ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø's bachelor's degree program in nutrition and dietetics has been ranked in the top 10 in the nation by Great Value Colleges.
IUP is the only ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø university selected for the top 10, placing IUP in the company of universities like Florida State University and Texas A&M University.
In making the selection, editors used independent data, student-faculty ratio, return on investment, customization within the degree program, and “an overall ‘wow' factor which highlights each program's unique offerings and sets it apart from the pack.”
Editors also praised IUP's “overall outstanding reputation, faculty excellence, and commitment to providing students with a high-quality education and the tools that they need to achieve their future career goals.”
IUP's unique coursework in topics like nutrition and disease, careers in food and nutrition, experimental foods, food consumption patterns, nutrition counseling, hospitality purchasing, and principles of management were highlighted by editors, as well as IUP's peer nutrition counseling service, interdisciplinary simulations, nutrition student organization, and nutrition-specific scholarships.
In December 2019, IUP's master's program in food and nutrition was ranked as one of the top graduate programs in the nation by Intelligent.com, an independent national higher education planning company. IUP was the only ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø university selected for this ranking.
Rankings were based on evaluation of student engagement, potential return on investment, and third-party evaluations.
“We are proud the value of our innovated learning opportunities for students has been recognized by Great Value Colleges,” Stephanie Taylor-Davis, professor and chair of IUP's Department of Food and Nutrition, said.
“Students in our programs benefit from faculty who prioritize excellent teaching and quality advising as foundational to student success. Faculty involve students in scholarship and other activities to reinforce the importance of evidence-based practice in nutrition and dietetics. Our department's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and service to the community provide a high level of experiential education infused across the curriculum. Coursework and professional development experiences are developed for students to build competencies and skills to become well rounded professionals ready to serve the public and advance the profession.”
IUP continues to be selected for national accolades. Recognitions and rankings during the 2019–20 academic year include:
- Selection for U.S. News & World Report's Best National Universities 2020, where IUP is ranked third in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø in the national university category for its ability to graduate students who receive federal Pell grants;
- Ranking as a top national university in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College 2020 Rankings, where IUP scored in the top 20 percent of all institutions for engagement, which includes a measurement of student engagement, student recommendations, student interaction, and breadth of opportunities for involvement;
- Washington Monthly's 2019 College Guide and Rankings, which recognizes universities “based on what they do for the country;” and
- Forbes Magazine's America's Top Colleges, one of only 40 colleges and universities in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. This listing showcases the institutions that deliver “top academics, best experiences, career success and lowest debt—the best in the country,” according to Forbes editors.
IUP also has been selected for national rankings that recognize value in online programs.
EduRef.net, a nationally recognized provider of college planning resources, named IUP to its “10 Most Affordable Accredited Online Colleges” ranking for 2020; IUP was ranked eighth in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø by Best Value Schools in its 2019 “Best Value Online Schools in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø;” and was ranked in the top 20 “Best Online Colleges and Universities” for 2019–20 in the nation by EdSmart.org, a nationally recognized publisher of college resources and rankings.
IUP offers more than 140 undergraduate majors and more than 60 graduate programs, including 14 doctoral programs. In addition, students can complete more than 65 minors and scores of specialized tracks and certificate programs, including certificates in athletic coaching, gerontology, photography and digital imaging, popular music, and public history.
IUP continues to add state-of-the-art programs of study for its students. Its newest undergraduate majors are public health and environmental engineering, both in-demand careers in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and throughout the nation.