U.S. News & World Report ranked Mason #1 up-and-coming university

George Mason University was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 up-and-coming university (photo courtesy of Jake McLernon).

On September 13, U.S. News & World Report released its annual college rankings. The review recognized George Mason University as the #1 “up-and-coming” university. Mason has the "most promising and innovative changes in the areas of academics, faculty, and student life," according to the U.S. News website.

Mason tied first place with University of Maryland – Baltimore County.

According to a news release by the university, U.S. News listed Mason’s “Writing Across the Curriculum Program” as the “Program to Look For” for the 11^th consecutive year.

U.S. News determines its rankings based off of surveys of college administrators.

In the news release, the university cited several projects and initiatives that contributed to Mason’s success, including $700 million invested in campus construction since 2009, a growing number of students living on-campus, and construction of a biomedical research laboratory.

Overall, Mason was ranked 139^th best university in the nation.