Date: 08/24/2009

San José State Among Top 20 in the West, Engineering Nationally Ranked

Contact:
Pat Lopes Harris, SJSU Media Relations, 408-924-1748

SAN JOSÉ, Calif., -- Once again, San José State University has excelled in the U.S. News & World Report college rankings. The 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges," now available at newsstands and online, shows San José State ranked 12th overall among the West's top public universities offering bachelor's and master's degrees, one place ahead of last year.

"It is wonderful to receive national recognition for our hard work," President Jon Whitmore said. "This shows San José State is moving forward even during troubled times."

SJSU also ranked sixth for racial diversity among universities in the West offering bachelor's and master's degrees. Leveraging this strength, San José State recently became the first California State University campus to develop a campuswide diversity master plan. The plan asks all students, faculty and staff members to re-commit to the principles of diversity, fairness and social justice.

"A model of the global society to come, San José State University is a leader in graduating students of diverse backgrounds, including thousands who are the first in their family to attend college," President Whitmore said.

SJSU's Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering received top marks, ranking 19th nationwide among engineering schools offering bachelor's and master's degrees. San José State was one of just three CSU campuses to make the top 20 in engineering. San José State University's undergraduate computer and industrial/manufacturing programs were ranked among the top five in the nation, the same as last year.

"I am delighted to receive recognition for our work as the largest provider of engineers to Silicon Valley," said Belle Wei, dean of the Davidson College of Engineering. "The current economic downturn underscores the importance of our contributions toward the education of young people powering Silicon Valley's innovation engine."

Read more from U.S. News & World Report.

San José State -- Silicon Valley's largest institution of higher learning with 30,000 students and 5,700 employees -- is part of the California State University system. SJSU's 154-acre downtown campus anchors the nation's 10th largest city.