Ball State University's undergraduate entrepreneurship and freshman programs are among the country's best, according to U.S. News and World Report magazine.

In the publication's annual rankings of top business programs offered by the nation's leading colleges and universities, Ball State's undergraduate entrepreneurship is fourth behind Babson College, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. Last year the program was fifth.

The rankings were released today and may be viewed online at www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/eduhome.htm

"I am truly proud to see our entrepreneurship program climb so high in the national rankings," said Donald F. Kuratko, the program's founding director. "This validates the reputation we have established among the finest business schools in the nation, especially since U.S. News and World Report is the premier ranking for universities."

U.S. News polled deans and senior faculty at undergraduate business programs accredited by AACSB International — The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. They were asked to rate the quality of specialty programs with which they were familiar on a scale of 1 to 5 from marginal to excellent.

"The entrepreneurship program is a jewel in the Miller College of Business crown," said Lynne Richardson, dean of the college. "We are delighted that the program continues to be recognized as one of the best in the country."

Ball State's program to improve freshman success was listed under "programs to look for" in the first-year experience category by the magazine. The publication listed universities that developed a program to make freshmen feel more connected to the campus, which increases retention and overall student success.

Ball State has a number of innovative and award-winning programs that help students with the transition to college. The majority of these programs were launched in 1997 through the combined efforts of Ball State's Student Affairs and Academic Affairs divisions. Lilly Endowment Inc. provided the initial funding for the programs with a $3 million grant targeted at increasing retention.

"We believe the ranking shows we are respected by our peers," said Thomas Lowe, associate provost and dean of University College. "It also shows the huge progress Ball State has made in this area in the last few years."

The programs recently earned Ball State the distinction of being named among the nation's 13 Institutions of Excellence in the First College Year by the Policy Center on the First Year of College.

"We believe the rankings by U.S. News and World Report send an important message to parents that we have a quality university," said Douglas McConkey, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. "I also think this type of information assists parents and students when they are trying to select a college or university."

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Kuratko at dkuratko@bsu.edu or (765) 285-9002. Lowe may be reached at tlowe@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1511 and McConkey at dmcconkey@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1444.)