BLACKSBURG ( WSLS 10) – Virginia Tech is ranks high among the nation's best universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2016."
Overall, Virginia Tech placed No. 26 among public institutions and No. 70 among all national universities, tying with Texas A&M University. Both rankings are up one spot from last year.
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According to Virginia Tech's website, executive vice president and provost, Thanassis Rikakis says, "Virginia Tech is nationally recognized for providing access for students to receive a solid education that prepares to directly impact the human condition."
U.S. News builds the lists based on academic excellence, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance, and alumni giving. It is the 31st year of the annual ranking.
Virginia Tech's College of Engineering also ranked No. 8 among public institutions and No. 15 among all national institution.
U.S. News ranks the top five schools for individual engineering programs. The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, formed in 2014 from a merger of the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics with the college's biomedical engineering program, earns a No. 4 ranking among engineering science programs. The Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering earns a No. 5 ranking, tying with Northwestern University and Stanford University.
Dean of the college of engineers, Richard C. Benson says, "These rankings again show the Virginia Tech College of Engineering's reputation as a top choice for aspiring engineers, not just for students from the United States, but the world over."
Also new this year, Virginia Tech makes the lists for "Best Colleges for Veterans" and a "High School Counselors' Top Picks."
In recognition of military-friendly certifications, policies, and programs, the university ranks No. 20 among public institutions and No. 58 among all institutions for military veterans and active-duty service members. U.S. News ranks schools that are certified for the GI Bill and participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program or a public school that charges in-state tuition to all out-of-state veterans.U.S. News also surveyed high school counselors from more than 2,200 schools in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Among national universities, Virginia Tech came in at No. 12 among public institutions and No. 46 among all national universities.
For more information visit vtnews.vt.edu.