Friday, August 22, 2008; Posted: 5:10 p.m. (CDT)
A handful of schools in our state have nabbed a big honor. At least three are named on the U.S. News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges. KSBI-TV's Kealey McIntire has a look at who made the cut.
From athletics to a beautiful campus to academic achievements, the University of Oklahoma has a lot to offer. It can now add to its resume number 108 on the list of America's Top Colleges.
"I was amazed," says Stephanie Straten, an incoming OU freshman.
"I was extremely excited," says Samantha Young, another incoming OU freshman.
At least one student was pleasantly unsurprised.
"I've generally been impressed with education here, just the level of academic success," says Jon Malone, an OU graduate student.
Malone says the students the university attracts makes it one of the top notch schools. U.S. News and World agrees. Seventy-five percent of the rankings are decided by data that assesses graduation and retention rates and faculty resources. Student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving are also included in that 75 percent.
"I think they're doing a great job with everything and they just continue every year to improve things," says Straten.
The University of Tulsa came in at number 83 on the list.
Oklahoma State University didn't make the list.
Gary Shutt, Director of Communications for OSU, says, "We're working hard to do better, but we feel like we're doing a good job of offering a good education."
He went on to say OSU offers the lowest tuition in the Big 12.
OSU also puts the OSU Ledger on its website to help prospective students. It has all the information U.S. News and World uses to create its list.
Meanwhile, Young says she feels the pressure to perform well in order to keep the school's resume near the top.
"Just a bit! I want to make sure and keep my grades up and kind of help with that statistic, but really, I just want to have the whole experience and I think OU is going to do a great job of giving that to me," says Young.
Oklahoma City University is named in three categories, including 11th in Great Schools, Great Prices.
