Programming Language, Visual Communication & Multimedia, Information & Technology Management Lead the Nation

Carnegie Mellon's commitment to research and innovative education has again earned the university special recognition—twenty programs ranked in the top 10 nationwide, according to U.S. News & World Report magazine's list of America's Best Graduate Schools 2009.

Six Carnegie Mellon colleges and schools ranked near the top overall: the School of Computer Science (2), the College of Fine Arts (7), the College of Engineering (7), the Department of Psychology (9), the Heinz School of Public Policy and Management (10), and the Tepper School of Business (17).
 
The rankings hold special significance for the university because they're based on peer and recruiter surveys. In fall 2007 and early 2008, deans, directors, and other department chairs were asked to grade peer institutions on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Corporate recruiters who hire from previously ranked programs were also asked to rank programs using the same scale.

In addition to peer recognition, national rankings help the university form partnerships with industry leaders, which provide students with valuable hands-on experience. That experience also catches the eyes of the nation's top recruiters, who frequently visit campus to meet with students.

The rankings reflect the interdepartmental nature of a Carnegie Mellon education—for example, the Specification and Verification Center, which conducts research in programming languages, draws together faculty from computer science and electrical & computer engineering. Likewise, an MFA in visual communication & multimedia has its roots in both the Schools of Design and Art—a recent project to design posters touting reusable shopping bags, which was sponsored by Giant Eagle, showcases that symmetry.

Programs that ranked in the top five are: information systems (2), production/operations (2), and supply chain/logistics (3) in Tepper; computer engineering (4); programming language (1), artificial intelligence (2), and systems (4) in computer science; visual communication & multimedia (1) and industrial design (3) in CFA; information & technology management (1) and public policy analysis (4) in the Heinz School; and cognitive psychology (2).

Click here to learn more about the rankings.


--Douglas Phillips