FPU is designated among universities — master's west. These institutions, 557 nationwide, offer a full range of undergraduate and master's programs. For its rankings, U.S. News divides the classification in four regions: north, south, midwest and west.
Rankings are based on peer assessment, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, financial resources, alumni giving and other characteristics. "Our performance in U.S. News has been consistent for several years," said President D. Merrill Ewert. "We are happy to have this outside affirmation of our quality."
FPU programs stress solid academic preparation and a strong ethical foundation. Each year more than 2,000 traditional and adult students attend classes on the 42-acre main campus in southeast Fresno or at centers in North Fresno, Visalia and Bakersfield. The university also reaches 14,000 educators across the nation and around the world through professional development programs. The only four-year Christian university in California's Central Valley, FPU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
For more on the rankings, visit the U.S. News website at www.usnews.com. Excerpts of the listings are in the printed August 28 edition of the magazine. The full rankings will be published in the annual guidebook, America's Best Colleges.