September 26, 2000
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for fall 2000 has been released Press release.
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The Fiske Guide, the nation's oldest and most highly rated college guide, also names KU as one of the nation's "best buys" in higher education. The guide describes its 42 "best buy" universities - 19 of which are public schools - as those offering "remarkable educational opportunities at a relatively modest price."
"The Fiske Guide ratings are gratifying, and indeed Kansans should be very proud of the high-quality programs this university offers," said Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "Considering that KU ranks low nationally in terms of its budget and faculty salaries, this kind of recognition speaks volumes about the dedication and quality of our faculty and staff."
Fiske lists KU's programs in journalism, engineering, education, social sciences, physical sciences, architecture, and fine arts as its strongest, and lauds undergraduate programs in architecture and urban design, allied health, fine arts, social welfare, pharmacy, nursing, education, business and engineering. "The journalism, architecture and business programs receive rave reviews from students," according to the guide.
Former New York Times education writer Edward B. Fiske uses a journalistic style to profile 300 of the "best and most interesting" U.S. and Canadian colleges and universities. The guide uses surveys, questionnaires and interviews to gather its information. KU is the only Kansas university listed in the guide.
Five stars are possible in three areas: academics, quality of life and social life. Of the 12 members of the Big 12 Conference, Fiske evaluates nine schools. In addition to KU, the University of Texas and the University of Colorado earned four stars for academics.
The University of Oklahoma, Iowa State University, Texas A&M, Baylor University, the University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska earned three stars for academics.
The Fiske Guide cited KU, Texas, Colorado and Baylor as "best buys." Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University and Texas Tech University were not included in the guide.
KU received a score of 4 out of a possible 5 stars for quality of life and social life.
KU also has been named a "best buy" by Barron's Best Buys in College Education. In the latest U.S. News and World Report annual undergraduate college rankings, KU ranks among the top 50 national public universities in the nation. In the magazine's latest graduate and undergraduate ranking, 17 academic programs rate in the top 30 in the nation and two rank as No. 1.
In addition, last year KU enrolled 101 National Merit Scholars, ninth in the nation among public universities. This year, KU has enrolled 116 National Merit Scholars.
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