Cleveland State University again is among the best colleges and universities in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

For the its 2017 Best Colleges guide, released Tuesday, September 13, U.S. News assessed nearly 1,600 four-year colleges and universities. CSU is one of only 298 institutions across the country listed within the “Best National Universities” category.

The rankings are based on several factors, including retention and graduation rates, student selectivity, faculty resources and assessments by academic peers and high school guidance counselors.

“CSU has taken significant steps to enhance academic quality, student success, and research productivity and it is extremely gratifying that our efforts continue to be recognized by our peers and by U.S. News,” says CSU President Ronald M. Berkman.

Over the last year, CSU has received significant national recognition for its continued efforts to raise academic standards, enhance its research enterprise, reduce student debt and improve graduation rates. This includes being ranked number one in the nation for increases in research spending in the Chronicle of Higher Education’s 2015 Almanac and receiving the 2015 Excellence and Innovation Award in the category of student success and college completion from the Association of State Colleges and Universities.

“This recognition from U.S. News is yet another indication that our efforts and innovations are having a positive impact for our students,” adds Berkman.

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