In the 2016 U.S. News and World Report rankings released today, Cornell University was ranked No. 15 nationally, out of 268 institutions. Among Ph.D.-granting institutions, the College of Engineering ranked No. 9, and the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ranked No. 10 among undergraduate business programs.

Considering engineering specialties, Cornell earned a No. 5 spot in the engineering science/engineering physics category. In the other engineering subcategories, Cornell had several fields ranked in the top 10: biological /agricultural engineering (8), civil (9), computer (10), electrical/electronic/communications (10), environmental/environmental health (10), industrial/manufacturing (10), materials (8) and mechanical (8).

For the business subcategories, Cornell ranked No. 11 in the quantitative analysis ranking and No. 12 in real estate.

In the publication’s new category – most innovative schools – Cornell holds the No. 12 spot. As part of this reputational survey, university presidents, provosts and admissions deans were asked to list schools that are making key innovations for curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology and facilities.

In the economic diversity category, Cornell rose to No. 8, up one notch up from last year, as measured by the number of students receiving Pell grants, and the university landed at No. 8 among high school counselors' picks.

Based on graduation and retention rates, faculty quality, peer institution assessments and high school guidance counselor surveys, Cornell ranked No. 17 on the “great schools, great prices” list, which compares academic excellence with the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average need-based financial aid.