BOONE—Appalachian State University remains third among top public regional universities in the South and retains 10th place among the top regional universities in the South, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2013 America’s Best Colleges Guide.

“Appalachian continues to be a top choice for high school seniors in North Carolina and across the region. They know what U.S. News has affirmed – that Appalachian is recognized for its excellent classroom instruction, research opportunities for undergraduates and programs that support students’ academic success,” said Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock.

The university has placed among the top 15 public and private southern universities since the rankings first appeared in 1986.

Appalachian moved up to seventh place in the guidebook’s “Great Schools, Great Prices” category among its list of regional universities in the South. This category is listed only online. Last year, the university was listed 12th among southern regional universities. The rankings are based on a school’s academic quality, its U.S. News Best Colleges 2013 ranking, and the 2011-12 net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid, according to the guidebook.

The university is listed at No. 5 in the “Up and Coming Schools” category in the South, institutions that college administrators think “have recently made the most promising and innova-tive changes in the areas of academics, faculty, student life, campus, or facilities. The colleges and universi¬ties included in this category were ones that were cited most often by college presidents, provosts and admissions deans who were asked to identify up to 10 up-and-coming schools in their U.S. News ranking category,” according to the guidebook.

Appalachian’s First Year Seminar program is included in the “Programs to Look For” category and is considered an “A-Plus Schools for B Students.”

Universities included in “The Top Public Regional Universities” in the South are:

1. The Citadel (SC)
2. James Madison University (VA)
3. Appalachian State University (NC)
4. College of Charleston (SC)
5. UNC Wilmington
6. Univ. of Mary Washington (VA)
7. Murray State University (KY)
8. Christopher Newport Univ. (VA)
9. Winthrop University (SC)
10. Georgia College & State University (GA)

Other universities appearing in the magazine’s “Top Regional Universities in the South” category are:

1. Rollins College
2. Elon University
3. Stetson University
4. Samford University
5. The Citadel
6. James Madison University
7. Belmont University
8. Mercer University
9. Loyola University
10. Appalachian State University

Universities in this category are not ranked nationally but rather against their peer group in one of four geo¬graphic regions.

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