KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has “sophistication” and a “bounty of opportunities” and is a “major player in behavioral research” according to the 2010 edition of the renowned Fiske Guide to Colleges. KU is the only Kansas university rated by the guide.

The guide gives KU four stars for academics, social life and quality of life, lauding the university’s “excellent honors programs” as well as its beautiful campus — “one of the loveliest in the United States.”

The guide notes that according to its survey of students, the university received particular praise for “its academic advising and for its help with internships, disability services and extracurriculars.” Students also gave “rave reviews” to Lawrence. One student declared, “Lawrence is the American college town. Period.”

“KU’s academic value is hard to top,” the guide reported. “With nearly 40 nationally ranked academic programs, Kansas’ reputation (the nonbasketball one) continues to grow. Comprehensive study abroad programs, extensive undergraduate research opportunities and a thriving social scene are just some of the reasons students become a Jayhawk.”

In a listing of universities with “unusual strength” in certain preprofessional areas, KU was cited for architecture, business, communications/journalism, engineering and film/television. Other programs cited for academic strength were economics, environmental studies, nursing, pharmacy, social welfare, premed studies and Spanish and Portuguese.