UConn Places Highly In Various National Rankings

UConn is considered one of the top public research institutions in the country and the rankings it has consistently received in the last year only reinforce that point

Aerial image of the University of Connecticut during Fall

Aerial image of the University of Connecticut. (Tom Rettig/UConn Photo)

The University of Connecticut is considered one of the top public research institutions in the United States and the rankings it has consistently received in the last year only reinforce that point.

*UConn was ranked the 46th best overall university in the country, public or private, according to The Wall Street Journal. That measurement put UConn ninth in the country among all public universities. The publication ranked UConn highly in affordability, the average time it takes students to earn a degree, and the value a UConn degree adds to a graduate’s salary.

*UConn jumped nine spots in its overall ranking in this year’s U.S. News & World Report rankings to No. 58 this year. UConn remained the 26th-ranked public institution in the country by U.S. News & World Report. UConn showed particular strength in timely graduation rates, reputation among peer institutions, and the retention of first-year students in the rankings. UConn’s U.S. News ranking has been steadily improving since 2000, when it was No. 38 among public institutions.

The four-year average for retention of first-year students is 93%, remaining among the highest in the nation and far above the national average of 80% at four-year public universities. A consistent rate of 84% of UConn students earn their undergraduate degrees in six years or less, markedly higher than the national average of 63% among public institutions.

In addition to the overall ranking, several UConn programs were recognized by U.S. News & World Report in the top 50 nationally.

Best undergraduate nursing programs (No. 31)
Best undergraduate psychology programs (No. 39)
Best undergraduate business programs (No. 47)
Best colleges for veterans among national public institutions (No. 33)

*UConn’s doctoral program in the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources was recently ranked second in the country by the National Academy of Kinesiology. This ranking is based on the research productivity of tenure-track/tenured faculty and doctoral student outcomes.

*UConn’s online Master of Science in Accounting program in the School of Business is ranked sixth nationally by U.S. News & World Report, up from No. 11 two years ago. The online Master of Science in Nursing program is No. 18 nationally, making it the highest ranked program among nursing schools in New England. The online Master of Science in Engineering program is No. 37 nationally, 10 spots higher than last year, and 25 spots higher than two years ago.

*UConn’s Learning Communities program was recently ranked 25th in the country among public institutions by S. News & World Report, marking the first time the program has received a national ranking. Learning Communities help students transition to a university setting by connecting them with faculty, staff, and student leaders of various affinities and identities.

*In April 2023, UConn’s Neag School of Education appeared for the eighth consecutive year as one of the top 25 public graduate schools of education, tied at No. 22, by U.S. News & World Report. Neag was ranked No. 31 among all graduate schools and its special education program was ranked tied for 17th in the country.

*In May 2023, UConn was ranked among the top 20 public universities nationwide by The Wall Street Journal, in which alumni who built careers in accounting, finance, and law earn more than peers who graduated from other institutions, according to data compiled by an organization that researches employment trends.

The data showed that after 10 years in their fields, UConn bachelor’s degree alumni who work in accounting have the eighth highest average salaries among peers from other public institutions; the 13th highest in law; and the 16th highest in finance.

*UConn was ranked sixth in the country in the Sustainable Campus Index in December 2022 and was first in campus engagement and public engagement, tied for second in water conservation, fourth in food and dining programs, and eventh in curriculum.

*UConn John Dempsey Hospital was ranked among the World’s Best Hospitals in the United States by Newsweek and Statista in March 2023. It was one of only five hospitals in Connecticut to make the 2023 World’s Best Hospitals list.

*UConn John Dempsey Hospital was named among the “Best Hospitals: Produces & Conditional Ratings” for both its heart attack and stroke care by U.S. News & World Report. These ratings are based on each hospital’s patient outcomes as well as other factors that matter to patients, like the quality of their experience.