The University of Massachusetts has been ranked among the best
universities in the world by a British newspaper, the university said today.
UMass ranked 56th in the Times of London's Top 200. UMass was the
only public university in New England in the Top 200. It ranked fourth (behind
Harvard, MIT, and Tufts) in Massachusetts.
UMass, which was ranked as a five-campus system, was the 14th
highest-rated American public university and the 33rd highest American
institution, public or private, the university said.
UMass President Jack M. Wilson said in a statement that the
university is "truly a great university, and we are delighted to be
recognized in such a dramatic fashion."
The ranking comes as debate has swirled over the quality of the
university.
The Globe reported earlier this month that, despite improvement efforts that
date back generations, the UMass flagship, depleted by budget cuts, has had
trouble cracking the ranks of the nation's top schools.
The article generated a storm of criticism from university
officials, students, and alumni.
