U.S. News rankings: UofSC retains top spot in international business, first-year student experience – USC News & Events

Posted on: September 9, 2022; Updated on: September 9, 2022
By
Megan Sexton, [email protected], 803-777-1421

The University of South Carolina has retained its ranking as the top first-year student
experience of any public college in the country and the best international business
program, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual undergraduate rankings released Monday (Sept. 12).

This is the fourth consecutive year South Carolina has been ranked as the No. 1 public
institution in the first-year experience category and the 24^th straight year for the top ranking in international business.

“Being ranked No. 1 for the 24^th consecutive year reflects the bright, ambitious students, world-class faculty and
the comprehensive global curriculum our undergraduate international business program
has become known for across the country,” says Darla Moore School of Business Dean
Peter Brews. “The Moore School is proud of the comprehensive education its undergraduate
international business students receive, which includes unmatched coverage of the
complexities of global business, significant coursework in a second functional major
and mastery of a second language. This outstanding preparation equips graduates for
business careers at leading organizations, wherever they may be based.”

The undergraduate business program moved up to the 26^th best program among public universities and to No. 39 overall.

The first-year student experience ranking comes at the same time as the core class,
University 101, celebrates its 50^th year. The first-year seminar helps students adjust to college life, thrive on campus
and discover all of the university’s offerings. U-101 is the largest single course
offering at USC, with 295 sections of the course being taught to first-year students
this fall.

In another facet of the student experience, the university’s living and learning communities
moved up on this year’s U.S. News rankings to No. 6 among the nation’s public institutions and to No. 16 overall. The
university has 13 living and learning communities, including nine that are led by
faculty, offering students the chance to pursue academic and personal interests, engage
with their peers and interact with faculty.

 “Continued recognition of our excellence at the national level demonstrates the extraordinary
commitment that our world-class faculty and staff have for our talented students,”
says Donna Arnett, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Our
leading first-year student experience and innovative learning communities show our
commitment to providing students with a transformational on-campus experience. Our
No. 1 ranked international business program is preparing leaders for the workforce
of tomorrow. I look forward to continuing to strengthen our educational offerings
to students in the years to come.”

Other ranking highlights: 

• The Columbia campus is ranked No. 53 among public universities and No. 115 overall.
• The university ranked No. 16 among public institutions and No. 54 nationally in the
  Best Undergraduate Teaching Among National Universities category.
• The university’s undergraduate nursing program ranked No. 37 among public institutions
  and No. 51 overall.
• The College of Engineering and Computing’s computer science programs improved to No.
  56 among public institutions and No. 94 overall.
• The business school’s marketing program improved to No. 20 among public institutions
  and No. 33 overall.
• The university was included in the Best Colleges for Veterans, Best Value Schools
  and Social Mobility categories.
• South Carolina’s comprehensive universities also were recognized in the new guide.
  Having expanded its graduate-level offerings, USC Aiken moved from a “college” to
  a “university” category this year. It was ranked No. 20 among public regional universities
  in the South and No. 49 among all regional universities in the South. It also was
  included as a Best Value School and a Top Performer on Social Mobility among regional
  universities.
• Upstate ranked as the No. 2 public regional college in the South, while USC Beaufort
  is the No. 16 public regional college in the South.

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Topics:
Faculty, University Leadership, Academics, Research, Experiential Learning, Undergraduate Admissions, Recognition, Darla Moore School of Business, College of Engineering and Computing, College of Nursing, University System