For 13th Straight Year, Cal Poly Is Best in the West in U.S. News Rankings

For the 13th year in a row, Cal Poly has been rated the best public-master's university in the West by U.S. News & World Report, in its 2006 America's Best Colleges guidebook.

Cal Poly retained its No. 5 position in the magazine's overall list of the West's best universities, including both public and private institutions that provide "a full range of undergraduate and master's-level programs but few, if any, doctoral programs."

U.S. News ranks colleges that grant doctoral degrees, such as those in the University of California system, in a separate category.

"Receiving this national recognition for so many years in a row is a reflection of the high caliber of our faculty, staff and students. It also demonstrates how the support of our alumni, donors and industry partners contributes to the excellence of our programs," commented President Warren J. Baker."

U.S. News also names "programs to look for," defined as "outstanding examples of academic programs that are believed to lead to student success." Cal Poly is recognized as a leader in internships/co-ops.

Also earning a top spot in the magazine's Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs - for schools whose highest degree is a bachelor's or master's - Cal Poly's College of Engineering tied with the U.S. Military and U.S. Naval academies as the No. 1 program at a public school.

"This year we're pleased to see that we have the very best engineering program for a public university in the nation. This is a tribute to our dedicated faculty, outstanding students and strong emphasis on project-based learning," said Engineering Dean Peter Y. Lee.

A number of College of Engineering programs also ranked high in the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs in their individual specialty categories. Cal Poly's programs in computer, electrical, mechanical, and industrial/manufacturing were each ranked as the top program at a public university in their respective specialty categories. The civil engineering program ranked No. 2.

The U.S. News rankings will be available at www.usnews.com starting Aug. 19 and will be in the U.S. News & World Report magazine that goes on sale Monday, Aug. 22.

Media contact: Stacia Momburg, (805) 756-6260 or 756-1511