Last year Fairfield tied for the No. 4 position among colleges in the Northeast with masters programs, according to U.S. News ‘ World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges 2007”.
This year, Fairfield is tied with Loyola College in Maryland and Providence College for the No. 2 ranking in that category.
According to the U.S. News ‘ World Report Web site, 574 universities are surveyed and ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, West and Midwest.
The groupings are derived from the basic classification framework established by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2006, according to the Web site.
Academic Vice President Orin Grossman said in a press release that he is always pleased when Fairfield places well in various college guides. However, he said he wants prospective students and their parents to know that such guides are limited in what they can measure.
This is the 17th year that U.S. News ‘ World Report has ranked the University in the top four among universities in the Northeast with masters degree programs.
Although U.S. News ‘ World Report separates schools with graduate programs from those without, the schools are ranked based on the same general criteria.
“The U.S. News ratings provide some useful information, but there are so many quantifiable attributes that contribute to a successful college experience, such as the individual attention given by a professor, the Jesuit emphasis on issues of social justice, the integration of student living and learning experiences and the real-world connections provided by internships, study abroad and research opportunities,” said Grossman in a press release.
Joe Ginese, a former Fairfield graduate student, who received his MBA at Fairfield, chose to go Fairfield based on the University’s reputation and credentials.
“I chose to go to Fairfield because of its rankings, specifically the AACSB International accreditation and the small class size,” said Ginese.
Still, Grossman stressed the importance of assessing the school based on more than just ranking. Getting to know the Fairfield campus and its ammenities, for example, is an important part of becoming integrated into its community.
“So, while I always like to see Fairfield at the top of its league, I also encourage parents and students to visit Fairfield to get a first-hand experience,” said Grossman.
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