U.S. News and World Report ranked Yale University the nation’s No. 4 national university, and the University of Connecticut ranked No. 23 for public universities — one spot higher than last year.
In its annual rankings of higher education institutions across the country, the publication ranked Yale No. 4 — tied with MIT. U.S. News ranked Fairfield the No. 3 regional university in the north — behind Bentley University and Providence College, which tied for first. It also ranked Fairfield the No. 2 most innovative regional university.
UConn’s No. 23 placement marks its ninth consecutive year U.S. News has ranked the university in its top 25 ranked public universities. Provost Carl Lejuez on Monday said the elements that have consistently put UConn in the top quarter of the annual ranking are on track to continue and expand.
“Many of the components that led to our ranking align with the priorities of President Katsouleas, which will also form the basis of our strategic plan,” Lejuez said. “I look forward to launching that process and building on our community’s expertise to lay out a path toward UConn’s continued standing as a top-tier public research institution.”
However, financial pressures could affect initiatives at UConn, which is currently running a $74 million budget deficit — the largest in the university’s 130-year history.
U.S. News Editor Kim Castro said the list, which is supposed to inform prospective college students about the schools they’re considering, is important despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented to higher education.
“Whether students have slightly altered their college plans or changed them entirely, it remains our mission to continue providing students and their families with the tools they need to help find the right school for them.”
Another Connecticut higher education institution to receive top honors was Waterbury’s Post University, which was ranked No. 1 for economic diversity among regional universities.
