UA School of Law Ranked 40th in Latest U.S. News Listing; Business School Also Highly Rated
For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report has ranked The University of Alabama School of Law among the Top 50 law schools in the nation.
UA's School of Law is ranked 40th in U.S. News' 2005 edition of its annual "Best Graduate Schools" publication. The ranking is the highest ever for the UA Law School.
"The Law School is immensely proud to have achieved its highest national ranking ever," says Ken Randall, dean of the UA School of Law. "For the first time in our history, we are a top 40 law school. For the past five years, we were a top 50 law school, but 2004 represents another milestone in the Law School's upward trajectory."
"We are the 17th best public law school in the United States," Randall says. "Every citizen in the state of Alabama can be proud that our state has a nationally recognized law school."
In the mid 1990s, Alabama was ranked in the third tier of all law schools. Over a six-year period, the law school has moved up approximately 40 to 50 spots in the rankings.
"The law school's progress has been mapped out under a strategic plan for academic excellence," Randall says. "This latest achievement is a tribute to the law faculty, our staff and students, and to all of our graduates. The law school enjoys the support of the entire University of Alabama."
The national law school rankings involve a reputation assessment by lawyers and judges around the country, as well as by legal educators throughout the United States. On an objective basis, the ranking includes statistics in the areas of admissions, bar passage, and career services.
"The success of our law library and of our clinical programs is also included in our national ranking," Randall says. "The Alabama law faculty, staff, and students have done a tremendous job in making possible the academic achievements that are reflected in this latest ranking. The Law School's educational aspirations are high, and it is gratifying that the institution's success is reflected in the U.S. News & World Report."
The UA School of Law is Alabama's only public law school. About 80 percent of its students are Alabamians. Some 97 percent of the May 2003 graduates of the UA School of Law who took the Alabama bar exam in July passed. Overall, 94 percent of the UA graduates who took the exam in July passed, compared with an overall state rate of 70 percent.
The Manderson Graduate School of Business at UA is ranked 61st by U.S. News & World Report. The Alabama MBA is one of the most selective in the country, with 37 percent selectivity.
For the business school's rankings, all 377 accredited master's programs were surveyed, according to U.S. News & World Report's Web site. Among the data used to compile the rankings were ratings from business school deans, corporate recruiters, and directors of accredited business school programs. The strength of the programs' students—based on standardized test scores and grades—are also weighed, and graduates' salary figures and employment rates are factored in the rankings.
"We're delighted our MBA program continues to be nationally recognized," says Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of UA's Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. "Our program provides our graduates with a tremendous value at a reasonable cost." Mason cited the leadership of UA President Robert E. Witt and Provost Judy Bonner in the University's continued progress. "Our goal is to continue to improve every year," Mason says of the College's programs.
The hallmark of UA's MBA program is the selection of a diverse academic and professional class that has high achievement and high potential for leadership.
KeyFacts
Four students from The University of Alabama have been named to the 2004 USA Today All-USA College Academic Team. UA came in second only to Harvard which had five team members and tied Northwestern at four in total number of students on the prestigious team.
Last year, five UA students were chosen for 2003 team, the most of any school that year. A total of 82 students nationwide were selected for this year's team; 83 students were named to the 2003 team.
The University of Alabama is ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report.
The University of Alabama's graduates include 15 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Goldwater Scholars, and nine Truman Scholars. Our most recent Rhodes Scholar is Bradley Tuggle, an English major who received the award in 2001.
The University of Alabama's chapter of the prestigious liberal arts honor society Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest of the three chapters in the state.
Approximately 66 percent of UA's undergraduates receive some type of financial aid.
UA ranks as one of the top public universities in enrollment of National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars. More than 300 of these students are currently enrolled at Alabama.
For over a decade, The University of Alabama has been one of the top public flagship universities in the Southeast in enrollment of African-American students. In fall 2003, African-Americans comprised 10 percent of enrolled freshmen, 14 percent of total undergraduate enrollment, and 13 percent of the student body overall.
Across our beautiful 1,000-acre campus, several buildings dating back to the founding of the university are still in use today—alongside other historic structures and recent construction housing state-of-the-art technology. We offer excellent facilities for study and research, including campus-wide computer labs, multimedia classrooms, and online libraries.
More than 33 percent of the university's entering freshmen and 21 percent of all undergraduates received merit scholarships for the academic year 2002-03.
The University of Alabama debate team holds 14 national championships—two more than our football team!
UA offers 220 degree programs.
Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama was the state's first university.
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