DAB Campus Rates First In Aerospace; Prescott 'Only' Third

Arguably the most widely-recognized aeronautical university, Embry-Riddle is once again ranked as a top school in the annual "America's Best Colleges" book published by US News & World Report.

The university, which has one of the largest aeronautical engineering programs in the US, has won the top spot in the "Aerospace/Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering Programs" category every year since 2001, when the category was introduced.

This year is no different, as Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus took first place in the category, which includes schools offering a master's as the highest degree. The US Air Force Academy came in second place, with ERAU's Prescott, AZ campus following in third.

"For the eighth year in a row, US News has honored Embry-Riddle for outstanding achievement in 'Aerospace Engineering' and in the 'overall Undergraduate Engineering' category," said the university's president, Dr. John P. Johnson. "We are extremely proud of this accomplishment and think it is a reflection of Embry-Riddle's quality faculty, staff, and students in our engineering departments and throughout the university." 

In the broader category of "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs," including schools offering a master's as the highest degree, both Embry-Riddle campuses rank in the top 20. Embry-Riddle's Daytona Beach campus shares number 9 with Villanova, and Embry-Riddle's Prescott campus is tied with several schools at number 20. In the broad Southern-region category of "Best Universities - Master's," the Daytona Beach campus ranks as number 13.

Rankings for the engineering programs are based on the judgments of deans and senior faculty who rate each program they are familiar with. For the overall category of "Best University," these rankings are based on (25%), graduation and retention rates (25%), faculty resources (20%), student selectivity (15%), financial resources (10%), and alumni giving rate (5%). 

The August 27 edition of US News & World Report will contain highlights of the college rankings, while the 2008 America's Best Colleges guide will be available on August 20.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers more than 30 degree programs in its colleges of Business, Arts and Sciences, Aviation, and Engineering. It is the world's largest fully accredited aeronautical university.

FMI: www.embryriddle.edu