US News ranks Brandeis 33rd in nation

University also listed as one of the 'Great Schools at Great Prices'

Once again, Brandeis University has been named one of the best national universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. In rankings for 2013 released Sept. 12, Brandeis placed 33rd in the nation.

Among the positive factors cited by U.S. News are Brandeis’ comparatively small class size – only 8 percent of classes have 50 or more students ­– and low, 10:1 student-faculty ratio.

The university also ranked 31st in the rating of “Great Schools at Great Prices.” Best-value schools are selected on the basis of academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid – a measure that reflects Brandeis’ commitment to provide access through financial support.

The U.S. News rankings compared Brandeis with 199 other top-tier national institutions that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral degrees, and that emphasize research.

This year Brandeis was tied for 33rd place with the College of William and Mary and the University of Rochester. Other Boston-area schools on the list include Harvard (#1), MIT (#6), Tufts (#28), Boston College (#31), Boston University (#51) and Northeastern University (#56).

Since 2000, Brandeis’ rank has remained consistent – always between #31 and #34.

U.S. News & World Report has released its rankings since 1983 and today, despite competitors and criticism from some quarters, continues to dominate the college-ranking business.