Delaware State improves academic ranking

Delaware State University is moving up in the rankings among the nation’s top Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

DSU, located in Dover, is rated 15th among 72 HBCUs on the annual list released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

DSU is tied with South Carolina State University for 15th place. Among Mid-Atlantic Region schools, DSU joins Howard University (2nd), Hampton University (4th) and Morgan State University (18th) that made the top 20 HBCUs in the 2012 ranking.

School President Harry Lee Williams says the ultimate goal is becoming No. 1 on the list, but adds the University is moving in the right direction.

“It shows what happens when we focus, stay on task with clear goals and remain consistent with the vision that we have developed for this University,” he said. “We are happy, but not satisfied; we are encouraged by the latest ranking and remain steadfast in our efforts to become the best.”

When the U.S. News & World Report first published its HBCU ranking in 2008, DSU ranked No. 22, and then rose to No. 17 in 2009 and 2010.  

The HBCU rankings are based on assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving.

Spelman College of Atlantic, Ga., is ranked as the top HBCU in the country by the magazine, a distinction it has held since 2008.