FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 6, 2001 CONTACT: L isa Lacher, (515) 271-3119 DRAKE RECEIVES TOP SCORE IN ITS CATEGORY FOR ACADEMIC REPUTATION IN U.S. NEWS ANNUAL RANKINGS Drake University received the top score for academic reputation among 145 Midwest colleges and universities, tying with Creighton University for the honor in the annual college rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report magazine. Last year Drake placed second in academic reputation behind Creighton. "The rankings are fantastic news for both Drake University and Des Moines," said Tom Willoughby, dean of admission and financial aid at Drake. "To have the leading academic reputation out of 145 Midwestern Universities, speaks volumes about our University community." In the overall rankings of Midwest Universities-Master's, Drake ranked third behind Valparaiso University and Creighton University. Drake was third last year as well. In past years, Drake was ranked among "regional universities," which tend to draw students heavily from surrounding states. U.S. News still ranks these 573 universities within four regions (North, South, Midwest and West) but the category has been renamed to reflect the schools' mission: providing a full range of undergraduate- and master's-level programs, and few, if any, doctoral programs. Drake jumped to fifth from seventh place in the "best value" category for Midwestern institutions classified as Universities-Master's. The magazine noted that 55 percent of Drake students receive grants based on need and that the average cost after receiving grants based on need was $14,382. "Our high ranking in the 'best value' category demonstrates Drake's commitment to maintain a high quality education that is more affordable than many students and families realize," Willoughby said. U.S. News' annual "America's Best Colleges" special issue and complete guidebook will be on newsstands and in bookstores next week. All of the U.S. News rankings are available at www.usnews.com.