US News 2011 Drexel Ranked Nations Number Two Up-and-Coming School

For the third consecutive year, Drexel University has made the “up-and-coming” short list of national universities that have achieved the “most promising and innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus or facilities,” according to U.S.News & World Report for the 2011 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Drexel’s ranked second out of only 20 universities in the country on the list, according to the survey report released today. Drexel, founded in 1891, tied for first place among private universities.These are “universities that have recently made striking improvements or innovations — schools everyone should be watching,” according to the publication. Drexel’s history of innovation continues today and includes: • First university to require all students to have personal computers • First university to offer a fully online master’s degree • First major university to install a campus-wide wireless network • Among the first major universities to use Apple iPods in teaching • First U.S.-based university to install an eco-friendly, living bio wall, to be completed in 2011. Drexel continued its upward path in overall rankings by advancing from 88th to 86th place in the 2011 U.S. News ranking of America’s Best National Universities, which would position Drexel 48th among private universities. Drexel is one of only two Philadelphia-based national universities ranked in the nation’s top 100. The U.S. News rankings group schools based on categories created by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Enrolling more than 22,000 students, Drexel is the nation’s 14th largest private university and is widely recognized for its focus on experiential learning through its cooperative education program, technology and use-inspired research. The University has three campuses in Philadelphia and a Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. ### News media contact: Niki Gianakaris, director, Drexel News Bureau 215-895-6741, 215-778-7752 (cell) or ngianakaris@drexel.edu