The University received one of its worst rankings in the U.S. News and World Report’s latest annual college ranking when it dropped six spots to number 135. The University reached its’ highest ranking in 2011 when it got number 124.

The U.S. News and World Report bases its ranking on multiple factors including financial resources, research, faculty salaries and student ratios. Each of these factors rely heavily on funding which is where the University has fallen short.

The rankings are also based on a university’s retention and graduation rates. The University has experienced one of its lowest return rates this semester due to the recent flood in Baton Rouge.

Combine the state budget issues with the recent flooding, and it is easy to see why the University has been so largely affected. In a recent Advocate article, F. King Alexander responded to the report saying, ‘“Well after nine years and 15 budget cuts, that’s what happens to you.”’  

All of the universities that ranked in the top 20 were private schools. Tulane University in New Orleans reached one of its highest rankings in 16 years at spot number 39.

The U.S. News and World Report is highly regarded and relied upon, but many have criticized the criteria used to determine the rankings. Alexander pointed out in a recent Advocate article that LSU gets no credit for being a low-tuition university where its students graduate in relatively lower debt.