestigious ranking,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “This honor belongs to our dedicated faculty and staff members, who provide the backbone of the Learn by Doing experience. And it belongs to our loyal alumni, whose generous support enriches the educational experience that transforms our students into the innovative leaders and resourceful professionals who can help solve society’s most difficult challenges.”

Cal Poly’s College of Engineering was named the fourth best public-master’s engineering program in the country, behind the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy.

A number of Cal Poly Engineering programs ranked high in the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs in their specialty categories. The university’s Mechanical Engineering program ranked No. 2 in the nation. Civil and computer engineering ranked No. 3 on their respective lists. Electrical Engineering ranked No. 5.

The U.S. News rankings are available at www.usnews.com/colleges. The 2014 America’s Best Colleges Guidebook hits newsstands Sept. 24.