Washington schools ranked in annual nationwide list

SEATTLE -- The University of Washington dropped slightly on U.S. News & World Report's annual list of college rankings, just a couple of places shy of the top 50.

The UW placed 52nd on the national list of schools, but remained in the top 20 among all public universities in the U.S.

According to The Seattle Times, UW reached its highest ranking in 2010, when it placed 41st on the 2011 list. Some schools that ranked below the UW back then were placed higher than it this time around. As The Times reports, UW officials believe U.S. News & World Report may have predicted a higher graduation rate, thus causing the university to drop a little on the list.



Washington State University also dropped slightly in U.S. News & World Report's national rankings, down three places to 128th this year. Gonzaga University, Seattle University and Whitworth University placed near the top among regional schools. Several other Washington institutions also received mentions in that category.

The U.S. News & World Report list is watched closely by students, parents and education experts. This year, it provided data on nearly 1,800 colleges and universities, with information such as tuition and acceptance rates.

The entire list of rankings for schools nationwide is available on the U.S. News & World Report website.