Butler University is tied for first place as the most innovative school among Midwestern regional universities, according to the US News and World Report The best colleges rankings for 2016. The rankings, released today, are the result of voting by college presidents, professors and deans of admissions, who were asked to identify the colleges or universities making the most innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.
“We added this ranking so college officials can select schools that the public should watch because of the cutting-edge changes taking place on their campuses,” the magazine said.
Butler President James M. Danko, who has emphasized the importance of innovation since he took over the University four years ago, said the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to undergraduate, home-based education permeate Butler University.
“We encourage the kind of interdisciplinary, creative thinking that enriches our campus and serves our students well throughout their lives,” Danko said. “I am pleased to see that other universities have taken note of our efforts.”
Butler also finished No. 7 in the Midwest for Best Undergraduate Teaching, which ranks schools that emphasize undergraduate education, as opposed to the graduate research that is a priority at many universities.
And Butler again finished in the top 15 best value schools in the Midwest. This calculation takes into account the academic quality of a school, based on this US News Best Colleges ranking and the 2014–2015 net cost of tuition for a student who received the average level of need-based financial aid.
Butler also finished among the top schools in four other categories:
-No. 2 overall among Midwest Regional Universities, Butler has received this designation for the sixth year in a row.
-No. 2 in the Midwest under Best Colleges for Veterans — top-ranked schools that offer benefits to veterans “that can help make their pursuit of a college education more affordable,” according to the magazine.
-One of the nation's Best Undergraduate Business Programs, based on surveys of business school deans and senior faculty.
– Again on the list of A+ schools for B students—”colleges and universities … where spirit and hard work could make a difference at the admissions office.”
Furthermore, US news invited college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions from more than 1,500 schools to nominate outstanding examples of “academic programs to look out for.” Butler finished among the nation's top schools in the categories of first-year experience (ways first-year students connect with faculty or staff on a regular basis), internships, undergraduate research, service learning and study abroad.
“These rankings are a testament to the success of our students and the tireless work of our faculty and staff to engage and support them,” Danko said. “Our academic excellence, innovative approach and educational outcomes have laid a solid foundation for continued success and recognition.”
Media contact:
Mark Allan
mallan@butler.edu
317-940-9822
