UMR is again one of the nation’s top graduate engineering schools, according to U.S. News and World Report‘s latest rankings of graduate schools. The magazine also includes UMR’s graduate programs in civil engineering, computer engineering and mechanical engineering in its national rankings.

UMR improved its rankings by two positions from last year and now is ranked 71st among the nation’s best graduate engineering schools by U.S. News. UMR’s rankings are included in the U.S. News guidebook’s "premium" online edition.

In addition, three UMR graduate engineering programs are included in U.S. News’ online rankings:

• Civil engineering, which is ranked 45th in the nation.
• Computer engineering, ranked 57th.
• Mechanical engineering, ranked 48th.

"This is tremendous news for UMR," says Dr. Y.T. Shah, UMR’s provost. "These U.S. News rankings not only recognize UMR’s exceptional graduate engineering programs, but also show that we are gaining recognition for recent advances in sponsored research and expanded graduate program offerings. "

UMR is gaining recognition for undergraduate engineering as well. Last fall, U.S. News listed UMR at No. 51 in its listing of the best undergraduate engineering schools. UMR’s civil engineering program was also ranked No. 24 in the nation among undergraduate programs.

Shah says that UMR’s recent efforts to increase research funding and expand graduate programs have helped UMR become more widely recognized. UMR’s creation of online graduate programs in engineering management, systems engineering and mining engineering in recent years have also helped to expand the campus’ offerings. UMR also offers graduate-level distance-education to the military at nearby Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.