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BELLINGHAM – For the ninth year in a row, Western Washington University is ranked second among public master’s-granting universities in the West, a region stretching from Texas to the Pacific, according to the 2006 U.S. News & World Report college rankings. Only two public schools are ranked in the top 20 among master’s-granting universities in the West. “We have envisioned Western as one of the best public master’s-granting universities in the country,” said President Karen W. Morse. “Students tell us they choose Western because of its reputation for academic excellence and faculty who provide a challenging learning environment. Their Western experience prepares them for a meaningful life – in their work, with their families and in their communities.” The ranking also places Western tied for 18th place among comparable schools – public and private – in the West. Since the first U.S. News rankings in 1987, Western has been highly rated in 17 of 19 years. Five other Washington schools were among the top 20 master’s-granting privates in the West: Gonzaga University, Whitworth College, Seattle University, Pacific Lutheran and Seattle Pacific universities. California Polytechnic-San Luis Obispo, the only other public institution in the top 20 among master’s-granting schools in the West, rated fifth overall and first among public institutions. U.S. News has separate categories for “national” (doctoral-granting or research) universities and liberal arts colleges and for specialties such as business and engineering. The news magazine’s annual rankings are posted on its Web site, http://www.usnews.com. Rankings are based on a variety of criteria including academic reputation, student selectivity and retention, faculty resources and financial resources. |
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