U.S. News & World Report ranked Western Oregon University highest of Oregon’s regional public universities in the 2017 annual higher education rankings released today. WOU was named 19^th among “top public schools” in the regional universities (west) category and 67^th overall in regional universities (west) category (10 spots up from last year’s 77^th ranking).

These rankings reflect WOU’s deep commitment to academic quality and student success. U.S. News collected data on up to 15 indicators of academic excellence, including graduation and first-year student retention rates, assessment by administrators at peer institutions, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, alumni giving, and graduation rate performance.

“Western’s steady improvement in the rankings demonstrates the university’s long-standing commitment to student success,” WOU President Rex Fuller said. “Western continues to be a university where access, affordability and opportunity lead to degree attainment for all students. These rankings are a positive reflection of our leading role meeting Oregon’s higher education goals.”