Here’s how Kansas colleges fared in the US News ranking of best schools in the US

Two Kansas colleges ranked in the top 200 on U.S. News and World Report’s annual ranking of national universities in the U.S. released Monday.

University of Kansas in Lawrence was Kansas’ highest-ranked university, nabbing the No. 124 spot and tying with eight other schools, including the University of Missouri.

The university of nearly 20,000 undergraduate students also ranked 60th among public schools, 68th among most innovative schools and 86th among best colleges for veterans, according to the report. It also has the 90th-best undergraduate engineering program in the country, tied with 11 other schools. It ranked 112th among schools with the best value.

Kansas State University in Manhattan ranked 170th overall and 83rd among public universities, the report said. It also ranked 90th for the best undergraduate engineering programs, tied with University of Kansas and 10 other schools.

Baker University in Baldwin City ranked 258th among national universities. The private university also earned the No. 191 spot among schools with the best social mobility.

Washburn University in Topeka and Wichita State University ranked between 298th and 389th among national universities, the report said.

Regional colleges and universities

Several Kansas schools also ranked among the top regional universities and colleges in the Midwest.

Kansas schools ranked in the top 50 for regional Midwest colleges include Benedictine College in Atchison at No. 14 and Bethel College in North Newton at No. 26. McPherson College ranked 31st and Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina nabbed the No. 38 spot. Sterling College ranked No. 46 and Ottawa University and Tabor College in Hillsboro tied at 49th.

Kansas schools ranked in the top 100 regional universities in the Midwest include Emporia State University in the No. 85 spot and Pittsburg State University ranking 86th. MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe ranked 91st and Friends University in Wichita ranked No. 98.

How are schools assessed and ranked?

U.S. News and World Report analyzed 1,452 U.S. schools that grant bachelor’s degrees. Their academic quality was assessed using 17 indicators.

Those include graduation and retention rates, social mobility, graduation rate performance, undergraduate academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, average alumni giving rate and graduate indebtedness.

Social factors such as athletics and student life weren’t considered.

U.S. News compiles its data from its own surveys and third-party reporting. Most schools report their data directly to the outlet.

To make valid comparisons, U.S. News groups schools by academic mission into 10 ranking cohorts including national universities, liberal arts colleges, regional universities, regional colleges and historically Black colleges and universities.

This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 1:38 PM.