Kearney. Neb. - The University of Nebraska at Kearney recently was ranked as a Top 10 Public Regional University in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

The top-10 ranking is a first for the campus, which saw the 2010-11 academic year begin on August 23rd.

With its rank of ninth, UNK is the only Nebraska university on the Top 10 list in the magazine's annual "Best Colleges" edition. UNK was ranked the No. 15 public university in the same category for the past two years.

UNK also moved up from number 62 to 43 in the full list of 107 "Best Regional Public and Private Universities" in the Midwest, a category defined last year as best master's-level universities.

In addition to Nebraska schools, the list of 107 schools includes universities in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“There is only one way to describe UNK these days,” UNK Chancellor Doug Kristensen told the Kearney Hub. “We're making progress on all fronts. But it is especially gratifying that our academic indicators — as reported consistently by U.S. News & World Report — are also steadily improving.”

The overall ranking score is a composite of scores in several specific categories. UNK measures equal to or better than the average of its board of regents-defined peer group in 10 of these 11 scores, an improvement from eight scores above average on last year's chart.

Below is the U.S. News list (top 10), along with current NCAA affiliations (conference listed if a D2 member).

U.S. News Rankings Top Regional Public Schools — Midwest Rank

1. Truman State U., Mo. - NCAA Division II (MIAA)

2. U. of Wisconsin - La Crosse - NCAA Division III

3. U. of Northern Iowa - NCAA Division I

4. U. of Illinois - Springfield - NCAA Division II (GLVC)

5. U. of Wisconsin - Eau Claire - NCAA Division III

6. U. of Michigan - Dearborn - NAIA

7. (tie) Grand Valley State U., Mich. - NCAA Division II (GLIAC)

            U. of Minnesota-Duluth - NCAA Division II (NSIC)

9. (tie)  U. of Nebraska at Kearney - NCAA Division II (RMAC)

             U. of Wisconsin - Stevens Point - NCAA Division III

Other Schools of Note

16. Washburn U., Kan. - NCAA Division II (MIAA)

             17. (tie) U. of Nebraska at Omaha - NCAA Division II (MIAA)

                         Minnesota State U. at Mankato - NCAA Division II (NSIC)

             22. Pittsburg State U., Kan. - NCAA Division II (MIAA)

             24 (tie) U. of Central Missouri - NCAA Division II (MIAA)
              
                         SE Missouri State U.  NCAA Division I
            
             29. Emporia State U., Kan. - NCAA Division II (MIAA)

             33. (tie) Wayne State College - NCAA Division II (NSIC)
                  
                        U. of Michigan - Flint - no intercollegiate athletics
 
              37. (tie) NW Missouri State U. - NCAA Division II (MIAA)
 
                     SW Minnesota State U. - NCAA Division II (NSIC)